How To Overcome Spiritual Weakness

When trying to put all eight aspects of wellness together, the spiritual aspect of wellness can be the most individualized piece of the puzzle. People, on the whole, like to live lives that have meaning and purpose. When these objectives are attained, it brings peace into one's life and the lives of those around them.

So, what are some things you may do to increase your spiritual well-being? It's best to experiment with several ways to see what works best for you. Spiritual wellbeing can be reached in a variety of ways, both physically and intellectually, because it involves one's values, beliefs, and purpose.

1. Examine your spiritual foundation. You are merely asking yourself questions about who you are and what you mean when you explore your spiritual essence. Consider the following question: “Who am I?” What is the point of my existence? What am I most passionate about? These questions will lead you down a path where you will think more deeply about yourself and recognize aspects of yourself that will assist you in achieving fulfillment.

2. Search for hidden meanings. Looking for deeper meanings and examining patterns in your life will help you realize that you have power over your future. Knowing this can help you live a happier and healthier life.

3. Get it off your chest. It will be easier to retain a concentrated mind if you express what is on your mind. You may feel befuddled and unable to make sense of your feelings after a long day or an important event. You may be able to think more clearly and move forward if you write down your thoughts.

4. Give yoga a shot. Yoga is a physical discipline that can help you achieve spiritual wellness by eliminating mental and physical stress. Yoga is taught at all levels and can help relieve anxiety, sadness, weariness, and sleeplessness as well as reducing stress, strengthen the immune system, and lower blood pressure.

5. Take a trip. Yes, it is correct! Taking time for yourself to travel to a familiar location or to a new location can do wonders for your mental health. You will have a greater connection with yourself when your mind is able to block out distractions and assist you in reflecting and resting. This allows you to eliminate stressors and retrain your mind to focus on total wellness. Exercising, visiting with a counselor or advisor, meditation, or taking a temporary vow of silence are all activities that can be done while on a trip.

6. Keep an optimistic attitude. You will find yourself thinking differently and shifting your mind to a happy, healthy place once you begin to view things in your life in a good light. You'll discover that you're more comfortable when you eliminate negativity and re-frame how you think about specific things and situations.

7. Set aside some time to meditate. While managing your time and everyday tasks can be difficult, it is critical to make time for yourself. Take five to ten minutes each day to meditate, whether it's first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or right before bedtime. By incorporating meditation and relaxation into your daily routine, you will be able to clear your mind and strengthen your connection to your spiritual well-being.

Source: http://student-affairs.illinoisstate.edu/health-promotion-and-wellness/7-ways-improve-spiritual-wellness/

How do you revive spiritually?

What does it mean to resurrect? Simply expressed, it means “to restore the functionality or validity of anything.” So, what about your spirit has become inactive or has lost its validity? Here's a simple test to see if you're ready: Do you find yourself ruminating on minor irritations in your daily life? Do you have a hard time recalling the last time you felt truly happy?

It's possible that your inner spirit requires a “waking,” and spring is an excellent time to assess your situation and take steps toward a more positive, anxiety-free outlook!

Here are three suggestions to help you rekindle your spirit, as well as “5 Inspiring Quotes” from our Cancer Fighters members to get you started.

1. Work on your core

Our entire being is conditioned to perform better — emotionally, mentally, and physically – when we focus on growing our spirit, the core of who we are. Some exercises to build your spiritual core may include the following, depending on your personal interests:

Any action that brings you closer to – rather than further away from – your thoughts and feelings might help you live more cheerfully in the present moment. These activities are referred to as “mindfulness” by some specialists. Mindfulness has been shown to increase overall mood, boost emotional, physical, and social well-being, and reduce anxiety, despair, and rage, according to several studies published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Percy McCray, Jr., Director of Faith-Based Programs at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), warns what can happen if we don't take the time to build our spiritual health in his blog, Revive Yourself, Your Spirit, and Your Health.

“It's critical to take a breath and reflect. If we don't, we'll waste our time shopping, eating, drinking, and socializing in vain attempts to resurrect our spirits.” “Instead of re-energizing us, these pleasures might leave us feeling languid and aimless,” explains Rev. Percy. Every human, however, has a thirst, hunger, and yearning for true meaning, value, and purpose in life.

