Monthly Theme: Your Wellness Plan
Reading time: two minutes.
After his collapse under the broom tree, when God sent Elijah back into the mission field, I don’t believe Elijah was stronger.
I believe that after his renewal retreat, Elijah was more resilient.
The Barna Report on the State of Pastors pointed out the difference. Pyramids are strong, but given enough time and blowing sand, they vanish.
A forest is resilient. Fire, drought, infestations and floods can do great damage to a forest, but a forest is renewed by sun and air and water and eventually bounces back. I witnessed the St. Helens volcano and was amazed at how quickly the surrounding forest and wildlife returned.
The gospel is resilience. Paul wasn’t strong, but he was resilient. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).
The baptismal life of dying and rising reminds us that we are not strong: the burdens of ministry and the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh hit hard every day. Dying and rising by humble repentance and renewal in the love of Christ is our resilience.
Intentional wellness means having a daily awareness of the need for God’s healing grace. Just as you seek sleep and nourishment to be physically refreshed and resilient, wellness means relying on God’s mercy in your spiritual life, in your relational life with others, and in your vocational life of service.
Resilience is the daily healing work of the gospel.
The foundation of your plan for wellness is a day by day reliance on the power of God at work in you through the healing grace of Jesus. No matter what frustration, brokenness, hurt or failure you experienced yesterday, His healing love is your resilience today.
As you turn to the cross for daily healing, remember that your wellness plan is best when it is…
Comprehensive. Use the Wellness Wheel as a reminder to invite Jesus to touch every aspect of life. Your walk with God gets a new beginning every day, by grace, as do your relationships with others.
Realistic. God knows you’re not perfect. We live by grace. His forgiveness has made you acceptable to your Father, and grace covers every imperfect act of love you offer today.
Biblical. The Lord defines for us what a healthy life with Him and with those around us looks like. Allow God’s Word to define healthy relationships and a healthy approach to your ministry.
Missional. Put your own oxygen mask on so that you can serve others. We don’t seek wellness for our own sake, but for the sake of those travelling with us.
Personal. Seek from Jesus the healing touch that you need most. He knows your hurts and sorrows. Rely on His strength not your own.
God bless your wellness adventure.
Thanks for reading.
