I know that working out is not something that is generally enjoyed by a lot of folks. It takes time. Intentionally planning the day to include exercise. You get hot and sweaty. Sometimes you think you must be crazy for continuing to exercise. But it is good for your body. It keeps the heart strong. Helps to control weight. Helps with mental clarity. You get to be outside looking at Father’s creation. Our bodies don’t get out of shape.

If this works for our body, does a good spiritual workout increase our spiritual strength? Does a good spiritual workout keep our spirit from atrophy?

I have times when I’m spiritually depleted. A time after a long struggle or difficult circumstance and I am just “sitting on empty.” It doesn’t mean I haven’t been praying…or reading the Word…or doing Bible study. It’s that circumstances have been so difficult, I have poured out more than I am capable of taking in.

My error comes when I don’t stop. I believe I can continue to move forward on empty. Isn’t that silly? If equipment runs out of fuel, it is going nowhere. Knowing that, why do I ignore common sense?

I find that when I run empty, a spiritual workout is the best remedy. King David did it. When he was in despair, he would begin to extol the attributes of God. King David praised God for who He is and by the time we get to the end of these Psalms, King David is full again.

Look at Psalm 63.

“O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly; My soul thirsts for Thee, My flesh yearns for Thee, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Thus I beheld Thee  in the sanctuary, To see Thy power and Thy glory, 

Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise Thee.

So will I bless Thee as long as I live, I will lift up my hands in Thy name.” Psalm 63:1-4

Or Psalm 69?

Save me O God, For the waters have threatened my life.

I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold:

I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me.

I am weary with my crying: My throat is parched:

My eyes fail while I wait for my God. verses 1-3

Now:

I will praise  the name of God with song,

And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving,

And it will please the LORD better than an ox. Verse 30

Then:

For the LORD hears the needy,

And does not despise His who are prisoners. Verse 33

Psalm 77…Psalm 86…and then I’ll stop with Psalm 103…These are only a very few psalms where we hear the psalmist begin in despair and pray through to praise. This is the spiritual workout. If we don’t practice this one thing, giving praise and thanks, our inside self shrivels up. But when we begin to recount Who our Father is…His greatness…and His great love toward us…our inside self is built up. Our spiritual muscles become lean and strong. 

A small workout:

Oh Father God, You are the true and living God! And You alone.

You spoke the universe into being.

My heart was heavy, broken with the hurt of this world. You came and held me close . You comfort me.

Yeshua sits in Heaven at your right hand, always interceding for us. I am continually prayed for.

He is my Redeemer. He is my Healer. He is always with me. 

I don’t need to fear. You fight all my battles. I need only to listen and do as You say.

I am provided for…protected…loved by God.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper.

I dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

I have been redeemed, forgiven, and lavished with grace.

He will never leave me or forsake me. 

He has put all things under His feet.

He has gone to prepare a place for me that I might be with Him forever.

You cannot say those beautiful truths without your heart surging with new life.

That’s a short spiritual workout! Speak who He is. Recount His blessings. Praise the wonder of Him. In short order, you are better. Your heart remembers whose you are and who you are. Doubt can’t remain. Fatigue leaves. Exercise your “praise muscle”. Give it a good workout.

Let’s not allow our hearts and spirits to atrophy from lack of use. Let’s have a great spiritual workout everyday. We can feast on His word. It will feed our spirit. Then let’s use that spiritual fuel to workout. Give Him back praise and worship.