Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.
Dear Ones: Spiritual Exercise! What is it? It is practical faith in action. When adversity comes against our trust in God, then we must exercise our faith to stand believing He is able to come through for us. It is a matter of choice: exercising our freewill. Moses challenged the people this way in Exodus 32:26, TLB. “He stood at the camp entrance and shouted, ‘All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come over here and join me.’ And all the Levites came.”
In a similar fashion Thomas Paine challenged the colonists not to be Sunshine patriots. The term “Sunshine Patriot” originated from his pamphlet “The American Crisis, No. 1” (1776). Paine used this phrase to criticize individuals who only supported the American cause when it was winning, but abandon it when faced with adversity or hardship. They had no staying power to the cause of liberty and did not believe that their appeal to Heaven could bring victory.
Opportunities for Spiritual Exercise
When we face adversity of any kind, we must be quick to exercise our faith believing that our Father is more than willing and able to help us now. Our wilderness experiences are where we get the most opportunities for spiritual exercise. Our faith muscles grow strong as we push against the onslaught of darkness attacking ourselves, our families and our nation. We make great progress toward our goal of conforming to the image of the Son.
Declaration: “My spiritual exercise is strengthening and growing my faith walk every day. It is a tonic and cure for all that I do. I am an overcomer; I am becoming more Christlike when I exercise my faith this way. It is a good day to be spiritually fit. Praise the Lord!” I bless you in Jesus’ name.