2. Re-establish (or re-establish) healthy relationships

Living with cancer provides many people a new perspective, one that prioritizes relationships over all else. Given the stress of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, it's not unexpected that problems in relationships, particularly between couples, occur frequently. “Fight the cancer, not each other,” says Michael Uhl, MA, MDiv, LMFT, a Mind-Body Therapist at CTCA in Zion, Illinois. He suggests the following ideas for constructing a house:

• Maintain open channels of communication and draw on previous expertise. Whenever a crisis occurs, make an effort to improve communication. Mutual understanding, not necessarily agreement, should be the goal. It may be painful to discuss feelings, yet it is unshared feelings that cause relationships to suffer.
• Make sure you have a strong support system in place. Bringing friends and other family members on board might provide a much-needed reprieve from caregiving obligations, even if your partner is ready to do it all. Both patients and caregivers require “down time” to manage the plethora of experiences and emotions that accompany cancer treatment, recovery, and survivorship.
• Speak with a therapist who has experience with cancer. Speaking with an unbiased therapist who has worked with other cancer patients can assist couples in expressing their emotions and confirming that the sentiments they are experiencing are normal. Discussing all of the emotions—fear, anger, and grief—either together or separately brings them to the surface and aids in the development of useful coping mechanisms.

Relationships with people you care about — a spouse, family, or close friends – and doing things you both enjoy are stimulating. They have a regenerating and restoring effect.

3. Control Your Thoughts

What do you think about when you're not working? It's only normal for people to inquire “When confronted with a catastrophic sickness, one would wonder, “Why me?” Focusing on this question, on the other hand, can leave you feeling stuck and frustrated. Focusing your thoughts on things that give you hope, on the other hand, might make you feel empowered and revitalize your spirit.

We invited members of our Cancer Fighters group, many of whom are cancer survivors, to provide encouraging remarks “It lifts their spirits.” The following are five of them “To motivate you, here are some “Inspiring Quotes”:

“According to Ardua.”

This Latin phrase translates to “The McIntyre family motto is “despite trials.” Richard A. McIntyre, Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, shared this.

“God is in control of the cancer; the cancer is not in control of me!” Viola Jones of Olathe, Kansas, shared this.

David Brown and Kathy Mosley, a patient and caregiver from Fairbanks, Alaska, believe one of Baha'u'llah's Baha'i prayers in the Baha'i Prayer book brings them much comfort and peace:

“O my God, memory of Thee is my remedy, and Thy name is my mending.

My aim is to be near Thee, and my companion is love for Thee.

Thy mercy to me is my salvation and healing in both this world and the next.

“Truly, you are the All-Abundant, the All-Knowing, and the All-Wise.”

Kimalea Conrad, a cancer survivor from Telluride, Colorado, says Bible verses inspire her; one of her favorites is the one below. “To me, this verse signifies that cancer has no ability to make me terrified unless I allow it,” Conrad explains.

“God did not give us a fearful spirit, but a spirit of strength, love, and self-control.” Revelation 2:7

Surviving cancer typically demands a heroic amount of physical, mental, and spiritual courage, as any survivor or caregiver knows. “Rev. Percy believes that connecting to a greater source of power can bring that balance, stability, and grounding. “Many of us overlook the most obvious sources of meaning, worth, and purpose: service, forgiveness, hope, peace, and faith. Connecting to these global forces of empowerment is, in many ways, the simplest method to rekindle our spirit.”

What does it mean to be weak in spirit?

‘Poor in spirit,' to modern ears, is an unusual statement, at least outside of religious circles. The traditional interpretation, which is popular among evangelicals, is that it refers to persons who recognize their spiritual poverty and need for God. The phrase “blessed are the mourners” refers to people who repent and lament for their misdeeds.

Now, all of this is very true. If you come to God like that, he will not reject you. In the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus teaches this. “God, thank you that I'm not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector,” the Pharisee prayed. “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” said the tax collector as he hung his head. CSB Luke 18:10-14 The tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home with God, according to Jesus.

In Luke's Gospel's Beatitudes, Jesus simply declares, “Blessed are you who are impoverished, for the kingdom of God is yours.” 6:20 in the Bible. There isn't any talk of being impoverished in spirit, only destitute. Not only that, but the impoverished are pitted against the wealthy. “But woe to the wealthy, for you have earned your reward” (v 24). Similarly, Jesus contrasted those who are hungry with those who are already full, and those who grieve with those who laugh (verses 21&25).

