In an attempt to recruit and retain top talent in a competitive marketplace, many companies are upgrading their employee benefit programs by offering onsite fitness centers and company-sponsored cafeterias. These employee benefits rate high on employee attitude surveys and are a win-win for both the employee and employer. They provide convenience, affordable meals, and fitness services that lead to healthier and happier employees, heightened company morale, and increased employee productivity.
On-site company gyms and cafeterias are an incentive to employees who desire to achieve and maintain healthier lifestyles. Companies providing this perk will generally offer fitness training and healthier food choices at no cost or at reduced prices. Convenient access, cost savings, built-in social connection, and overall well-being are an encouragement to employees who might otherwise skip meals or working out to engage in regular physical exercise and healthy food choices.
Although these benefits aid in providing employees physical sustenance and fitness, they don’t address the nourishment needed to maintain good spiritual health. Good spiritual health is the primary and most essential need for any Christian who wants to attain and maintain the abundant life Jesus promised and paid for with his blood on the cross. As stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, man is a tripartite being made up of spirit, soul, and body. The Scripture reads, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Just as regular exercise and a good, well-balanced diet are required to maintain good physical health, good spiritual health requires us to renew our minds with God’s Word; displacing and exchanging the world’s way of thinking and doing for God’s way of thinking and doing. This can only be achieved by daily Bible reading and consist meditation on God’s Word; repeatedly speaking His Word over your life daily.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2, NKJV)
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:10, AMP)
How is your spiritual health? Are you spiritually fit? Have you been tested lately? When you are under pressure or stress do you respond by speaking God’s Word over the problem or situation or do you feel hopeless, giving in to worry and fear, and expect the worst possible outcome? In Matthew 6:31–33, Jesus promises us that if we seek Him first, then everything we need will be provided; wisdom, health, righteousness, deliverance, prosperity, wholeness, shelter, food, clothing—all things.
Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:31–34, NKJV)
Stop and pray now. Ask the Lord to give you a deep abiding hunger and thirst for His Word and His righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Ask Him to turn your heart towards Him and to draw you into a deep, intimate relationship with Him. Then—believe! Believe that the Lord will help you become spiritually fit as you renew your mind daily by consuming the eternal, life-changing, love, grace, and peace of God’s Word. Indulge in a spirit-healthy diet of the Word and live well!
