One of my favorite authors of all time, Shauna Niequist, says it can be helpful to define something by first defining what it isn’t. In her book Bittersweet (I cannot recommend it enough), there’s a chapter called “The Things I Don’t Do.” In the essay, she defines what she doesn’t do, which frees her to do what she does want to do without shame or guilt that she’s not enough. 

I love this principle. 

When it comes to the idea of wellness, there are a lot of opinions, voices, and programs out there. There are many fad diets, green juices, supplements, and meditations that promise to “make you well” and solve all your problems. Now, I believe those things can be good and are most definitely pieces of the puzzle, but they’re merely single pieces and ingredients. Not the whole enchilada.  

If you’re walking through physical ailments, autoimmune diseases, unexplainable symptoms, or a hard diagnosis—this is for you. If you feel like you just can’t get a grip on your mental health, like it’s taking you down—this is for you. If you are stuck in a hard season or emotion and don’t know how to get out from under it—this is for you. If you look at your calendar, your relationships, your life, and you think, “There has to be more” or “I can’t do this much longer,”—this is for you. If you feel utterly, completely disconnected from God, yourself, and your life—this is for you. 

I am very, extremely, passionately passionate about wellness. I’m no expert on anything listed above. I’m not a doctor, a therapist, a pastor, or God. But what I can offer is my experience. I am very familiar with physical illness and autoimmune diseases. I am experienced in emotional trials, trauma, tribulation, and healing. I am all too familiar with the overwhelming hustle and bustle our culture tries to tell us we must keep up with. I’ve been in seasons where I felt so disconnected from God, myself, and my life, I was utterly unsure how freedom or abundance could possibly be mine for the taking. 

These are areas I’ve wrestled with, fallen in, learned from, and grown in. These are areas where God has healed me, sustained me, and blessed me beyond measure. Areas I’ve fallen in (big time) and seen my life completely transformed from frantic, insecure, and sick to peaceful, balanced, and well. It’s from that place—my own messy life experience, growth, and healing journey—that I want to share with you. 

As we begin digging into wellness and learning what it looks like to live whole, full, free lives, we’re going to take a page from Shauna’s book (literally) and first outline what wellness isn’t. Let’s clear up some misconceptions about this so-called self-help, one-stop-shop solution society often calls wellness. Then we can get to what wellness is and why it matters. Because it does—a lot. 

WELLNESS ISN’T:

• Self-help for the sake of self-help

• Being our own saviors

• Striving for a perfect life

• Never having a health issue or struggle again

• A diet or workout class or supplement that will “fix” everything

• Something that just magically happens 

• A project we will complete

• A destination we will reach

• A process we will graduate from

Over time, that list may grow. But for now, those are the key misleading beliefs that have tripped me and many others up for too long. 

Now that we know what wellness isn’t, here’s what I believe wellness, at its core, is really all about. 

Wellness is the act of taking care of our lives—physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s taking responsibility for our health, owning our lives, and seeking healing.

Wellness is an internal decision we must make deep within, partnered with God, to take care of ourselves as best we can. It’s a decision to steward all God’s given us to the best of our ability. 

Wellness is cultivating a life that sustains our body, mind, and spirit not just today, but for the long haul. It’s about fostering an environment where we can be all that God wants us to be and do all that God has called us to do. 

Wellness acknowledges that we are not perfect and need healing. It acknowledges that we are in desperate need of a savior. Of course, we can make healthy choices and say yes to a journey of wellness, but we also must surrender the idea that we can fix ourselves. Only Jesus can truly heal and restore our bodies, minds, and spirits. 

Ultimately, I believe wellness leads to freedom. When we take ownership of our lives and implement healthy rhythms, routines, and choices, we get to step into the abundant life Jesus promises us in John 10:10. It doesn’t mean we will have easy, breezy lives—it’s 2023, we know things are tough out there. We know He promises we will have trouble and suffering on this side of Heaven. But pursuing a life of healing, wholeness, and wellness leads us straight to the ultimate source of life—Jesus. We can’t do it without Him. And I believe He wants to heal us. 

Why is wellness important? Why does taking care of ourselves matter?

Neglecting any part of our being—physically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually—is going to hinder us from becoming the healthiest, most whole people God desires us to be, which means loving the people around us that need to experience eternal, otherworldly love. 

I believe God wants to heal us; He wants us to grow and look more like Him. To move past the stumbling blocks holding us back and keeping us feeling stuck (surprise—pursuing wellness with God means we are never truly stuck). But if we aren’t willing to do some housekeeping and maintenance, to set up our lives in a way that honors and helps sustain the life He’s given us, we won’t become all He’s called us to be or do all He’s called us to do. 

Wellness isn’t about living a perfect life. It’s about a holy, surrendered life that honors God and empowers us to love others as best we can. Wellness isn’t about us—it’s about living as wise, as healthy, and as dependently on God as we can to live a life that gives Him all the glory. 

We will never be done with this journey, which makes it quite an exciting adventure. It’s never too late to begin, and it’s never too soon to start taking care of your body, mind, and soul. I’m in it with you, and I can’t wait to keep growing together. Let’s go!