When you think of being strong, you probably think of going to the gym, jogging, or some kind of exercise. But God calls us to be strong in Him.

When we exercise, we strengthen our physical bodies. So what do we do to strengthen our spiritual bodies?

~We pray. We talk to God daily, not just to tell him our needs and to express our outrage at current circumstances. Is that how you converse with a friend? God is the best friend we will ever have, so prayer time with Him is a conversation. Tell Him what is going on (He already knows, of course, but wants to commune with you) and then listen for Him to speak to you. It could be through His word, a song, or a still, small voice speaking to your heart.

~We read the Holy Bible and we study it. Let verses speak to you personally. I enjoy reading the psalms as a prayer for my life, for example. When I study the kings of Israel and Judah, I like to watch for their turning point toward God or away from God and compare it to where I am in my life right now.

~We worship. I enjoy playing old hymns and worship songs that I have heard on the radio that touched me. Yesterday, I listened to an album of hymns by Dolly Parton. I don’t listen for the music, which is generally upbeat and encouraging by itself. I listen to the words, the message there. Then, I turn off the music and spend some personal time worshipping God. If I sing, I am singing to the Lord and he doesn’t mind my scratchy voice that has gotten worse as I have aged and don’t have much breath to get the words out. I just want to praise Him!

~We fellowship with others. Spending time with other believers is very important for our growth and our mental well-being. We were blessed in Pennsylvania by being able to attend church with our daughter. It was a small, old-fashioned church with short wooden pews and a small band with two guitars and a drum set along with the worship leader. That is the first time in over a year that I got to sit in a real service and participate in worship since I watch a screen at our church due to the overly loud music. Anyway, it did my heart good to be with other believers and to talk to them afterwards. I met my daughter’s good friend Joanie who is a nurse who volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse. It was so good to put a face to the name that I have been praying for these last few years. In fellowship with others, we get fed and we feed others, too, with our encouraging words and our positivity that God is still in control.

~We represent Jesus to the world and in so doing we add to God’s family and make it stronger. Our speaking out for the Lord also builds our own faith as we get to remember our testimony and all that God has done for us. I prayed for God to open a door for me to share about Jesus to our non-believing grandchildren. He provided just what I asked for when the younger children were playing in the yard and the oldest joined me on the porch. She said she didn’t know what a Christian was or how to become one, so I planted a few seeds in her young heart that I know God will send someone else (or even me again) to water, nurture and help grow.

So, how do you get strong in the Lord? I have offered some suggestions and I would enjoy hearing your advice on other ways to get stronger. My physical body is wearing out, as evidenced by four medical appointments this week in just three days. But my spiritual body is getting stronger. How about yours?