Spiritual Habits for your Heart, Pt. 2

[If you haven't already, read the introduction to this series of posts here...]


Habit Number 1:  Prioritize


The truth of the matter is that many of the problems that led to my physical unhealth are the same problems the plague my spiritual life – and yet I continue to ignore them and fail to change how I live.  One of my biggest problems?  I work too much.   This isn’t just a problem physically; it’s a problem spiritually.  I find myself distracted from God because I’m so focused on what I’m doing here and now.  I sacrifice time with Him and time in community because I allow my work schedule to interfere with my spiritual life.  When I forfeit time with God in the morning because I “have” to get into the office early I sacrifice a discipline designed to keep my heart healthy.



For me, staying spiritually healthy demands staying focused on a few key priorities:

• Face-Time with God.  If you are a Christian, spending time with God isn't optional; it's foundational.  No relationship can survive without face-time; time connecting, time communicating, time 'relating.'  If face-time with God gets pushed aside then you will have heart issues.  For me, this means time with God in the morning - yes, that's right, before work!  There's no point putting your armor on after you get home from the battle.
  
  
• Face-Time with Key People.  Everyone needs a Paul in their life.  (If you don't get that reference, you probably don't have one in yours.)  We all need someone who knows us and can hold our feet to the fire when we need it.  Having someone to speak truth to us is critical to staying healthy and mis-prioritizing this is dangerous. 
  
  
• Spiritual Community.  You can't do it on your own.  One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is taking Sunday off when things get busy or hard.  If life is killing you, don't skip out on the one place designed to build you back up.  (Oh, and if you don't have a place - call me.)  My LifeGroup and my church are essential to my heart's health.  I need these people and these moments of study, worship, and connection with them.  Cutting back here is not an option. 
  

It takes intentionality to let people in, to pursue conversations with others and to pursue time with God.  If you don't plan it, it won't happen and if it doesn't happen it will come back to haunt you.  Maybe not now.  Maybe not next week.  But it will hurt your heart.  Do yourself a favor, do what I do and put these things on your calendar.  Live and die by them.   When you need to take a break, skip something else but not these - never these.


Next post, habit number 2...