Get Fit Spiritually || Get Your Life In Shape Spiritually || FLC Bible Study Recap & Replay

Do you know what it practically means and look like to get spiritually fit for what you are called to be?

Spiritual fitness is defined by the Military Health System as "the beliefs and practices that strengthen your connectedness with sources of hope, meaning, and purpose". For us as believers, we know that...

1. The source of our hope, meaning, and purpose is God, God The Father.
2. Our connectedness to God was made possible by Jesus Christ, God The Son.
3. Our connectedness to God is strengthened by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, God The Spirit, Who ives on the inside of us.

Therefore our calling, what we are created to be in the various seasons of our lives, comes from God.

(For the bible study replay this blog is derived from, see the embedded video at the end of this article.)

Similarities Between Spiritual and Physical Fitness

Since there is a common understanding of what it means to be physically fit, we can first look at the parallels physical fitness has with being spiritually fit so we can develop a greater understanding of what it looks like to be spiritually fit for what we are called to be. Below is not an all inclusive list but here are several similarities you can glean from. Both physical and spiritual fitness require...

1. Perseverance: We don't always feel like doing what is required and may encounter difficulties that makes it hard to engage in the activities requires to be physically or spiritually fit.
2. Repetition: You are not fit in either category by engaging in the associated activities one time or every once in a while. Repetition is key for growth and development.
3. Discipline: Proper form and correction is needed for proper growth and develop for both types.
4. Increased Strength: The more you engage in both, the stronger and more fit you get.
5. Spotter(s): Just as it's needed in physical fitness to lift heavy weight, the Holy Spirit and other brothers and sisters in the faith become these through discipleship as we encounter seasons where it feels like we are lifting a heavy load we can't manage on our own.
6. Endurance: When it gets hard or difficult, both require that we keep going and build our stamina to last longer so we don't quit.
7. Different Types Of Training: Based on the goal and focus, the type of training and activities you engage in may be different from person to person and season to season.
8. A Breaking Down To Build Up: Physically, muscles fibers get torn and stronger ones are formed. Spiritually, the Lord prunes, refines, shapes and molds us. There is a tearing or breaking down for a greater rebuild.
9. Intentionality: You don't just magically get fit physically or spiritually. You have to engage and do the work.
10. Prioritization: If physical or spiritual fitness is not a priority in your life or schedule, you won't engage in it. 
11. Perspective: Instead of I hate, don't want to, or don't feel like (insert physical or spiritual fitness activity), it is a blessing and privilege to be able to (insert same activity).
12. Weight: Whether weight is being added, lifted, or carried, it is felt in both and is used to help us grow.
13. Faith and Belief: If you don't believe you can, you will either not engage or give your best in regards to either types of fitness
14. Obedience: You have to follow the instructions, whether it is from a plan, book, or coach.
15. Progress: Sometimes it is hard to see from day to day but is sometimes easier seen from season to season.
16. Correct Metrics: Looking at the wrong metrics for wither can have you thinking you are not growing or progressing when you really are.
17. Evaluation: What are you consuming? Is it supporting either fitness efforts

What Are You Called To Be?

Before we get into how to practically get fit spiritually for what you are called to be, you must identify what you are actually called to be in this season. Again, below is not an all inclusive list. Utilize as a jumpstart to identify your list of areas you are called to in this season. 

1. Parenting
2. Vocational Ministry
3. Marketplace Ministry 
4. Pastoring
5. Entrepreneurship
6. A Disciple 
7. Wife/Husband
8. Teacher
9. Leader
10. Writer
11. Singer/Vocalist
12. Designer/Builder
13. Pioneer
14. Forerunner

Get Fit Spiritually

Now let's get to what it practically means and looks like to get fit spiritually. This section is a continuation of what was discussed from the Fit For The Call Spiritually Recap and Replay.

If you’re going to be fit for what you are called to be, you are going to have to…

Get In Spiritual Alignment

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV

You can’t do anything that will last or be of value apart from Christ, especially as it relates to what you are called to be. As a recap from Get Your Life In Alignment, here is what it practically look like for you to get in spiritual alignment for what you are called to be:

• Pray: Ask for what you need and listen for instruction and strategy as it relates to what you are called to be.
• Do Justice: Do what is right in your calling.
• Do what is good in your calling.
• Be humble.
• Abide In His love by keeping His commandments.
• Receive His joy and let it remain full.
• Love one another and those you interact with in your calling.
• Be His friend: Greater intimacy with Jesus made evident by keeping His commandments.
• Bear fruit in your calling.
• Ask the Father for what you need in Jesus Name.
• Commit your work to the Lord.

Submit To The Spiritual Fitness Coach

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:6-13 ESV

God is ultimately our coach. The Lord disciplines and trains us so we can yield fruits of righteousness, even in what we are called to be. Here is what it practically look like for you to submit to God as The Spiritual Fitness Coach in your life and calling?