In Matthew, this is the same word meaning poor, and it is a very severe epithet. There are two separate words in Greek that we interpret as impoverished in the New Testament. The word alludes to the grinding poverty of the absolute poorest, the beggar bowed down by poverty (ptchos).

Jesus is implying that the kingdom of God belongs to the lowest of the poor financially, to those who have been crushed by poverty, whereas the wealthy have already received their recompense. This may appear radical, but it is similar to another of Jesus' teachings, which he repeated over and over: “Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (Matt 19:30 also Matt 20:16 Mark 10:31 & Luke 13:30).

Who are the poor in spirit in Matthew's Beatitudes if Jesus is standing with those who are materially impoverished in Luke's Beatitudes? How can a human spirit be impoverished?

There's no need to engage into philosophical debates about the nature of the human spirit, thankfully. The depictions of this inner component of the human being in the Bible are much simpler, and the people portrayed are extremely recognisable when we see them.

Because of everything God had done, Mary characterized her spirit as celebrating, literally bouncing with delight, when she visited her cousin Elizabeth Luke 1:47.

Peter's spirit was defined by Jesus as willing, albeit the word ‘willing' does not do the word credit. ‘Eager' is getting closer. “Stay attentive and pray so that you will not succumb to temptation,” Jesus advised. “The flesh is weak, but the spirit is eager.” CEB (Matthew 26:41). Peter was filled with zeal in his heart, resolved to follow Jesus no matter what the cost. However, Jesus recognized that the remainder of Peter was not up to the task and that Peter would soon betray him. Peter's attitude was strong and full of passion and self-assurance. His spirit, on the other hand, was ‘writing checks that his body couldn't cash.'

On the other hand, below are some of the Old Testament's portrayals of the human spirit (quotations from the Christian Standard Bible CSB).

The human soul might be cheerful, as Mary was, or eager, as Peter was, or it can be broken, crushed, or afflicted. If the kingdom of God is for people who are bowed down by financial necessity and exterior conditions in Luke's Beatitudes, Jesus welcomes those who are crushed and shattered on the inside in Matthew.

These Beatitudes aren't about our dependence on God, though that is true as well. Instead, it's about Jesus' personal compassion, his identification with the poorest of the poor, and his outreach to the outcasts and shattered.

We cannot undervalue how significant this is to Jesus, and how significant it should be to us as his followers. The gospels are replete with instances of Jesus ministering to the impoverished and misfits. By eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus astonished and outraged polite society and the religious elite. After the Sermon on the Mount, the first thing we see Jesus do is transgress the Old Testament purity requirements by touching an unclean leper and curing him (Matthew 8:1-4).

If the Sermon on the Mount is “the manifesto of the Kingdom of God,” then Jesus' inaugural speech, where he revealed his personal commission from God his father, was when he spoke in the Synagogue in Nazareth and read out from the Messianic prophesy in Isaiah 61.

4:16 Luke (WEB) He returned to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath, he went inside the synagogue and stood up to read, as was his tradition.

17

He was given the book of the prophet Isaiah. He took out the book and opened it to the page where it was written.

18″The Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the needy, thus the Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the prisoners, to restore sight to the blind, and to set free those who have been crushed.

20He sat down after closing the book and returning it to the attendant. Everyone in the synagogue had their gaze fixed on him.

21He began by telling them, “Today, in your hearing, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

See the similarities between Jesus' preaching of Isaiah 61 and the Beatitudes, Jesus' compassion for the impoverished, the crushed, and the brokenhearted?

It's not simply about being forgiven of our sins and going to heaven in the kingdom of God that Jesus calls us to. It's about God's love and compassion for us, and how that love manifests itself in our lives, the church, and society as a whole. It's about encouraging oppressed people to love their adversaries and forgive their oppressors while fighting injustices, discrimination, and intolerance that oppress and marginalize them. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus went on to tell his followers that they should be salt and light to the entire world. It was just as extreme to read from Isaiah 61 and announce its fulfillment. Spiritually, we comprehend it, but it was also social. This prophecy was a pronouncement of the year of Jubilee (Lev 25:8-55) for 1st century Jews, with all its social demands of property redistribution, debt forgiveness, and the release of criminals and slaves.

The Beatitudes present a challenge to the well-off and well-adjusted in terms of how we welcome and treat those who are less fortunate than we are. It is a radical statement of Jesus' compassion and open-armed welcome to us in all our brokenness and anguish to the impoverished and hurting.

