What if your workout was doing far more than shaping your body? What if it was also strengthening your prayer life, calming your thoughts, and protecting your peace? Physical vitality may be one of our most overlooked spiritual tools.
Why Physical Fitness Is More Than Appearance
One needs to be physically fit, we know; we’re reminded of it constantly, but how does it connect to prayer and using our thought train for our highest benefit. There are all kinds of reasons marketers will explain to us why we need to stay fit. Many of the obvious reasons can keep a person motivated, like looking good and feeling good, which are enough in themselves, but are not nearly enough by themselves for some of us to take action and begin exercising.
Training the Body Also Trains the Mind and Spirit
What if I told you your fitness routine is doing so much more for you than you’ve been told? What if the motivation shifted from only working on a big round butt, or a strong chest and biceps? What if I told you that strength-training your body is also training your mind and spirit? Staying disciplined is an essential, mind-strengthening exercise with tremendous benefits that are a necessary component to exercise. So, for us to be balanced, where does our spirit fit into this equation? Developing the body helps control the mind; the calm mind lets the spirit communicate clearly for your highest good.
Physical Vitality and the Power of Prayer
It takes considerable physical vitality to pray constantly. I use the word pray because if we are to be managing our thoughts all day, one way to stop so many intrusive thoughts would be to change the thought stream to a prayer stream. So, while you’re thinking all day, stop and be aware of what you’re saying to yourself. Stop and switch to a prayer full of thanks for things you want to happen for you and your loved ones. YES! It absolutely takes effort! Some have said they can’t do it; they simply cannot calm the swirling thoughts. If you are one of those folks, I am going to change your mind. There is a way to redirect your tornado of a mind.
How Fatigue Hijacks Our Thoughts
When we are tired, worn down, stressed, upset, scared, or confused, our thoughts take a terrible turn for the worst. Waking at 3 a.m. to a busy mind filled with scenarios we would rather avoid is a common ailment we all can relate to. But here’s the thing; we live in a paradoxical realm. We think we’re telling God or the Universe to guide us away from our terrors, but really we’re keeping the terrors alive by thinking the worst-case scenarios, when we should be praising and giving thanks with a genuine, grateful heart. Let’s shift! Because here’s where the saying, “Worrying is like praying for something we don’t want to happen,” rings entirely true. We perpetuate the very circumstances we’re trying to get out of, because “what we resist, persists.”
Mind, Body, and Spirit: A Three-Part Balance
Why does it take physical fitness and vitality to pray? Well, it takes strength as a whole — strength, mindset, yes — but that may not be in place for you yet, because you’re tired and just want to go lie down and scroll. When we get tired like that from working or hustling, our thoughts can be hijacked. Then the 10,000 distractions from notifications and such completely derail us, and we are back to worry. You see, each of our attributes — mind, body, and spirit — support each other for perfect balance. The mind motivates, the body acts, and the spirit inspires. I notice in myself when I’m sick or tired, I am less able to keep my mind out of the gutter. When I’m physically well, I find it easier to manage my trinity within. I want you to be strong, to fight your intruders with love and a peaceful heart, even at 3 a.m. when the battle is real. Also, the effects of working out last well into the night, and you may find yourself sleeping better, which means less waking in the middle of the night.
Small Movements That Create Big Shifts
There is so much that I wish to keep safe in my life, as I know you do too. The thoughts we hold shape our reality, and I want to make sure I am thinking the best for all I hold dear. We can get some exercise by simply going for a walk, 5 push-ups, 5 sit-ups, a few jumping jacks, stretching, or yoga. After the physical exertion, you’ll feel calmer, happier, more accomplished, and you’ll have the strength and the foundation to tackle the process of calming the internal storms, so your prayers can move away from worry and thought of with intentions of the beautiful things you do want to happen.
Choosing Better Thoughts and Best-Case Scenarios
So now, take some time to think of what your best-case scenarios look like. It may take some time to realize what you do want to realize what you do want. We are so good at noticing what we don’t like that it becomes the mantra we’re repeating, but that does the opposite — it gives you what you don’t like. That’s why our minds need the support from the body and spirit to create, to protect, to grow, learn, teach, and use our power within to shape the best lives for ourselves and our families, our communities, and ultimately all of humanity.
Go out today and make it happen. Decide you want to keep your mind on point, your body well, and your spirit soaring.
Here are 3 things you can do tonight if you wake up at 3am:
- Begin saying “Thank You, God,” or just “Thank You,” low key, over and again to drown out intrusive thoughts.
- 3 Long Deep Breaths, 3 Regular, 3 Long Deep Breaths, 3 Regular, and keep doing that pattern, you may fall back to sleep while you…
- Focus and keep your mind on everything you have right now to be Thankful for.
A Nightwatch Prayer for you:
God, as I stand watch over my thoughts in these quiet hours, I ask for Your protection over my mind. Guard me from fear, from spirals, from imagined troubles that do not belong to this moment. Place a shield of peace around my thinking. Let calm settle into my breath and quiet the noise within me. I release what I cannot control into Your care. I choose gratitude over worry, trust over fear, rest over resistance. Watch over me as I sleep, and restore me in Your peace. Amen.
