I have been a Christian ordained minister and educator for over 40 years. Sadly, bodily or mental wellness and health are not always factors in Church teaching. And it should be.
For the most part, western Christianity has ignored the theology of wellness and health and, in doing so, has missed out on the rich teaching the Bible offers about holistic health and well-being.
Many Christians, including clergy, are obese, unfit and stressed out, which does not glorify God. These things, for the most part, are self-inflicted and can be remedied and avoided. Many Christians don’t know how to eat to support their bodies or what contributes to good mental health. Addressing the theology of wellness would bring a superb balance into our lives.
I firmly believe that our human body is the temple of God the Holy Spirit. So, I desire to minister to the whole person not just the soul.
My Journey
After a few years of intentional prayer, research and reflection, so, from now on, my focus will be the holistic well-being of women. I have made this detour because God loves us all completely. God cares about the whole person, just our spirit. So, I intend to minister to the ‘whole’ person, not just to spiritual needs.
I have striven to achieve and maintain my health and wellness all my life, which, now in my late 60s, has paid off wonderfully.
There are a variety of reasons that not all of us are healthy. Still, there is always time. Good health is a worthy goal for everyone to aim for.
Good health does not come by itself; it takes educating ourselves and hard work to reach our health goals.
The Bible tells us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we are responsible for looking after ourselves to the best of our knowledge. I enjoy increasing my knowledge and perpetually learning how my mind and soul (mind & body) works and how best to nourish them.
Does God Care About Your Wellness?
In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV), he asks, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
This scripture addresses moral issues. However, it still holds true that looking after your physical, spiritual and mental well-being glorifies God. So, Yes, God does care about your wellness.
I have studied health and wellness and still do research to understand the significance of wellness and how it’s linked to health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as.
Being “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This balanced view brings us hope because it’s an actual daily effort to ensure we stay healthy for some of us.
You may struggle with a disability, fragility of years, an injury or something else you can’t help or avoid. However, you can endeavour to care for and nourish your wellness through it all.
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the “active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to holistic health.”
Wellness is an individual pursuit. We are self-responsible for being self-aware of our choices, behaviours, and lifestyle. But our health is also significantly influenced by our physical, social, and cultural environments.
The Christian lifestyle should include choices that improve Holistic well-being.
Wellness is a series of positive daily choices to live your life to the fullest!
What is Science-based Biblical Wellness About?
Wellness is a modern word with ancient roots. The fundamental tenets of wellness as preventive and holistic can be traced back to ancient civilisations from India, China, Greece, and Rome.
Many Christians don’t realise that Codes of wellness are also found in the Law of the Old Testament- the Hebrew Bible. For example, lowering stress levels through prayer and many other ways helps us immensely.
Various intellectual, religious, and medical movements developed as conventional medicine developed. These movements provide a firm foundation for wellness practices.
In the last fifty years, wellness-focused and holistic interventions, such as natural approaches and preventive care, have gained credibility and visibility.
Holistic Wellness is about the science of healthy living, self-help, self-care, fitness, nutrition, diet faith and spiritual practices, and environmental and social interaction.
The idea of wellness is broadly defined, but each has several similar components. If you want a thriving soul. One needs to try to pray, read and study the Bible and hang around like-minded people. Ensuring you get teaching builds you spiritually so you can grow in Christ.
Similarly, to thrive in body and mind, you must desire and choose to pursue wellness. It’s a choice you make in life that requires daily effort to achieve. Join the science of wellness with Biblical principles, and you will be sure to maintain a balanced, happy life.
What You Believe Influences Your Well-being.
While associated with a healthy lifestyle, wellness goes beyond the confines of general health. It encompasses a positive outlook on your spirit and soul. It is something we often have more control over than health.
Wellness has various dimensions and can be viewed as a quality, state, or process. At face value, the idea of wellness may appear complex- but it need not be. Keep coming back here to learn how you can maintain your health and wellness,
Join the Journey
If you wish to come with me on this exciting journey into holistic wellness. Read and share my articles you find here on www.paularoseparish.com and on www.medium.com.
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Thank you for reading to the end. For more articles, visit, Your Wellness Matters at www.paularoseparish.com. We collect Donations for Welsh Women’s Aid -Thrive the Pt Talbot division. If you wish to find out more & donate, click HERE.
I have worked internationally with over 40 years of experience, having a Bachelor of Pastoral Counselling and Theology and a Master of Arts in Counselling & Professional Development. BACP Life Coaching Certificate. I currently work as a Christian educator, blogger, author, and grandmother living with my two dogs in Wales, UK.
You’ll find my book’s on Amazon.com, and If you wish to connect with me, please do so on paularoseparish@gmail.com
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