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Written by Nancy Ruegg for “From the Inside Out” @ http://nancyaruegg.com
View original post @ https://nancyaruegg.com/2022/03/17/how-strong-is-your-core/
How Strong Is Your Core?
March 17, 2022, by Nancy Ruegg
Fitness experts will tell you, strong core muscles of the mid-section greatly enhance your physical well-being, contributing to stability that prevents falls, minimization of strain that causes pain, as well as effective breathing that optimizes oxygen flow.
When core strength is absent, a person is likely to:
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have difficulty getting up from a chair without leverage
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struggle to bend down and tie his shoes
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find himself slouching
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lose his balance
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experience back pain
But it’s never too late to reverse such ills. Those same fitness experts recommend exercises: crunches, planks, and bridges—to name a few—although just a brisk walk engages core muscles and contributes to strength.
Of course, even more important than our physical fitness is spiritual strength, which raises a new question:
How strong is your core–of the soul?
Just as we can identify symptoms of physical weakness, we can identify soul-weakness when challenge mires us in such thoughts as: Why me? This is so unfair. If God cared, this wouldn’t be happening.
However, it’s never too late to reverse such ills. Our spiritual Fitness Expert, God himself, has provided exercises to strengthen our souls, including:
Bible Meditation
More than just reading a passage, meditation includes taking to heart God’s Word and responding personally.
For example, how might you respond to Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit?”
Perhaps your response would be similar to my own.
I praise you, O God, for your omnipotent power. Nothing is impossible for you (Luke 18:27)! Just that knowledge alone can settle my anxious heart and foster sweet hope.
I praise you also for your unlimited understanding. You are a God of infinite wisdom and you generously offer to bestow wisdom to me–if I just ask (James 1:5).
Thank you for coming alongside, ever-ready to expend your power and wisdom for my good. You are a gracious God beyond what anyone could hope for!
Such an exercise develops the muscle of faith, contributes to the stability of the soul, and helps prevent falls into worry and fear.
Positive Prayer
Even the tone of my prayers can impact soul strength. If I focus on the problem, the emotional pain is likely to remain:
Lord, I don’t know what we’re going to do. I keep trying various scenarios in my mind but there seems no way out of these circumstances. You’ve got to help us, although I don’t see how. What a mess!
On the other hand, if I focus on God’s attributes at work and his promises that apply, the strain of the situation diminishes:
“I praise and thank you, Father, that I have no reason to fear. You’ve given our family the promise that you’ll fight for us; all we have to do is stand firm and see your salvation (Exodus 14:13-14). YOU are our strength, providing the wherewithal to rectify this situation. YOU are our very present help in this time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
As positivity is expressed in our prayers, the spiritual muscle of hope develops.
Gratitude & Joy
It stands to reason: if we focus on the problems surrounding us, discouragement will weaken our spirits.
But if we focus on all the good things flowing to us from God’s loving heart, we’ll find plenty to be joyful about. It’s just a matter of engaging our praise and gratitude muscles.
Most sets of the physical exercises I do each morning include twenty repetitions. I wonder if we could name twenty of God’s attributes, providing twenty reasons to be joyful in him?
Skim through the psalms with me, and let’s see what we find:
1. Watchfulness (1:6)
2. Righteousness (5:8)
3. Protection (5:11)
4. Encouragement (10:17)
5. Unfailing love (13:5)
6. Security (16:5)
7. Perfect ways (18:30)
8. Victorious power (20:6)
9. Goodness (25:8)
10. Uprightness (25:8)
11. Faithful ways (25:10)
12. Strength (28:8)
13. Splendorous holiness (29:2)
14. Justice (36:6)
15. Ever-present help (46:1)
16. Guidance (48:14)
17. Great compassion (51:1)
18. Power (62:11)
19. Forgiveness (65:3)
20. Sovereignty (71:16)
We did it—and long before reaching the end of Psalms!
Do you find the strain on your spirit relaxing, just in reviewing his surpassing greatness? Is renewed strength, stability, hope, and joy flowing into your soul?
Keep up those soul-core exercises!
Photo credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.piqsels.com; http://www.heartlight.org; pxhere.com.
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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…
You say you are a “born again” believer… “ BUT ” is your soul “ON FIRE ” for the Lord ?? If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/
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