Most Saturday mornings I walk with my sister.  It’s such a sweet time of communion and fellowship, not to mention the health benefits. However, this Saturday morning I struggled with lightheadedness and weakness during our walk. This week was very stressful at work, and I often didn’t have time to stop and eat or drink water. Yesterday was no exception. After several days of spotty meals and insufficient hydration, walking our usual three miles was challenging. Waves of weakness washed over me as we walked. Praise God I made it, but the experience reminded me of an important lesson for us as believers.

To work and live, we need energy, which we get from the nutrition and nourishment of food and water. If we don’t consume the right amount, our bodies weaken. The same applies to our spirits. Spiritually, God has called us to walk the path of discipleship, which requires energy and guidance. Jesus is the bread of life, and God’s word and presence are our food and nourishment. If we don’t regularly feed our spirits, we will experience spiritual weakness, just as I did physically this morning.

Have you been feeling spiritually weak? When facing challenges, do you feel faint? Ask yourself if you are feeding your spirit. Are you regularly taking in God’s presence and word? Are you abiding in Him and staying connected to the vine? It matters because the only way to stay spiritually nourished and healthy is to continually take in spiritual nourishment. Just as our bodies consume the nutrition we eat and it is necessary that we regularly take in nutrients, our journey with the Lord uses and consumes the spiritual nourishment we bring in through His Spirit and work in us. We need to regularly take in spiritual nourishment. That is why God doesn’t give us everything all at once. Instead, He saves us, and we continually draw from Him. This drawing is an action we choose to do or not to do.

Of course, there are heavy moments that are impossible to face without extra grace from God, no matter how strong we are spiritually. However, if you actively pursue God, building and feeding your spirit, He will give you strength to persevere. You will still face challenges, but you will face them with a spirit soaked in God, a mind renewed with His word, and a heart passionate to follow Him no matter what.

God has not called us to a race on an easy road.  It is not one we can complete in our strength alone.  Our journey requires much more. The only way to strengthen yourself and prepare for each day with the Lord is to prioritize your spiritual nourishment. It matters. 

Are you feeling weak in the face of everyday challenges? Consume the bread of life, stop and drink from the living water of God’s word and Spirit. You don’t need to continue lacking strength; it’s right there for you, but you have to take it. No matter how busy I am at work this week, I will set aside time for regular nourishment to avoid feeling physically weak. I want to be able to walk next Saturday and feel stronger. Even more importantly, I will continue to feed my spirit because life is much harder than a three-mile walk. The challenges we face are greater, so we must continually draw from the Lord, consume the bread of life, receive the words of life, renew our minds with His word, and always remain in thankful prayer.

There’s no need to continue in spiritual weakness when there is such abundance. You need only to sit at His table and be nourished by Him.