How can I strengthen my spiritual self?

Religion brings spirituality to some people, but it does not bring spirituality to others. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to spiritual well-being. Here are a few ideas to get you started if you're not sure where to start.

According to a Gallup poll, 43% of Americans claim to be members of a church or other religious organization. These houses of worship provide a variety of opportunities for those living with mental illnesses to connect with others in their communities.

Reconnect with someone or an organization that shares your ideas and thoughts, whether online, over the phone, or in person. Find ways to connect with like-minded people in your religion community who can support and encourage you by reaching out to a pastor or spiritual leader.

“Many people's support mechanisms were taken away from them during the pandemic—church, volunteering, support groups,” Wester added. “It was especially difficult for individuals who were already dealing with mental health concerns.” I advise people to reconnect with their religion group as soon as they are physically secure to do so.”

It's fine if you don't have a faith community. Finding a cause that resonates to you and giving back is another way to feel connected to your spirituality and faith. Working in a food pantry, becoming a mentor or tutor, or fostering an animal are all options. As a result, your community will develop and you will be able to meet individuals who share your interests. It will offer you a sense of purpose and thankfulness to serve others.

You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from the practice's spiritual benefits. Yoga is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It can improve your mind and spirit, as well as strengthen and stretch your body, by lowering stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

You don't have to be an expert meditator like you don't have to be an experienced yoga practitioner. Because it takes so little time, meditation is one of the easiest disciplines to keep. “Some people believe you must sit and be silent, but this is not the case,” Wester explained. “You can walk while meditating, paying attention to the sensations of your feet on the ground and the intricacies of your surroundings. Simply slowing down your body can help you calm down your mind.”

Even five minutes of meditation can help you reduce stress, despair, and worry while also increasing your mindfulness. There are numerous fantastic guided meditation applications, such as Calm or Balance, if you need help.

Writing can help you process your emotions, raise your awareness, and provide a nonjudgmental space for you to express your feelings in the present. Start a daily thankfulness notebook with prompts or write down your anxieties and fears.

Spending time in nature, whether you live in the mountains, the desert, or near the ocean, can improve your spiritual health. You can't seem to get away from your phone, your day, and your problems. Even a few minutes spent watching the birds, trees swinging in the breeze, or crashing waves on the shoreline can be relaxing.

Find activities that you enjoy, such as knitting, coloring, cooking, sports, or working out. Focusing on things you enjoy might help you regain a feeling of purpose and stay present in the moment, even if only for a short time.

If you're having trouble connecting with your spiritual side or your mental health, get help from someone who is specially trained or someone you trust.

“Chaplains are specifically equipped to deal with religious issues in a clinical setting,” Wester added. They can assist validate your feelings without sweeping them under the rug. They can help you get back on track spiritually.”

How can I be awakened spiritually?

The spiritual journey—and the resulting “spiritual awakening” we seek—always appears to take place in some exotic location or following a spectacular incident.

Perhaps you believe you need to travel to Peru to drink ayahuasca or leave your spouse to get the spiritual awakening you seek?

From the comfort of your own home, you may connect with your spirituality and awaken to the lessons that are meant for you over and over again throughout your life.

How do you know you have a strong spirit?

People with a positive attitude have a lot going for them. They have a far better time dealing with life's ups and downs. They also approach life with zeal and an inner fire, and they lead a very active lifestyle.

We all want to be psychologically powerful, right? But how do you know whether your spirit is strong?

Both mentally and emotionally, strong spirits reveal themselves. Here are 31 telltale signs that you have a powerful spirit.

How do you know if you are spiritually mature?

All of the great spiritual traditions encourage people to care for others who are less fortunate. It is quite easy to tune out the voices of the weak as we go about our daily lives. The spiritually mature individual is always conscious of the poor's needs and is motivated to act on their behalf. They recognize that in order for a society to be healthy, it must care for its most vulnerable members.

What are spiritual strengths?

