It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, made up of two abundant elements, hydrogen and oxygen.
Simple and ordinary, yet absolutely indispensable for life. Water.
Did you know that water performs multiple functions in our bodies? I certainly didn’t.
1. Water helps regulate body temperature. It absorbs heat and releases excess heat as perspiration.
2. Water lubricates joints. It cuts down on friction that can cause injury.
3. Water protects our organs. It delivers the necessary nutrients and oxygen.
4. Water helps regulate blood pressure. As it moves through the blood vessels, water carries away other fluids. Vessels are not “pressured” with too much fluid so they can relax, and blood pressure is reduced.
5. Water detoxifies. It carries waste products away from cells.
6. Water even improves our moods. When all of the above is accomplished, we feel better. When we feel better, our moods are elevated.
And those are just a few examples of why our physical bodies need water every day.
Similarly, we also need worship every day—expressions of praise, adoration, and gratitude to our God. Water hydrates our bodies; worship hydrates our souls.
Did you know that worship performs multiple functions in our spirits? I certainly didn’t.
1. Worship regulates our spiritual temperature. For example: Are you hot under the collar with frustration? Are you sweating bullets of worry? Are you getting the cold shoulder from someone, and now you’re feeling chilly toward him or her? Worship helps to regulate our spirits while dealing with emotional ups and downs. A heavenly perspective calms the frustration and worry.
2. Worship lubricates our spiritual joints. Time spent in God’s presence, focused on his attributes, gives us the strength to press on, with greater ease.
3. Worship offers protection for our spirits. It’s like a fortress, a place of security and safety, where hope and strength are restored (Psalm 62:5-8).
4. Worship regulates the day-to-day pressures of too much to do and not enough time, of people pulling us in different directions, of a shrinking paycheck and mounting bills. As we worship our almighty, all-wise, loving God, the pressures of life subside.
5. Worship detoxifies our spirits. Spend a few moments in worship and feel the negativity and worry drain away. Into the resulting void God infuses perfect peace, as we keep our minds steadfast upon him (Isaiah 26:3). I have to admit: for me this is an ongoing process. Toxins can invade my spirit at least several times a day. But I am learning to acclaim my God more frequently, to walk in his presence more consistently, and praise-away the toxins (Psalm 89:15-17)!
6. Worship improves our moods. Solomon expressed the concept well: “The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble” (Proverbs 19:23). Surely contentment is the greatest ingredient of a good mood. Expressing my reverence and appreciation for God will help me develop that state of mind and spirit.
How can we incorporate the habit of daily worship into our busy routines? Perhaps it can begin with water. As we hydrate our bodies throughout the day, we can hydrate our spirits with worship at the same time.
DRINK UP AND LOOK UP!
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How has worship impacted your life? Please share your story in the Comments!
From the Inside Out 
Nancy–we both wrote about water and worship today….the analogies you used here are powerful. “Drink up and Look up!” I love it!
Thank you, Jodi–what fun that we chose the same topic on the same day!
My husband used to tell his patients that water ‘makes all systems go’. Sounds like an enforcement of what you have said.
I like that: Water makes all systems go! Do you suppose worship makes all systems go in the spiritual realm? Let’s see…if worship brings joy, peace, and contentment, it it fosters intimacy with God and makes the devil flee, then I think the analogy works!
Thank you Nancy. Love your message today…
Nancy, #5 above is my ‘issue’ as well. The devil knows my weaknesses well and uses them to discourage me and to take my focus off of the Lord. He succeeds all too often, I’m afraid. So, I must resolve immediately…when the negativity and worry begin to sway me…to refocus my thoughts to giving praise and worship to He who gave Himself for me, He who is looking forward to spending eternity with me, little me! How wonderful is that? Drink up and look up! I will do this! Excellent post, Nancy!
Sometimes I find myself spiraling down a negative thought-trail, and all of a sudden realize what’s happening. I have to refocus my attention with gratitude and praise–just as you’ve said. Note to self: negativity is a big time-waster anyway!