Four Dimensions of Energy

Our full engagement draws on four sources or four dimensions of Energy says Jim Loehr in his book The Power of Full Engagement. As we look at these sources and how they work, we begin to see the Circle of Health at work again. Yes, health is a circle. Each aspect affects each of  the other aspects.

Christian Lense

I’ve actually been rethinking this book by Jim Loehr as I look through a Christian, Biblical view. I did not get the impression Mr. Loehr was a Christain upon my first reading many years ago. However, as I look at this again, I do see great parallels. As I research the internet about him, I also see hints  that he is.

What are the Four Dimensions of Energy?

NOTE: Only the categories are from Jim Loehr. I have added the comments about each category based on scripture.

Physical

• Physical (the quantity of our energy) – God gave each of us a body to live in as our temporary earth home. This body must have adequate food, water, sleep, and exercise or the quantity of our energy will suffer. IF the body is not disciplined or it will act as a spoiled child, demanding all it sees and wants. Remember this key point, your body is not the real you just as your car is not you.  It is something you use while on this earth. It must be trained to obey.

Mental

• Mental (the focus of our energy) – God has instructed us to think about things good, pure, lovely, and of a good report. if we follow his guidelines of focus, energy increases. Our quality of energy is charged. Negative thoughts must be immediately captured and cast down as they are extremely destructive, stealing not only energy but health and life as well.

Emotional

• Emotional (the quality of our energy) –  Our intentional mindset that has been consistently chosen and practiced will set the tone for the quality of our energy.  We chose love, faith, hope, gratefulness, and peace.  It is a choice.  Our renewed mind will produce emotions in line with God’s word. God doesn’t renew our minds once we are born again.  It is our choice and our responsibility to study the Word and renew our minds.

Spiritual

• Spiritual (the force of our energy) Psalms 87:7 says that all our springs, our sources of life and energy, are in Him.  As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are in Him. He is in us. The forces of life and energy are in our Spirit man just waiting to be released as our mind is renewed.

“Wherefore, my beloved ones, as you always obeyed not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, carry to its ultimate conclusion [likeness to the Lord Jesus] your own salvation with a wholesome, serious caution and trembling, for God is the One who is constantly putting forth His energy in you, both in the form of your being desirous of and of your doing His good pleasure.”  ~ Phil 2:12,13 AMP

Can We Under or Over Stress These Dimensions

“If any of these dimensions is under-stressed or over-stressed our

Being able to shed stress and be grateful is a rare quality.

performance suffers. For example, if we don’t get enough sleep or eat poorly, our energy store is depleted.  If our energy is constantly precipitated by the perception of threat, fear or survival, we’ll quickly burn out.  And if we are constantly distracted or feel that our work lacks purpose, well, we know how that turns out… half-a-head or half-a-heart never produces our best work.” ~ Loehr.
I see this as true in three of the energy dimensions. In the Spiritual dimension, we can definitely under-stress this area by not renewing our minds and not activating all that is in our inner spirit man.  And a person who is NOT a new creation in Christ can overstress this dimension, not being of the nature of Christ.  However, as New Creations in Christ Jesus, I don’t see how we might over-stress this dimension.

“The most fundamental source of energy is physical; the most significant is spiritual.” ~ Loehr

Two Common Understressed Areas

Loehr points out:  “Most people are under stressed physically and spiritually, and overstressed emotionally and mentally.” My thought from the study of God’s Word is that the physical and mental area are the key understessed areas.  Failing to exercise and take care of ourselves results in a weak undisciplined body. Failing to renew our minds to the Word of God results in a weak mental being easily siding with a weak body and keeping the spirit man locked inside.

A Few Common Performance Barriers

Low Energy
Impatience
Defensiveness
Negative Attitude
Critical of Others
Low Self-Confidence
Negative / Pessimistic Thinking

Deepest Values Checklist

My deepest values have changed in the past few years. I’m finding that as I renew my mind to God’s Word and find out just who I am in Christ Jesus, many of my top values come into place automatically.

Do you have a list of your deepest core values?

Reading List

A Non-Christian Book that has Made a Difference

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The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr (Goodreads Author)  3.98 avg rating — 13,847 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted

Dr. James Loehr, The Power of Full Engagement