Spiritual Fitness Training in Valor: Crisis Intervention
Christ-Is Intervention

By Anthony Benjamin Cosenza Ph.D.

Spiritual Fitness Training in Valor is a spiritually bold training guide that answers timeless questions concerning crises. How can I prevail over critical circumstances? What are effective keys to resisting pressure? What can I do to maintain courage and resilience when faced with danger? Persuaded that these solutions are found in God, the author/psychologist offers a spiritual strength-training regimen that includes spiritual weight, resistance, and "cardio-aerobic" exercises. He shows us how to overcome crises by accepting the prevailing power of God and lifting specific "weights of worship." We learn how to resist our spiritual adversary through five pressure-releasing exercises. As we actively pursue the spiritual "cardio/aerobics" of walking boldly for God, we transcend conflicting spiritual messages from the world concerning truth. This unique spiritual fitness program in valor has major applications for spiritual leaders, mental health professionals, and health fitness trainers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 6, 2007
• ISBN: 9780595821983

Anthony Benjamin Cosenza Ph.D.

In private practice over 40 years as a psychologist, Dr. Cosenza continues to counsel and serve as a confidant for individuals, couples and families in crises. He is a lifetime member of the American Psychological Association and served as associate professor at a graduate school for two decades. Since 1980, Dr. Cosenza has published several books on counseling, spirituality and crises. Contact the author, Dr. Cosenza: COVALENT COUNSEL (COVA) [e-mail] 1.917.957.4749

Book preview

SPIRITUAL FITNESS

TRAINING IN VALOR

Crisis Intervention

Christ-is Intervention

Volume II

Anthony Benjamin Cosenza, Ph.D.

iUniverse,Inc.

New York Lincoln Shanghai

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING IN VALOR

Crisis Intervention

Christ-is Intervention

Copyright © 2007 by Anthony B. Cosenza

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

iUniverse

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Lincoln, NE 68512

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

All scriptures used, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the King James Version of The Bible. Explanatory insertions of scripture verses by the author are enclosed in brackets [].

ISBN: 978-0-595-82198-3 (ebook)

I thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for helping me to persist in researching the scriptures. My heartfelt gratitude is extended to friends and colleagues for their continued support in editing this book.

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Section One

Spiritual Valor

Part I

Valiant Living

1   Four-Step Process of Valor

2   Virtues of Valor

Part II

Spiritual Strength Training

3   God’s Strength

4   Strong In Him

5   Three Fitness Levels of Strength

Section Two

Fitness Level I: Prevalence Training:

Spiritual Weight Training

Part III

God Prevails

6   God’s Built-in Weights of Prevailing

7   Acts of Spiritual Courage

8   God Energizes Us to Prevail

9   The Prevailing Christ

10  Seven Prevailing Forces ofChrist

Part IV

Weight Training Exercises

11  Put on the New Man

12  Put on the WholeArmour of God

13  Lifting Weights of Worship

14  Weights of Grace

15  Weights of Word

16  Weights of Manifestations

17  Weights of Prayer

18  Weights of Fellowship

19  Weights of Reconciliation

20  Weights of Love

21  Weights of Hope

Section Three

Fitness Level II: Countervalence Training:

Spiritual Resistance Training

Part V

Spiritual Resistance

22  The Source andPurpose of Pressure

23  Resistance Exercises

24  Put Off the Old Man

25  Withstand Evil Forces

Part VI

Five Countervailing Exercises

26  Cast Pressures to the Father

27  Cast Down PressuresOnto the Word

28  Cast Away Pressures:Give and Receive

29  Cast Pressures WithOther Believers

30  Cast Out PressuringSpiritual Influences

Section Four

Fitness Level III: Ambivalence Training:

Spiritual Cardio/Aerobic Training

Part VII

Spiritual Aerobics

31  Walking Worthy

32  Spiritual Ambivalence

Part VIII

Climbing Spiritual Inclines

33  Walk in Christ

34  Walk in Newness of Life

35  Walk in Truth

36  Walk by Believing

37  Walk by the Spirit

38  Walk by the Same Standard

39  Walk in Love

40  Walk in Wisdom

Part IX

The Spiritual Cool Down

41  Refreshed and Rested

Epilogue

Appendix A      Glossary of Fitness Terms

Appendix B      Seventeen Con Games

References

About The Author

Foreword

In his second volume, Spiritual fitness training in valor, Dr. Cosenza provides timely and effective keys to living a life of courage, resilience, and civility. His exquisite explanation of the process and development of spiritual valor will motivate you to grow in power, love, and mental soundness. It is not simply a book of spiritual exercises, but a life-changing workout in and of itself.

Value systems take on a whole new dimension when we discover the author’s three fitness-training levels of valor. Prevalence training is an easy-to-do spiritual weight-bearing program that can help anyone to outweigh a crisis with the spiritual values of Christ. Countervalence training is a bold and provocative spiritual resistance regimen that exposes our real spiritual enemy and helps us to roll with the spiritual punches when confronted with his tricks and manipulations. Finally, ambivalence training or spiritual cardio-aerobics prepares us for the battle of handling daily conflicts and mixed messages regarding truth and valueness. Since I began to diligently follow this mental and spiritual strength-training program, I have experienced personal growth in courage and confidence toward God.

Several chapters on how to handle pressure unlock the spiritual source and purpose of pressure. There are four eye-opening spiritual stress-busters that strengthen our believing to overcome obstacles. His biblical research regarding spiritually toxic people, places, and things enlightens and startles the reader. The uniqueness of the author’s body of work on crisis intervention is found in his continued focus on Christ, the Spirit of God, and the scriptures as prevailing keys to victory in crises. This book is a must-read for those interested in spiritual solutions to seemingly natural events and critical circumstances.

