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Well, that is a very good question. For years and years (majority of my life) I thought people who used the term “wellness” were a tad eccentric. I thought they had too much time on their hands to dabble in things such as that word implied. (Yes, as I type that out I realize how ridiculous that sounds.) In all reality though, I think we do often shrug off the idea of needing to focus on our wellness. We think and act that our lives are somehow: a) just the way they are, and b) no one else’s business. Over the past few years I’ve realized that is a ridiculous belief to have.
First, let me give a quick overview of what wellness means. Merriam-Webster says wellness is “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal”. I love that definition because it is something you are working towards, it doesn’t just happen to you. I personally love the 8 dimensions of wellness as a way to help breakdown what a healthy life looks like. Without going into too much detail the 8 dimensions are: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental. In each of these areas we need to be working on doing better and being better to truly be healthy.
Ok, now let me tell you why the assumption I stated above is so ridiculous. Actually, Isaac Newton's third law says it well “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”. We are not individuals each living on our own planets with our own ecosystem. Our actions, reactions, wellness (or lack thereof) impacts our personal lives and it also impacts our spouse, our children, our parents, friends, co-workers, strangers and the list goes on. God made us to be relational and to desire connection. When we choose to stay stagnant in our lives and not seek to grow in our wellness… we hurt the people around us.
I also want to point out that as Christians, we are called to always be growing in our faith*… this is the process of sanctification. As we grow in Christ, it will impact our wellness in every dimension. The Bible is full of practical advice (Proverbs is a great place to start if you need a
recommendation!). So if you claim to love and serve the Lord, you should be seeking to be well in every sense of the word!
So, I challenge you today… no matter what you believe about God… decide today to make your wellness a priority. Make a goal and stick to it. Then make another and another. Tiny healthy choices snowball to create a beautiful winter scene of wellness.
*“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age”.
Titus 2:11-12
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-24