7 Ways to Strengthen Your Spirit, Soul and Body

Through the years, God has urged me to take better care of myself through scriptures like 3 John 1:2 (NIV): Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. Sometimes it took me a long time to listen to His promptings, but I can now say from experience that God’s ways work. His Word is filled with guidelines for good health and anyone who follows them will experience good results!

I want to share with you some of the lessons I've learned in my own personal journey. And I encourage you to apply these practical steps to your life and invest in your health-spirit, soul and body.

1. Prioritize what's important in your life.

There are many things we need and want to do each day. But if we want to be fully prepared for whatever comes our way, then we need to make spending time with God our top priority. These days, I'm much more intentional with my time. I take 10 to 15 minutes out of each day to plan and prioritize, and I save myself a lot of time and energy that way! I've also learned to schedule time for rest and recreation, and I encourage you to do the same. Allow yourself a few minutes here and there to simply rest and recharge.

2. Get all the rest you need.

Years ago, I could get by with only six hours of sleep each night. But now I need eight, so I go to bed early. Sometimes I get teased by my family if we're out somewhere visiting: "The streetlights are coming on, Mom. You'd better get home!" But I don't care what anybody says. I want to wake up feeling my best! I know that when I'm tired, it's easier to get angry, it's harder to pray and do what I need to do. So, rather than skimping on sleep, I encourage you to treat your body to the rest it truly needs.

3. Laugh often and do more of what you love.

When someone asks you "What do you do for fun?" do you find it hard to come up with a quick answer? I was that person quite a few years ago, and I had to actually learn how to enjoy life. Now when I have some downtime, I like to watch really good movies, spend time with my children and grandchildren, go shopping, and hang out with good friends—especially the ones who make me laugh. I encourage you to take some time to think over what brings out the best in you, and then do it.

4. Exercise and be active.

One of the best things you can do for your health is to simply move. When I first started working out with a trainer in my 60s, I got so sore that I actually felt as though I was sick. Eventually I got to the point where I enjoyed the feeling because I knew that it meant that I was making progress. If you want to form a habit of regular exercise, don't think and talk about how hard it is. Think about the results you will have if you are persistent! Even if you don't have much time to work out, doing something is better than doing nothing.

5. Eat foods that energize you.

The simple key to healthy eating is this: Eat the foods that come from God, as close as possible to the way God made them, and you can't go wrong. I eat at least one vegetable with every meal. Fresh fruit makes a great energy-boosting snack. If I eat often, it keeps my metabolism working. I try not to go more than three hours without eating something. And if I forget to take healthy snacks with me when I go out, I'll stop at a grocery store for something healthy to eat. Regardless of what you do, ask God to help you make right choices when it comes to the food you eat, and He will show you how to make good choices for your body.

6. Drink the water your body needs.

Many people prefer other beverages to water. But staying properly hydrated is a minor adjustment that will make a major difference in your life! I didn't like the taste of water at first, but my taste buds have readjusted. Now I drink water it because I love it, and it makes me feel good. I encourage you to drink the amount of water your body needs. A formula I use for myself is to divide your body weight by two, and then drink that many ounces of water each day.

7. Have a plan but don't get upset if your plan gets interrupted.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) says, In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. I'm all for having a plan, but there are very few days that work out exactly the way I've planned. And I've learned that that's okay! I think if we want to hear from God and be used by Him, we have to give Him room to interrupt our plans. He'll use us throughout the day if we listen for His voice and let Him lead us-and that's when life gets exciting!

God cares about everything that concerns you. Ask Him to help you plan your next steps toward healthy living. A few simple changes in your daily routine can help you to feel great!