EXERCISING YOUR SOUL

　
I Tim. 4:8 Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.

Some people are exercise fanatics. They are determined to stay in great physical shape and discipline themselves to achieve it. Some take it further and go beyond what others do. They are determined to reach the max that that their bodies can do. They strive to be amongst the best. Those who exercise a lot know its value. They know that the better shape they keep their bodies in, the healthier they will be. They know that an undisciplined body gets flabby and is prone to fail when strength and endurance is needed.

As important as it is to take care of one's body, it is far more important to take care of one's soul. No matter how great of shape the body is in, it ages and it will fail you. All of us will die someday. However, the soul never dies. We are eternal, spiritual beings and we will live on after we no longer are physically alive. What we do with our souls here on earth determines where we will be eternally. Those who take care of their souls will go to heaven when they die, and those who don't will be in hell.

Spiritual exercise is essential for a healthy soul. We must discipline our souls and feed it properly. We must put it through a rigorous daily exercise program. We must keep it busy. We must strive to put what we feed it into good use. We must work out our salvation. A well-fed soul that is never exercised is a flabby soul that will never stand up in the midst of the adversities of life. Salvation is as much doing as it is believing and trusting. A well-exercised soul is a victorious soul. It is a soul blessed by God, both now in this life, and forever.