Morning Discipline – A Focus On Holistic Health

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scenic view of snow capped mountain

Good morning!

It is a new week and a new day and I’m so glad you could join me as we continue our journey toward renewing our minds and improving our self-discipline. If you’re just joining me, you can read my article, “Morning and Evening: A New Self Discipline Journey” to learn more about why I am doing this, and how this may benefit you as well.

This week I have been traveling to Texas where I’ll be spending a few days ministering in that community through music, teaching, and more. So the last 2 days I haven’t been able to write anything up. Apparently the post I thought I had put up for Monday didn’t go through and I’m not sure why. So here I am now! I do apologize.

That said, we are going to focus each day on holistic health: physical, mental, spiritual, and relational. Each day this week I will provide affirmations, scriptures, and daily challenges regarding this topic. Next week will be a new one!

With that said, let’s start our morning together!

BREATHING EXERCISE

Before we begin let us take some deep breaths to calm our mind and prepare us for this mornings discipline.

MUSIC FOR A NEW DAY

I personally like to have some soft music in the background, so if that’s something you like as well below you will find a song you can play for the duration of our time together.

PRAYER For Holistic Health

Now that we’re calm, let us transition to a time of prayer. Over the next few minutes you can pray on your own or feel free to use the following prayer:

Oh Holy One,

I come before you today in need of your healing hand. In you all things are possible. Hold my heart within yours, and renew my mind, body, and soul. I am lost, but I come to you with grace.

You gave us life, and you also give us the gift of infinite joy. Give me strength to move forward on the path you’ve laid out for me. Guide me towards better health, and give me wisdom to identify those you’ve placed around me to help me get better.

Amen

Healing Prayers: Renew My Mind, Body, and Soul | www.xavier.edu

AFFIRMATIONS for Holistic Health

Here are a few affirmations for this morning that you can put in your pocket and carry with you throughout your day.

As you read through them, repeat each one out loud at least three times before moving to the next. Take your time. Close your eyes and say them to yourself as well. Let these words sink into your heart and mind this morning:

  1. My mind is clear and prepared for action.
  2. I am mindful that the health of my body and my soul are connected.
  3. My soul is not worth the riches of this world.
  4. I commit to loving others at all times no matter how they may treat me.

SCRIPTURES For Holistic Health

As Christians, our affirmations should be rooted in the strength and power of God who empowers us and strengthens us to face every trial and every day (both good and bad).

Here are some scriptures that further support the affirmations we just spoke to ourselves. Again, repeat each one three times out loud before moving to the next one. Take your time. Maybe try to commit these to memory as well:

  1. 1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:44, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”
  3. Mark 8:36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
  4. Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

TODAYS CHALLENGE

Our challenge today is this: to be mindful of how our mind, body, soul, and relationships are all interconnected.

Our overall (holistic) health is interconnected. Our minds, bodies, souls, and relationships all impact and reflect one another. When we struggle with one area, we begin to see struggles creep in with the other areas.

Too often we know issues are happening, but we put off addressing it and then as a result the internal struggles just compound one with another until it bubbles out and manifests itself in ways that we don’t intend them to, and usually later regret. This may be lashing out against a spouse, friend, co-worker, or child. It may be losing our temper in traffic. It may be choosing to binge eat things we know aren’t good for us. Whatever it may be, it will be unique for each person and it will usually manifest when we don’t want it to.

Today, let’s try to be mindful (keenly aware) of how these things that make up who we are all work together throughout our day. When we notice one area beginning to struggle, take a step back, assess the situation, adjust course, and continue forward.

Quote of the Day

I also wanted to include a little quote of the day that maybe you’ll find some inspiration in as well.

Today’s quote comes from author, speaker, and psychologist Anne Wilson Schaef, and she said:

Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.

Anne Wilson Schaef

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