I came across a recent piece titled “5 Essential Exercises for Healthy Aging.” It quickly became a favorite among readers. As someone in my 60s, I was among those checking it out. The exercises listed were push-ups, deadlifts, pull-ups, squats, and calf raises.
I already knew about all these exercises, which was a relief. They’re pretty accessible, and you typically don’t need a gym or fancy equipment. It served as a good reminder that focusing on these five exercises can really support healthy aging.
But what about essential practices for nurturing spiritual health? Is the outcome beneficial? These important disciplines and investments can help energize our faith, family lives, careers, and visions.
Take some time to think about these points.
1. Prayer
Prayer is—quite simply—the essence of spiritual life. While we can survive without food for weeks and without water for days, we can only manage a few seconds without breathing. It feels as if, without prayer, a spiritual life isn’t truly viable. As Evelyn Underhill puts it, it’s like “breathing the air of eternity.”
2. Bible
The Bible stands as the foundation of a Christian’s life. It’s God’s revelation, providing insights that we wouldn’t possess otherwise. The Bible is unique—alive and active, sharper than any sword, able to discern our innermost thoughts and feelings. (See Hebrews 4:12).
3. Silence and solitude
Aiming to emulate Jesus means seeking out silence and solitude. According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus often woke early, while it was still dark, to find a quiet place to pray (Mark 1). Luke also notes that Jesus regularly withdrew to pray alone (Luke 5:16). Thomas Kelly discusses the vital practice of entering into “reenactments of silence.”
4. Fear of God
There’s been a lot of discussion about the idea of not fearing God. While it’s well-meaning—many approach God with fear instead of the love of a child—there’s also a proper understanding of “fearing God.” This means having reverence for Him, acknowledging His presence and character seriously. It’s important to keep in mind that the warmth of His love can also be intense. A healthy reverence for God can serve as our life’s guardrails.
5. Gratitude
James reminds us that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). Honestly, always viewing life as half empty, rather than half full, can be aging in itself. The Psalms encourage us to reflect and express gratitude for what we’ve received, fostering joy from within rather than fleeting happiness based on outside circumstances.
If you incorporate these five practices into your life, you may notice a different experience of aging.
And the conclusion can also be uplifting.
source of information
Gretchen Reynolds, “Experts say these 5 exercises are the key to staying healthy and aging better.”
Evelyn Underhill, “Breathing Eternal Air.”
Thomas Kelly, “Proof of Dedication.”
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