We made it to the finish line! Woo Hoo! I know it’s been a rather difficult journey of looking into ourselves and evaluating where we are in all of these areas of wellness and looking ahead at where we would like to be. I think it is fitting to end this series with Spiritual Wellness.
I love how the Wellness Wheel we have used throughout this series places Spiritual Wellness at the center of the wheel. That’s where it belongs–smack dab in the center of our lives. Without being healthy spiritually–all other aspects are bound to falter, no matter how hard work at them.
Spiritual Wellness is the ability to establish peace and harmony in our lives.
We are eternal spiritual beings–only our bodies are temporary. So, to say that taking care of this part of our lives is essential–is to put it mildly. Our finite minds simply can’t comprehend what we are unable to see. But, it doesn’t take seeing it to know that, as human beings, we have something special inside of us that no other living thing possesses. Being human is a priviledge in so many ways–but the biggest thing that sets us apart on this planet is that we were bestowed upon the power of choice–including whom we will believe in and worship.
The world will always be full of chaos and tragedy. Without a relationship with God–chasing after peace and harmony in this world is like chasing after the wind. I believe that God created our earth and all in it–including me. I believe that because death entered the world because of original sin (Genesis Chapter 3) means all human beings are born into this world as sinners deserving eternal punishment. I believe that God sent His only son Jesus into this world as the ultimate redemption plan. I believe Jesus lived a perfect sinless life, died on the cross as a sacrifice for all mankind’s sin–including mine, and that He was raised back to life after three days–killing death and sin forever. I believe that by believing all this by faith–that it gives me access to a personal relationship with God and that upon my death on this earth I will live eternally in heaven with God.
Because of my belief–this IS my spiritual wellness. I want to spend my life getting to know the only One who has the blueprint on how to navigate our fallen world and learn to live my life in a manner that pleases Him. This past week in my Bible study one of the precious women in my group was struck with such emotion as she retold how God had opened her eyes as to how complex and creative and intimate and involved He is with each and every one of us and ALL of His creation. She pointed out how–so often–we just don’t notice it. It can seem as if He is so far away and distant and maybe sometimes we feel He is angry or uncaring. But, He’s not.
So often I am guilty of treating God like a genie in a bottle or Santa Claus. I give him my wish list and then cross my fingers and hope for the best. But, that’s not what a relationship with God is at all. He has a plan. He has a purpose. It’s our responsibility to talk to Him and find out what that plan and purpose is. THAT is how we achieve peace and harmony. If we continually go our own way, ignore Him, and even curse Him–it will elude us.
My goals for Spiritual Wellness:
- Pray as more of a conversation. Talk to Him about what’s on my mind–my heartaches, requests for loved ones, my fears and anxieties, and even the mundane and boring going on in my life. Ask Him the questions. Wait for the answers–whether they come in the form of words highlighted to my eyes as I read His Word, a lightbulb moment thought in my mind that hadn’t been there before, a word from a trusted friend that lines up with scripture, or even the still small voice when He speaks (1 Kings 19:12)
- Be thankful. It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- Read my Bible, do Bible studies, listen to sermons, and read books others have written about the Bible with the goal of learning–not just assuming I know. It’s weird to describe, but after being at this for a while–it becomes easy for things to get too familiar. I want to always have the attitude of learning and being teachable.
How about you? What will you do to achieve Spiritual Wellness in your life? You can share your thoughts and opinions with me by leaving a comment here or on any of the social media cites I share on.
I want to thank you for joining me on this journey into Becoming Whole…as a Person. I know sharing with one another can sometimes feel intimidating–and perhaps even too personal. My goal throughout this series is to be accountable. I wrote them down. I shared them. And my hope and prayer is that I will not forget to keep them in front of me and work on them each and every day throughout the rest of this year.
Now to him is who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21