3 Tips to Improve Heart Fitness

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Is your heart fit? At any time of the day, on any day of the week, you can turn on the television and find a program, commercial or news story highlighting the newest health craze. Eat this or cut that to shed pounds and improve the health of your heart. Why all the attention? Because without your heart, you will not survive.

Today, I want to talk about another function of the heart. One that the Jewish people in biblical times took very seriously. As the center of one’s being, the Jewish people saw the human heart as the core of a person’s soul. Actions, behaviors, language—these are all a reflection of the condition of your heart.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Restated, this verse means to guard your heart from outside influence to protect it from Satan’s lures because everything important in life flows from your heart. Think about it. Your relationship with God–a heart thing. Your pursuit of your spouse– a heart thing. Your greatest desires–a heart thing. Good or bad, your most valued areas belong to your heart.

So I will re-ask my original question. Is your heart fit? If you have room for improvement (as all of us do), here are 3 tips to improve spiritual heart healthiness. They’re pretty much the same as with your physical heart: Eat well, Exercise and Rest. Let me explain.

1) Eat well: Study the Bible. The Bible is the sustenance that builds you spiritually.

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby … ” I Peter 2:2

2) Exercise: Just as in life, exercise builds endurance and strength. To be spiritually fit, one must exercise. Here are a few examples of the types of exercise a Christian needs:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints … ” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

3) Rest: It is important to rest in the promises of God and trust His mercies. Christ said:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

As you go through your day, remember how important your heart is and remember the advice of your doctor. The lifeblood of your spiritual heart depends on it!

What are your tips to improve heart fitness?