Spirituality, like many other character characteristics in the VIA Classification, has multiple dimensions. Meaning, purpose, life calling, universe beliefs, the expression of virtue/goodness, and activities that link with the transcendence are only a few of them. Scientists have consistently defined spirituality as the search for a connection with “the divine.” The sacred can refer to everything that is blessed, holy, honored, or unique. The sacred can be found in the forgiveness offered by a child, a humble moment between a leader and a subordinate, an awe-inspiring sunset, a profound experience during meditation or a religious service, or the self-sacrificing kindness of a stranger; the sacred can be found in the forgiveness offered by a child, a humble moment between a leader and a subordinate, an awe-inspiring sunset, a profound experience during meditation or a religious service, Spirituality is a character trait that entails the conviction that there is a dimension to life that is beyond human comprehension. Some people do not associate this belief with the concept of divinity, preferring to conceive of it in terms of a sense of meaning rather than spirituality, but the two are closely related in the VIA Classification. Spirituality is thought to encompass both the private, intimate relationship that exists between humanity and the divine, as well as the resulting virtues. Spirituality is a worldwide phenomenon. Although spiritual beliefs vary in content, many societies have a sense of a supreme, transcendent, sacred power.

How does God refresh my soul?

Every cry of the heart has a response from God. The Father will “send us another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby),” as Jesus says in John 14:16 (AMP).

We're already dehydrated by the time we're thirsty. This holds true for our spiritual lives as well. But finding refreshment in Him is not difficult; all we have to do is position ourselves to receive it.

Our refreshment is directly proportional to the level of our repentance.

“So repent and turn to God, and your sins will be forgiven, and the Lord will send you times of refreshing.” 3:19 (NASB)

The narrative of Gideon is told in Judges 6:1–24. The Israelites were bad in the eyes of the Lord, according to verse 1, thus the Lord delivered them to the Midianites for seven years.

In verse 6, they say: “cried out to the Lord for assistance.”

God responded by sending them Gideon, a rescuer.

The Holy Spirit refreshes us like a refreshing shower, washing away the dirt that has accumulated on us as a result of living life without God. It could be anything from tension and stress to sadness and grief as a result of difficult circumstances.

To wipe things away, we must acknowledge God and repent before Him, just as the Israelites did.

Repentance entails making a 180-degree reversal and beginning to live life God's way rather than our own.

Our refreshment is greater than our reality.

When the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon in verses 11-14, his initial instinct is to protest and inform him that God has abandoned the Israelites. Gideon, on the other hand, presses the Lord's angel to persuade him that he is the Lord. In verses 14-24, we see how the Lord reveals His strength, instilling faith in Gideon that he and his people have a future. Gideon was able to substitute his image of abandonment for the Lord's promise of future blessing.

(ESV) Isaiah 44:3 God offers nutrition and refreshment by pouring forth His Spirit on us. Our hungry and thirsty hearts can be filled by the Holy Spirit. It's as though water is being poured over a thirsty land when our souls are revived. “The Lord is my shepherd,” says Psalm 23. He takes me to verdant pastures, walks me beside still waters, and refreshes my spirit.”

Our refreshment is to go out to bless others.

Peace and hope are brought by the Holy Spirit. We must, however, spread that serenity and blessing to others.

A “generous person will thrive,” according to Proverbs 11:25, and “whoever refreshes others will be rejuvenated.” It's another example of the Biblical sowing and reaping idea. We receive a blessing of refreshment when we replenish others.

• Discuss a time when the Holy Spirit blessed you by filling you up after answering to a cry from your heart.
• Use this opportunity to pray with anyone in the group who is spiritually parched and in need of the Holy Spirit's refreshment.

How do you refresh your soul?

You have a deadline to meet, but you're feeling unproductive and stressed? You can't seem to concentrate and nothing goes as planned? You appear to be in need of a fast re-energize. You can always take 15 minutes to refuel and rejuvenate yourself, even if you are too busy.

To feel good and operate with a lot of energy, it's critical to renew your soul and intellect. Here are 11 techniques to cleanse your soul and mind in just 15 minutes that you may do every day!

Keep yourself hydrated by drinking one glass of water

If you drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, your brain and body will be jolted out of their slumber. When you're stressed, drinking one glass of water can help you feel better and stay focused. It's critical to stay hydrated because dehydration can impair brain function.

Are you startled by this information? Most Americans, according to studies, are chronically dehydrated. Half of your body weight in ounces every day, according to scientists. A 120-pound woman, for example, should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water. Although juice, tea, and coffee are more flavorful than water, they cannot substitute for it. If the flavor isn't to your liking, add some mint leaves or lemon slices.