Meditation

Read 2 Peter 1:3-8

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

The older I get, the more I try to maintain a healthy body by eating well and getting regular physical exercise. However, there are days when grabbing a fast-food meal is more appetizing and easier than cooking a healthy meal at home, and the thought of sitting on my sofa catching up on one of my favorite shows is more appealing than changing my clothes and driving to the path where I take my 40-minute after dinner walk. I know that in the long run I will feel better and be happier with myself if I put in the extra effort, but it takes discipline to get those rewards.

The same can be said about my spiritual health. It takes discipline to make the extra effort to maintain a close relationship with God. There are so many distractions in our world, and sometimes it takes diligence to turn away from things like checking emails and social media to settle into prayer and Bible reading. Today’s quoted scripture reminds us that God wants us to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. If we make the effort to set aside time to do this daily, our reward can be a healthy spiritual connection with God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to quiet the distractions so that we can spend precious time with you. Amen.

Thought for the day: I can improve my spiritual health by reading God’s word and praying daily.

—Linda L. White, Illinois