Finding Balance from Developing Five Spiritual Disciplines in 2023
Welcome to 2023! Let me start with a question: What do you expect to experience this year? A better job? Better relationships? Better finances? A better you? If the foundation is right, there’s nothing wrong with any of these ideals. Maybe a better way of thinking is that we should strive for balance in our lives. As Christians, striving for balance in life can be difficult. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by our everyday responsibilities and struggles. There is hope, however! Developing spiritual disciplines helps us to create peace and stability in our lives. When we practice five particular spiritual disciplines in 2023 (or any year for that matter!) – prayer, fasting, meditation, Bible study, and giving – we can find a sense of balance that will carry into the future. With just a few positive changes to our daily routine, these habits can allow us to experience God on a deeper level and make life more purposeful. Let's take a brief look at each one of these.
Prayer
Incorporating prayer into your daily routine can be a great way to restore focus and balance to your life. Start by setting aside a few minutes each day – whether in the morning, mid-day, or evening – that you can dedicate to prayer. Make sure this time is separate from any other task or activity you have planned for the day. During this time of prayer, focus on repentance of sin (sin against God and/or sin against others), expressing gratitude for common and specific graces, asking for divine guidance and wisdom, and reflecting on what you're thankful for in life. With consistent effort, you will soon find yourself feeling more connected to God and better able to handle life’s challenges. Remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer can help to develop a better outlook on circumstances by allowing us to receive guidance and strength from God. When facing difficult situations, prayer can provide an opportunity to ask God for His help and discern how best to proceed. By committing those matters to the Lord, we open ourselves up to his will, which may bring different results than relying solely on our strength.
Through prayer, we are also reminded that no matter what comes our way, God will always be with us and provide the support and wisdom needed in times of difficulty and stress. Prayer can also be a great source of comfort when faced with challenging or uncertain circumstances, as it helps us focus on the ultimate outcome rather than worry about immediate difficulties. Ultimately, prayer is essential for anyone looking to cultivate a more positive outlook on life's events by trusting in God's plan rather than trying to control their circumstances. Psalm 28:6-7 – “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped...My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”
Fasting
Fasting is an ancient spiritual practice that benefits your mental and physical health. Fasting allows you to focus more deeply on being connected to God, and it can help bring clarity of mind and a better understanding of one's innermost desires. To begin the practice of fasting, start with setting aside a certain day or time each week where you will abstain from food or any other creature comfort. This pause could be anything from refraining from eating during certain hours of the day to whole days without consuming any food at all. With consistent effort and an open heart, you will soon find yourself feeling more connected to God and better able to handle life’s challenges. In the New Testament, Jesus taught that fasting should be done not to draw attention to oneself but only by those genuinely seeking to be closer to God. He said that while fasting is beneficial, it should not be done purely out of tradition or habit (Matthew 6:16-17). Overall, the Bible emphasizes how important it is to humble ourselves before God and relinquish control over our lives by fasting.
Meditation
Meditation is an important spiritual practice for many Christians, as it helps to focus on being more connected to God. When the practice of meditation is brought up, I often hear people say, "Isn't meditation something that comes from those Eastern Religions?" To which I always respond, "Christianity is an Eastern Religion!" Oh, how we love to Westernize the gospel! Besides, it would only take a short search to find that the Bible is replete with commands to meditate, ponder, and reflect on God's Word. In the Old Testament, Joshua 1:8 instructs us to “meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Psalm 1:2 also says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law he meditates day and night.” In the New Testament, Philippians 4:8 tells us: “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” We can apply this to our meditation practice by focusing our thoughts on true and true scripture verses.
So, to begin a proper practice of meditation, there are a few simple steps that can help any Christian get started... First, set aside some time and find a quiet place to meditate. You may want to use an app or timer to keep track of the time you are spending in meditation. Second, relax your body by focusing on your breathing. Take slow, deep breaths and relax each part of your body from head to toe. Third, focus on one scripture verse or prayer at a time as you meditate on it deeply and thoughtfully. Finally, when thoughts drift away simply bring your attention back and refocus on the scriptures or prayer you have chosen. During your time of meditation, focus on quieting your mind and fostering a connection with God. Listening and reflecting on what He has to say will help bring clarity of thought and increased understanding of His will for your life. Does it seem weird to focus on things like breath and tension in your body? Remember, the scripture teaches us that our body (the whole thing) is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, you are creating a discipline that brings your body into submission to focus on what really matters. I truly believe that with consistent effort, you will soon find yourself feeling more connected to God and better able to handle life’s challenges.
Bible Study
Paul tells us to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. For those who are serious about their Christian faith, routine Bible study can be a powerful source of spiritual growth and insight. Through consistent and purposeful Bible study, one can gain invaluable knowledge of the stories, teachings, and messages contained within the Bible. Routine Bible study can also provide an opportunity to learn more about God’s will for our lives and equip us with the necessary knowledge and wisdom to tackle life’s challenges. Bible study is an essential part of spiritual growth. When we study God's Word, we actively engage with the scripture and allow it to shape our thoughts and behavior. Bible study helps us gain understanding and wisdom that we can apply to our day-to-day lives. As we study the scriptures, God teaches us about His nature, will, and purposes for our lives.
By studying His Word, we deepen our knowledge of Him, which leads to greater faith and trust in Him. We also gain insight into how He works in the world around us and learn how we can better serve Him by living out His will in our daily lives. Additionally, regular Bible study can strengthen our relationship with God by allowing us to connect deeply with His Word on a daily basis. With consistent effort and an open heart, one will soon experience increased faithfulness in serving God and living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Tithing
So, if you're still reading at this point then the title didn't scare you away! But tithing is nothing to be scared of, nor is it anything to be neglected or treated lightly. Tithing is an important act of faith for many Christians, as it is a way to honor and show obedience to God. The Bible has a lot to say about tithing. In Malachi 3:10-11, God says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Deuteronomy 14:22-23 states, “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name.” Finally, Proverbs 3:9-10 declares, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
While tithing should be done out of love and gratitude, the practice can also result in great blessings from God. For those who may not currently be in the habit of tithing, you can begin this practice by creating a goal to set aside a specific percentage (choosing 10% as a general guide) of each paycheck that will go towards the support of God’s mission through the Church. This is something you will begin to build towards over time. You may start with a meager amount, maybe only a few dollars at first – but it all adds up over time, and the point is to develop consistency. It also helps to keep track of how much you are tithing so that, over time, you can increase your contributions as your blessings allow. Don't ever let it become robotic; instead, let it flow from your time in prayer. Tithing comes with its own set of rewards, both spiritually and financially. By faithfully making regular contributions to God's work, one will soon find that the rewards far outweigh any sacrifice made along the way.
Bringing It All Together
Let me begin to connect all of this by looking at what Paul taught in Romans 12:1-2, where he says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Paul reminds us that forming spiritual disciplines is part of our calling as believers in Christ; it helps us align our hearts and minds with God's plans for His people. The spiritual practices of fasting, meditation, Bible study, and tithing are all powerful ways to cultivate a deeper connection with God. These practices can help to bring clarity of thought and increased understanding of His will for our lives. Furthermore, they offer tremendous rewards for overall satisfaction and fulfillment in life. With consistent effort and an open heart, these spiritual practices can lead to a more meaningful and rewarding relationship with God. Therefore, it is highly encouraged for those who are serious about their Christian faith to incorporate these spiritual practices into their daily lives. What have you got to lose except for a lot of worry, guilt, and anxiety? Make these disciplines a priority for your spiritual growth journey this year! May 2023 be a prosperous New Year for your spiritual journey!
