When in high school, I experimented, not with drugs, but with something quite different. My interest was not the norm. I wanted to see how long I could focus on divine concepts throughout the day.

Why?

I had become intrigued with the idea that spiritual thinking could have a direct impact on health.

My experiment took place several decades ago before published studies revealed the positive mental and physical effects attributed to prayer and spiritual living.

Here’s a brief description of my results:

Day 1: Got out of bed – ate a bowl of cereal – all the while, thinking about divine ideas. However, as soon as my brothers and I piled into our old ‘55 Chevy to head to school, I forgot all about the experiment.

Day 2: Got out of bed – ate a bowl of cereal – all the while, thinking about divine ideas. Continued prayerful reasoning all the way to school. Unfortunately, as soon as the Chevy pulled into the parking lot, pondering anything close to being considered spiritual went out the window.

Yes, progress was slow. But, each day brought improvement.

Day 24: I was aware of the metaphysical nature of life from the moment I lifted my head off the pillow in the morning until I laid my head back on the pillow at night.

Conclusion: It was possible to be active and yet be mindful of a divine presence and power throughout the day.

By-product of the experiment: The more I contemplated and reasoned through the spiritual significance behind everything in my life, the more I was to able to expect, demand, and witness health in others and experience it myself.

Today, years later, I consistently try to be mindful of the divine nature of things. However, I don’t beat myself up if I’m unable to be spiritually aware the whole day. I’m just grateful that I can quickly “plug in” and utilize divine power when it is needed.

The Apostle Paul, taking cues from Jesus, healed physical problems because of his acquired spiritual sense. Then he encouraged others to “pray without ceasing.” To be unceasing calls for effort. But, as I’ve found, the effort brings results.

Since my high school experiment, I’ve learned:

When it comes to helping yourself, Jesus counseled, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.”

Of course, you should never neglect human needs; Jesus fed himself, his students, and thousands who followed him. His point: What you focus on will impact your health, for better or worse. Spiritual wisdom helps you choose the better.

Rather than a fearful fixation and expectation of pain and suffering based on material laws, objects, and sensations, it may be more beneficial to learn and cherish that you are a divine being and subject to spiritual laws. The more you consider yourself as divinely created and maintained, the more the body becomes subordinate to your growing spiritual understanding.

Now, it’s your turn: Go ahead, grab breakfast, jump into an old ‘55 Chevy, and even when distractions come, never stop contemplating what benefits you the most.

Whether it’s Day 24 or 104, you too can “pray without ceasing.”