For the last few days, I have been feeling like I’m about to get a cold. To combat this, I have been extra careful to strengthen my body so that I can hopefully avoid getting sick at all. I have been taking vitamins, going to bed early, getting lots of rest, and drinking lots of orange juice. I have been building my body up so that it can be strong enough to fight the virus.
This morning as I was praying, it hit me how this is exactly what we need to do for our spirits as well. Sometimes, we can tell that our spirits are feeling very weak and are about to get sick. At those times, we need to be very careful to rest and build our spirits up again by praying in the Spirit, reading the word, worshiping, talking to Christian friends…all of our “spiritual vitamins!” When we do this, we can protect ourselves from the attacks of the enemy…from coming down with “spiritual colds” and being taken out of the race for a season.
Jesus’ temptation in the desert amazes me (Matthew 4:1-11). After fasting 40 days and nights, he was still strong enough to withstand the attacks of the enemy. I imagine that although the 40 days of fasting made his body weak, it made his spirit very strong. When our spirits are strong, it’s amazing what we can overcome — even when our bodies are weak.
Let’s build our spirits up during this season of Lent! We may have to fight hard to do that, but it’s what keeps us strong and healthy.
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God.” — Jude 1:20-21
Kelly Goddard is a children’s pastor, musician and worship leader who has served at Teen Camp the past two summers. Check out her website at www.kellygoddard.com.