• Obey His instructions even when...
  • It hurts
  • It doesn’t make sense to you
  • It doesn’t seem like it’s that important.
• Maintain spiritual disciplines even when...
  • He seems or feels distant or close.
  •  You feel like He is paying attention/care or not.
  •  Nothing seems or feels like it is changing.
• Go back to the last instruction when you feel like you are stuck or plateauing.
• What did He tell you that you are not doing or have not done yet?
• Obey His instructions

Utilize The Spiritual Training Book/Guide

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

The Holy Bible contains the God breathed scriptures that trains us for righteousness for every good work, including what we are called to be. Here is what it practically look like to utilize God's Word (the Holy Bible) to train you in your calling.

• Ensure your practices, efforts, and beliefs align with God's Word.
• Hear Him speak through God's Word.
• Read, comprehend, and apply the instructions regarding what you should do from God's Word.
• See that your character and mindset aligns with what God says it should be according to God's Word.

Engage In Spiritual Training

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV

We train ourselves in godliness for the value it brings, even in what we are called to be, in this life and the life to come. Here is what it practically mean to engage in spiritual training for what you are called to be.

• Apply word of God to all areas of your life and calling.
• Discipline yourself to stay focused on what you are suppose to do.
• Train your ears to hear and act on what you are suppose to do and how you are supposed to be.
• Evaluate and correct your actions to align with the way you are suppose to live.
• Be mindful of your words and ensure you language is aligned with the life you profess to live.
• Align your thoughts and mindset to what is true, righteous and holy.

Evaluate Spiritual Nutrition

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14 ESV

To be on spiritual milk is to be unskilled in the word of righteousness but to be on spiritual solid foods gives us powers of discernment, which is especially beneficial and needed for what we are called to be. Here is how you practically evaluate your spiritual nutrition for what you are called to be.

• Evaluate what you are consuming.
  • What are you giving your time to?
  • What are you intaking through your senses?
    • What are you watching, seeing, or looking at?
    • What are you touching or feeling?
    • What are you hearing or listening to?
  • Are you feeding your faith or are you feeding doubt?
  • Be honest where you are at and what you are consuming.
• Discern when God has you on a spiritual detox for consecration purposes.
  
  •  Waste Removal
    •  What is He trying to remove that you are trying to keep that is making you sick and unfit for your calling?
  • What is the Holy Spirit telling you to stop eating/eliminate from your diet spiritually?
• Stop comparing yourself to others! Just because another believer seems able to consume something doesn't mean you can or should.
  •  Maturity: You could more mature in your walk, comparing yourself to someone else who is less mature in their walk or immature all together. 
  • Spiritually Sick/Disobedient: You could be comparing yourself to someone who is not walking in obedience while you are experiencing a conviction that you are trying to resist.
  • Don’t have the same effect: What they are consuming would possibly have an adverse affect on you that it does not have on them.

Execute The Plan

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25 ESV

We must hear and do what the Lord says, especially as it relates to what we are called to be. Here is what it looks like practically to execute God’s plan for what you are called to be.

• Write down what He says when He says it.
  • During sermon
  • In prayer time
  • On the go in journal or notes app
• Obey as immediately as possible.
•  Don't allow your desire for confirmation to be a crutch.
  • Needing confirmation for what you know God instructed you to do is disobedience.
  • You are delaying as a result of having a lack of faith.
  • Trust that as you go with a sincere heart to obey Him, He will guide and direct you, even in your miss steps.
• Review the plan frequently. 
• Pivot and adjust the plan as led by the Holy Spirit (adapt to situation and circumstance).
• Be willing to start a new plan when given. His plan for you may change from season to season or based on major events and occurrence that happen in your life, world, or areas of influence.

Gain Spiritual Strength

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV

We must receive His power to grow in strength so we can soar, run, and walk, especially in what we are called to be. Here is what it means practically to gain spiritual strength from God for what you are called to do.

• Stop pursuing your calling in your own strength. You can't be your own fuel source.
  • Depend on God as The Fuel Source, no counterfeits or substitutes.
• When you feel weak, weary or faintish… 
  • Pray.
  • Pause: Get direction, instruction, strategy and perspective from God.
  • Rest 
• Develop your discernment to know when to... 
• Push and when to rest.
• Go and when to stop.
• Sow and when to reap.
• Create and cultivate and when to recuperate and rejuvenate.

Go Get Fit Spiritually!

Here is your assignment!

Of the 7 categories of things you have to do, discern which one requires most of your attention right now in the season you are in?

What is one key takeaway for you from this blog/bible study replay or what is something the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this time that you would like to share?

Share your thoughts below in the comments!

FLC Bible Study Replay: Get Fit Spiritually