Mental fitness deals with what we believe. How we handle difficult times and challenges in our lives determines how fit we are mentally. Mental fitness also shapes how we respond to what people say or think about us. How we respond and react to life’s experiences is contingent upon how fit we are mentally.
Last week I intentionally began with Spiritual Fitness because it is the foundation of what shapes our lives. Our spiritual fitness determines how well we are suited to fulfill the calling and destiny given to us by God. Being spiritually fit fosters the ability to be mentally fit. You are mentally fit when you believe the right things about yourself, your abilities, and who you are created to be.
What do you believe about yourself?
Mental fitness starts with you. What do you believe about yourself? It is easy to focus on perceived flaws in our appearance and characteristics. Train yourself to see more of the positive things about yourself than the negative things you see or feel. For the negative things you perceive, determine what things about yourself should be accepted as how you were created or things you can focus on improving. Ultimately focus on who God says you are.
Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
God did not make any mistakes when He created you. Everything about you was created intentionally. There are times where He will use challenges and situations to develop, grow and mature us. The essence of who you are, the personality traits you have, how you think, and how you process were included in your design to fulfill the purpose He created you for. While God will use life to mold and shape those qualities, do not accept the belief that you have to be or suppose to be anyone else other than who He created, and is shaping you to be. Not believing in Christ opens you up to believing lies about who you are and who you should be. Believe and say to yourself, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God!”
What do you believe about your abilities?
Mental fitness also deals with your capabilities. What you believe you can and cannot do is a part of what you believe about yourself. While there should be healthy boundaries, we should never allow ourselves to be held back from things that would allow us to grow and have a positive influence on others.
Philippians 4: 13 ” I can do all things through [a]Christ who strengthens me.”
In Christ we are able to have relationship with God. Through Christ we have the ability to achieve and accomplish anything God created us to do as well as anything we desire to do as long as it lines up with His will and His Word. Outside of Christ, we lose the guarantee of this promise. This is another reason why spiritual fitness is important to your mental fitness. People become mentally unfit because they believe lies about themselves that are not true. Their beliefs become unstable and ever changing. It turns into an uncomfortable and unforgiving mental cycle. Not believing in Christ opens you up to believing lies about the capabilities God has given you. Believe and say to yourself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. “
Mental fitness is also evident in what we believe when we face challenging and difficult situations. What do you believe about yourself and your abilities when faced with obstacles? As seen above, we can also confidently declare that we are more than conquers through Him no matter what we face or encounter. Do not be held back from your destiny. Put your faith in Christ and trust that God will help you overcome the obstacles and challenges you are currently facing and will face in the future. People become mentally unfit when they allow doubt and fear to keep them from growing and doing what they know they are suppose to do. When challenges and obstacles arise, believe and say to yourself “I am more than a conquer through Christ who loves me!”
What do you believe about who you are created to be?
Mental fitness includes what you believe about who you were created to be. God created you for a purpose. Many people die without achieving their purpose because they do not put their trust and faith in the One who created them and gave them purpose. You will not find your purpose in the world. Those who try are left empty and unhappy even if they do not look like it in public. You will only find your purpose if choose to follow Christ and put your trust in Him.
Jeremiah 29:11 ” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This is a promise we can receive for ourselves in Christ. God created us with a purpose and He knows the plans that will us get there. The requirement is that we accept His will and His way. People are mentally unfit when they believe they do not have a purpose. They get frustrated trying to do things to find purpose instead of accepting the One who created them with purpose. Your plans will lead to destruction. Don’t get frustrated. Don’t take your life. Put your faith and trust in Christ, receive His Spirit to guide you, and trust His plan for your life. Don’t believe the lie that you have missed your purpose or calling. You will find fulfillment and your God created purpose through an intimate relationship with Him. Believe and say to yourself, “My life has purpose and He knows the plans that will allow me to achieve them!”
Be Mentally Fit
Just as working out your faith impacts your spiritual fitness, working out your beliefs will impact your mental fitness. What are you believing? Be conscious of what you are feeding yourself mentally from what you read, hear, watch and listen to. This includes people, music, television, social media, podcasts, the internet, and everything else you use your eyes and ears to take in. Allow the Holy Spirit guide you and filter what you take in. Read your bible and pray every day to ensure your mind stays healthy. Worship God and listen to what He has to say. Get adequate rest! Your mind needs it. Avoid stress and being overwhelmed as much as possible. When it seems impossible, trust God and allow “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding… guard your [heart and mind] through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Be faithful with doing these things (digits) and you will grow mentally (fitness) no matter what season you are in or challenges you face.
Fitness By Digits