The narrow path to wellness

12 November 2020

Words Barry Casey

It seems to me that in these days of continual concern about personal health and wellbeing, a word that is increasingly creeping into our vocabulary – and conversations – is the word ‘wellness’. The change in daily routine for many; the inability to travel freely between some states (in some instances, suburbs and regions); people cut off from family and friends; a sense of no clear understanding of when a sense of ‘normality’ will return, has had a significant impact on the physical and emotional health of people in many different ways.

Although the term ‘wellness’ is often used in the context of our physical health, it is much broader than that. Wellness describes a state of living – physical, emotional, intellectual – and there are many books, programs and apps that offer advice and provide helpful resources on how we can enhance wellbeing through the many circumstances we find ourselves facing.

There is an overarching state of wellness that encompasses every aspect of our lives, and what sets this apart from all other forms of wellness is that it is not dependent on us finding ways to deal with the many issues of life on our own. It is called ‘spiritual wellness’, and it brings into play a loving God who journeys with us and offers to not only share the burdens and stresses of our lives, but invites us to hand them over to him.

It certainly does not mean we will no longer experience physical or emotional challenges, but it certainly makes them much easier to bear when we know we do not have to carry them on our own.

We all face challenges and difficulties. No one is immune to them. Life has this way of throwing curve balls at us and, at times, it seems unfair and almost more than we can bear. We need to do all we can to take care of ourselves, physically and emotionally, but we do not have to do this on our own.

God longs for us to invite him into every aspect of our lives and, when we do, listen to this promise: “He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men and women will fall and give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah chapter 40, verses 29-31).

What an invitation.