25 Jul Wellness: Is the Goal Perfection or Perseverance?

“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again…” Proverbs 16:24a

An acquaintance of mine, whom I follow on social media, has amazing discipline when it comes to food. If she decides she is going to stop eating sweets she does it. If she is going to undertake Whole 30 she does it. There is this beautiful part of her personality and character that exudes from her posts.

In the area of food I find it difficult to be disciplined. I love the idea of eating well but I love snacks and sweets. I have had a hard time adjusting to eating less after years of being pregnant and breastfeeding.

And as I am sure some of you can relate, I see effects in my appearance, how I feel about my body, and my energy level. I want to be healthy! The battle rages within.

What is wellness?

Wellness or the lack there of encompasses our lives. Do we exercise regularly? Do we have date nights with our spouse? Do we spend time doing activities that make us feel alive? Do we sleep well? Do we regularly read or Bible and pray? Do we love our spouses, children, and those in our “world” as well as we would like?

God has made us spirit, soul, and body, with different activities nourishing the well being of various aspects of who God created us to be.

But there are times I think we get it wrong. We focus on what we are not doing. And how we fail. We can feel discouraged because our effort at health and overall wellness intersects with our real lives and that life cannot measure up to social media and our own expectations. 

Towards the end of 2014 my son Jeremiah was about 2 years into his cancer journey. I was not doing well and at the start of a work shift I had to call in because I was crying. I didn’t have a nervous breakdown but my body was warning that things were not well.

Some beloved family members came alongside and helped us in some huge tangible ways and we made some changes so I could become healthier. The chemotherapy and hospitalizations didn’t stop for our son but aspects of our life improved.

Starting last summer, as the chemo finished, I entered a very difficult season. I was so happy to be done. And I was traumatized by the journey. I was so discouraged that he continued to struggle. We were getting help for my emotions but I stopped eating as well and other areas were affected.

This year has been a journey to say the least. But I am grateful for ever increasing wellness in my life as I embrace what that looks like in my current life situation and grow in discipline and perseverance.

The journey towards wellness

Let us determine to be women who move forward to wellness from wherever we are in life. Whatever stage, whatever situation. That we say yes to God’s gracious power today to  take care of ourselves.

No matter how big or small the step is. May we rejoice in our successes. May we get back up after we fall!!!! May we persevere and not give up. May we look to Jesus when we don’t succeed and ask for his help to get back up.

So what does this look like ? Here is the biggest secret: It looks different for each of us! Because we each have different life situations.

If you are the mom of a screaming baby taking care of yourself may be making sure you drink enough water and eating 3 meals a day. It might mean walking for 5 minutes in your house while you desperately try to comfort your baby. For someone else it may be transforming eating habits and running daily.

If you live away from family date night may be cuddling on the couch with take out after the kids are in bed. Or it could be going out on a date monthly if you have childcare options.

If you have a child in the hospital exercising might be walking up and down the hall for 20 minutes while your child is sleeping and ordering broccoli instead of fries. Someone else may commit to going to the gym early in the morning.

You might be so exhausted that reading your Bible for 5 minutes a day might be daunting. I testify to ways God mightily touched my life through short times with him when I was exhausted with babies and little ones. Or you may decide you can commit to longer daily times in the Bible.

Little and big changes matter. You are worth it.

Friend, be encouraged to seek wellness starting from wherever you are. No place is too far away from wellness.