Today, I finish this series, and maybe you’re drawing a breath of relief about that. That’s okay. I understand.
I know you’re looking for specific advice on improving your story and getting published, but there are times when my spirit is so burdened that I must write about what I believe God has for me to share that day. This series has been one of those times.
The Bible tells us in 3 John 1:2, NKJV:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
That tells me there is a direct link between my physical and spiritual life. This leads me to…
Principle #4: Food and Water
While these 4 principles are easy to write about, they are much more difficult to put into practice. I struggle with Principle #4 (and #2), and I know it is a difficult point for many people. Our always-in-a-hurry society isn’t conducive to healthy eating—or a healthy lifestyle altogether.
We know the role good food and plenty of water plays in keeping our body healthy, so I won’t belabor the point. Nutrition information is everywhere, but the information is often contradictory.
I’ve learned over the years to pay attention to how my body feels after I eat. No doctor diagnosed me with lactose intolerance, but after paying attention to how sick I was every time I had milk, I came to the conclusion myself. No expensive, uncomfortable tests; no big doctor bills (something we all like).
Experiment and find what works for you in the food and water department, rather than flitting from one diet plan to another.
As important as it is for me to feed my body, it is even more important to feed my soul because the above verse tells me the condition of my soul impacts my physical life.
Many Christians neglect their spiritual sustenance.
The two best ways to provide your spirit with sustenance is to read the Bible and to spend regular time communing with God.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV).
The vine—the trunk, if you will—provides the sustenance the branches need to grow and bear fruit. We all know if a branch is broken from the vine, it dies. Jesus is very clear here; He is the vine, and we are the branches.
It is within Bible that we learn
- how much He loves us
- the authority He has given us against Satan
- the hundreds of promises He has made us
- the myriad aspects of God’s character, and so many, many other things.
God knows we lack the power to live a holy life so He provides the food (the power and strength) we need to grow spiritually and live a righteous life. The Bible often refers to this power as God’s grace. Grace is more than God’s unmerited favor. It empowers us to defeat our fleshly tendencies and live by faith (see James 4:5, 6 Amplified).
God provides all we need, but it is up to us to accept what He provides. Just as I stepped forward to take the oath of enlistment and accepted the Marine Corps as a way of life, it is up to us as individuals to accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, put on our armor, learn how to wield our sword, and feed daily on his Word.
With His grace we can meet the challenges of life.
More importantly, with His grace we can reach a hurting world with His message of love, mercy, and forgiveness through what we write.
Now and throughout the coming year, I pray God prospers you all things, even as your soul prospers.
Related articles:
4 Life Principles I Learned as a Marine Part 1
4 Life Principles I Learned as a Marine Part 2
4 Life Principles I Learned as a Marine Part 3