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:
- have difficulty getting up from a chair without leverage
- struggle to bend down and tie his shoes
- find himself slouching
- lose his balance
- 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 stability of 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!
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From the Inside Out 
Yes, Nancy, our spiritual cores must be strengthened through God and His word, and through prayer, where we focus on all the good things God has done in the past and will do in the days to come. It is so true that if we allow our problems to be the focus of prayer, nothing will get better for us. Let us humble ourselves before our Almighty God and Savior, knowing He is the One who will give us hope and a future.
Blessings!
You raise such a good point, Martha: we can build our faith muscle by reviewing the good things God has done in the past. I’ve probably mentioned this to you before, but I began a journal in 1983 to keep a record of God’s faithfulness to our family. There are now more than 1400 entries in that notebook! It IS a strong encouragement to see all the ways he’s guided, provided, and and protected us over the years.
Thanks for the positive thoughts, Nancy. Sounds like you’re strengthening your spiritual core with the belt of Truth. 😉
Praise God for that belt–the sword too. I’m so thankful for the wisdom, hope, and encouragement to be found within the pages of the Bible. And I love that we’ll never reach the end of that wisdom and encouragement! There’s always new knowledge and fresh inspiration!
This speaks to the core of my being! How often I find myself needing to sweep away all the clutter that consumes my focus, and instead look only to God and to who I know He is. Thank you, Nancy, for this very powerful word for me today. Blessings, my friend!
Thank you for that image, Patty, of sweeping away the clutter of negative thoughts, to make room for God-thoughts. That’s a great idea for visual learners like me! So glad this post spoke to your heart, Patty. Praise God for his inspiration!
Nancy, I did feel the strain relaxing thanks to those 20-soul core exercises. Now if I can keep the soul core getting stronger and the physical core getting stronger, it will be a wonderful year. Thank you
You’re off and running, Sam, in both areas! Remember the old hymn, “Sweeter as the Years Go By?” One of the advantages of getting older!
Thank you, Nancy. We must take care of our spiritual health just as we do our physical well being. Meditating on God’s Word, a prayer life that sustains our daily challenges, and practicing gratitude and joy will strengthen our soul. I needed this for today!
Amen, Pam! So glad you found encouragement in this post.
“It stands to reason: if we focus on the problems surrounding us, discouragement will weaken our spirits.” This is SO true! And the tools you listed arm us with everything we need to combat any negative emotions, feelings of helplessness, or difficult challenges we face in our present circumstances. All of this, PLUS giving His life for us! How can we not be joyful and grateful to our Savior for loving us so.
Amen, Cheri! Just came across this yesterday: “If we believe that God’s grace is manifested even more in our lives the deeper our pain or the greater our adversity, then we can take joy in that fact”–Charles Stanley. (Please remind me of this when I start to slip into discouragement!)
I love the passage you included from Phillippians 4, esp. “… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I find a lot of power and comfort in just those two verses.
Oh yes, Philippians 4:4-8 are rich with wisdom, encouragement, and hope! It’s one of my favorite passages too.
Awesome and very helpful post Nancy!! I wrote down notes and will transfer it to my little notebook (crediting you of course) Thanks for sharing!!!❤️
Thank you, Alicia. Praise God you found worthwhile content here!
Nancy, as a dancer heading out the door, my dad used to say, “Physical strength is good, Debbie, but don’t forget the Spiritual!” Back in the day I would say, “Yeah, yeah, Dad,” and off I’d go. My “core”was strong, but that didn’t keep me from falling. I did eventually come to workout and exercise and strengthen my Spiritual core, which does! 🙂
Lovely post. (It reminds me of the Attributes Alphabet you inspired me to do as I walk which strengthens both!)
Most of us require a few hard knocks before coming to our senses about the importance of a strong spiritual core. I’m honored that the Attributes Alphabet post inspired you to practice the exercise while you walk! Praise God for HIS inspiration!
physical and spiritual care, right? Your words are so deep and thoughtfilled, Thank you for feeding my soul today,
Aw, thank you, Jean. I’m honored these words fed your soul today. Praise God for his inspiration. You are right: Both physical and spiritual care are important for our well-being–mind care too!
Nancy,
The core of cores is what holds it all together.
Thank you,
Gary
Indeed, Christ himself holds all things together (Colossians 1:17)!
Thanks Nancy, In so many ways, the years are so much sweeter. Sam
Amen to that, Sam!