Dr. Anthony Portafoglio

Professor, Mathematics

New York, New York

Introduction

How can I prevail over crises? What are the keys to overcoming stress? Where do I get the courage to handle daily conflicts? The answers to these taunting questions are found in the spiritual realm. In a world saturated with personal and global turmoil, we need the boldness and courage of God.

Psalm 27:14:

Wait on [trust] the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 60:12:

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

In sports fitness training, it is asserted that a solid exercise program frees us from stress and builds physical resilience. From a biblical perspective, spiritual fitness training is more profitable than physical exercise and is the key to valiant living.

I Timothy 4:7-8:

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

For bodily exercise profiteth little [for a little while]: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Godliness is an ongoing spiritual relationship with God that enables us to confront anything that assails. We exercise unto godliness by consistently accepting and holding forth God’s victory over crises.

Romans 10:9:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

When we shift lordships from ourselves to Christ, we become sons and daughters of God and receive the magnificent gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit].

I John 3:1:

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

This gift of the Holy Spirit is Christ in you.

Colossians 1:27:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

All that was in Christ is in you and me.

Galatians 2:20:

I am [was] crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Through a fuller comprehension of God’s prevailing work in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we realize that we have already overcome crises.

John 16:33:

These things I [Jesus Christ] have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation [mental pressure; crises]: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

II Corinthians 2:14(a):

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ …

We have a new divine nature, which is the spiritual seed of true character, courage, and civility.

II Peter 1:4:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The Bible is the primary source of instruction regarding the prevailing Christ and our authority in him. It is a training manual on how to reflect our righteousness and be valiant men and women for God.

II Timothy 3:16-17:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable [valuable] for doctrine [right information], for reproof [highlighting areas where we do not believe this information], for correction [relearning right information], for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works [fit for valor].

By way of the scriptures and the Holy Spirit, God works in us so that we can work out or exercise our triumph in Christ. He activates our spiritual awareness and guides our actions in the direction of godly courage and resilience.

Philippians 2:12-13:

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation [wholeness], with fear and trembling [deep admiration and wonder].

For it is God which worketh in you both to will [to activate our conscious experiences; to motivate us] and to do [to guide our actions and behaviors] of his good pleasure.

God never intended for us to be cowards. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we have three spiritual dimensions of true valor—power, love, and soundness of mind.

II Timothy 1:7:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear [powerlessness, lovelessness, and mental unsoundness]; but [the spirit] of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

To exude these qualities, we need spiritual strength training in the prevailing power of God and the triumphant Christ in us. This workout includes spiritual weight, resistance, and cardio-aerobic exercises.

SECTION ONE

SPIRITUAL VALOR

The word, valor, is related to the word, value. Its definitions include, "the strength of mind or spirit that enables a man to encounter danger with firmness" (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary) and personal courage especially in battle (The Oxford American Dictionary). The Bible reveals that true valor is a reflection of the spiritual valueness we already have in Christ. It is the strength of mind from the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit in us, and the force of God’s love to encounter and overcome critical situations.

Part I: Valiant Living explores the four-step process of valor—the journey from inner spiritual valueness to walking valiantly for God. To manifest this lifestyle of courage, we need to be strengthened in the virtues of valor.

Part II explores the strength of God and how to be strong in Him. Three fitness levels of spiritual strength training are introduced, which will consistently yield the spiritual fruit of valor needed to conquer any crisis.

Romans 8:37:

Nay, in all these things [in the midst of conflict and disaster], we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

PART I

Valiant Living

1

Four-Step Process of Valor

Valor is a dynamic process that begins when we first receive God’s spiritual valueness by way of the new spiritual birth. As a result, we yearn to worship God more. By His mercies and the work of the Holy Spirit within us, we renew our minds to the Word of God concerning Christ and boldly demonstrate our completeness in him.

Step #1: New-birth spiritual valueness

To receive spiritual valueness or righteousness, we need to be born-again with the Spirit of God.

John 3:3:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Romans 10:9-10:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness [spiritual valueness] and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It is not possible to demonstrate true spiritual valor without this inherent worthiness.

I John 2:29:

If ye know that he [Jesus Christ] is righteous [spiritually valued], ye know that every one that doeth righteousness [exhibits spiritual valor] is born of him [born again of the Holy Spirit and has inner spiritual valueness].

I John 3:7:

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness [is valiant] is righteous [already spiritually valued], even as he is righteous [valued; worthy].

Step #2: Supremely value (worship) God, the Father of Jesus Christ

With the gift of the Holy Spirit in us, we are automatically attracted to God and repulsed by the devil and his counterfeit overtures. Overflowing with thankfulness, we seek greater spiritual worship of God and rejoice in Christ because of the valueness we received.

Philippians 3:3:

For we are the circumcision [spiritually], which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus [the resurrected and ascended one], and have no confidence in the flesh [the five senses].

Philippians 2:10-11:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Step #3: Renewed-mind valueness

Whether we acknowledge it or not, God is the primary transformer of hearts. He encourages us to study and apply spiritual truths from His Word concerning our victorious position in Christ.

II Timothy 2:15:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

By His mercies, we can be changed by renewing our minds to God and His Word.

Romans 12:1-2:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service [worship].

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

This mind-renewal involves valuing, evaluating, and ultimately accepting the Word of God concerning the accomplished work of Christ and the power of Christ in us. We demolish any false reasoning that contradicts the scriptures concerning Christ.

II Corinthians 10:5:

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

The Holy Spirit also