Anchored

Spiritual Wellness, in my opinion, is where being healthy and successful begins.  It’s where we realize that we aren’t alone in the struggles we face and that within each struggle there is an opportunity for growth.  When we don’t understand that we are part of something bigger and aren’t well with who we are – we will fall victim to the daily/hourly even minute-by-minute attacks on our minds and our hearts.  The war that wages within us leaves us feeling like we aren’t good enough and that we don’t have what it takes. The negative mental dialog becomes louder and louder as we have nothing to fill our minds with to offset the negativity that’s flooding in.  We end up telling ourselves that we are too fat, too ugly, too skinny, too slow, too dumb, too weak….and are filled with self-doubt, despair, fear, and disappointment.

Without spiritual wellness, we are left feeling paralyzed and unable to overcome any challenge that comes our way – from avoiding the unhealthy foods to changing the way we think of ourselves.  Being spiritually well is a mindset that causes you to have control over the other 6 dimensions of your health, your weight loss, and personal development.  This dimension of your wellness involves seeking meaning and purpose in your life and learning that in every challenge you encounter you are not alone in.

Living with purpose and aligning with God’s purpose will prevent you from being swept away by your desires and you’ll have the strength to live with commitment, strength, power, love, and self-control.  Believe it or not, there is a bible verse to encourage and strengthen you in every single temptation or pain you’re struggling with – it’s proof that you aren’t alone – not even in the temptations of food, men, alcohol, faith…

Struggling to do what you want at the moment even though you know you shouldn’t?   1 Peter 2:11 I urge you to abstain from passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul

Feel like you have the right to eat, drink, smoke whatever you want – or feel like you are enslaved to those things?   1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything

Hate yourself and think you’re not good enough? 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

It is easy to fall victim to the negative talk, the unhealthy eating, drinking, sexual acts, exercising too much, comparing yourself to others….and we end up trying to feel better with a quick fix because we don’t know any better.  But you can know better and you can start learning how by starting right now!  You need to start with the renewing of your mind  Romans 12:2 “Do not be Transformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.”

To work on your spiritual wellness you’ll want to explore your spiritual core, be fully present in everything you do and see opportunities for growth in the challenges life brings you.  The following are 15 some practical tips and questions to help you improve your spiritual wellness:

1. Do you have boundaries in areas of your life?
2. Why shouldn’t you do whatever you want?  How does it make you feel when you do?
3. What do you sacrifice when you live a life without boundaries?
4. What would your life look like if you had boundaries in all areas of your life?
5. Where are places you don’t have boundaries, but should have a set to live by?
6. Why do you want to lose weight, set boundaries, get healthier….?
7. Read your bible so that you can have truth to overcome the negative self-talk, the challenges with food, alcohol, people…. (trust me, all the answers are in there!!)
8. What gifts/talents have you been blessed with?
9. Learn what you sand for – What convicts your heart?!  AND stand for them – always
10. What kinds of choices do you make when you’re sad, disappointed, lonely….?  How do they affect you after you’ve given into them?
11. Find ways to refocus your mind and heart when it begins to wonder to negativity and being to correct your inner dialog. (turn to the Word)
12. Don’t love this world or let it define you!
13. Take time to unplug and go for a walk in nature or meditate or lay and think positively.
14. Be willing to be uncomfortable and walk away from the choices the old you made as you change and transform into the healthier and happier new you
15. Create a “reasons I love myself” journal page – refer to it when you start to forget all the gifts you’ve been given

 “Do not be Transformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:2