Are you wellness-wise? Healthy living encompasses making wise choices that promote our overall wellness, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Sadly, many individuals disregard their overall health by indulging in unhealthy food, living a sedentary life, neglecting their mental well-being, and giving little importance to soul care. We desire complete wellness while neglecting the disciplines to achieve it.
Guilty.
Ten years ago, I found myself in the worst physical health of my fifty years. When my coworkers raved about a fast weight loss program, I joined them. An 800-calorie daily intake of shakes, puddings, and soups for eight months led to a 75-pound weight loss. I went from size eighteen to size eight in no time. With determination and willpower, I met my goal to fit in my size eight pencil skirt.
Within five years, I regained half the weight I had lost. Willpower left the building. My health decisions have been anything but wise. I know I am not alone here. You may have a similar story where your efforts soon dwindled. Life transitions, stress, battles with depression, severe medical conditions, managing our home, and caregiving responsibilities for family members compound the challenge of taking care of our mind, body, and soul. Overwhelm and defeat can take hold. We simply cannot do this on our own.
Billions of people reach out every year for help with overall wellness. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the Global Wellness Economy grew to $5.6 Trillion in 2022. Included in that outrageous number is $1,079 Billion in Healthy Eating, Nutrition & Weight Loss. But our overall wellness does not have to drain us financially. It all begins with making healthy choices.
Desire Wisdom
Did you know Wisdom was with God before He created anything? (Proverbs 8:22-31) – Even God could not move forward with this massive undertaking without Wisdom.
The Bible tells us about King Solomon’s prayer for wisdom. He did not seek his own pleasure and power, but God’s pleasure (1 Kings 3:5-9). This pleased God so much that He granted Solomon far more than what he asked for (1 Kings 3:10-14).
Have you ever prayed for wisdom? Wisdom goes beyond knowing right from wrong. Proverb 9:11 promises, “Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.”
I call this verse my ‘Healthy 9-1-1’. This is my desire! How about you?
With the guidance of my health coach, I delved into the study of Proverbs 9. This chapter presents us with two invitations:
Wisdom’s Invitation (Proverbs 9:1-12, Amplified) – “Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house; She has hewn out and set up her seven pillars” (Prov. 9:1). Wisdom promises life. Her heart of hospitality goes beyond a seat at the table. Wisdom says, “Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live and walk in the way of insight and understanding” (Prov. 9:6).
Folly’s Invitation (Proverbs 9:13-17, Amplified) – This woman is foolish, restless, reckless, and noisy. Her goal is to tempt and distract those who are attempting to make their paths straight. She says, “Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden]; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (Prov. 9:17).
Folly sounds much like the serpent in the Garden of Eden, doesn’t she?
Let’s dig deep into the seven pillars upon which wisdom builds her house.
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Pillars hold up a house and the number seven conveys completion. People have written many books on this subject. I have read several blogs and researched this topic in depth. What I discovered is that there is no definitive checklist for the characteristics of each of the seven pillars. The source of this list comes straight from the Scripture.
- Prudence (Prov. 27:12) – Being prudent means being aware of potential dangers to health, such as unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, or stress. Just as one who sees danger prepares to avoid it, a person who values health understands the risks of poor lifestyle choices and takes preventive measures.
- Knowledge & Discretion (Prov. 24:5) – We obtain knowledge by learning the facts. Wisdom in the context of healthy living involves making smart choices that promote physical strength and vitality. A wise person recognizes the importance of caring for their body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), thereby strengthening their physical health.
- Fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7) – Wisdom, rooted in the reverence of God, guides us in making wise choices for our bodies and minds. Arrogance and a disregard for wisdom hinder wellness. Embracing reverence for the Lord helps cultivate a lifestyle that promotes not only physical health but also spiritual vitality and overall well-being.
- Counsel (Prov. 11:14) – We need community. Especially when it comes to making major life changes. Consulting nutritionists, healthcare professionals, and a supportive community plays a significant role in our success. Counselors and therapisttherapists offer strategies for managing emotions and coping with the challenge of change.
- Sound Wisdom (James 3:17) – Treating our bodies gently involves adequate rest, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits. Sound daily wisdom helps us avoid extremes such as overindulging or withdrawing from food to a point of starvation. We embrace balanced approaches free from social influences.
- Understanding (Psalm 119:130) – Delving into God’s Word impart wisdom and understanding, guiding us to make informed decisions. This includes learning about the body’s needs for nutrition, exercise, rest, and overall self-care. The psalmist underscores the transformative power contained in Scripture helping us nurture a balanced and flourishing existence that reflects God’s design for abundant living.
- Power (2 Timothy 1:7) – God’s spirit empowers us to prioritize and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Rather than dwelling in anxiety or stress, we can cultivate a mindset of gratitude, forgiveness, self-compassion, and kindness towards ourselves and others. God grant us self-control through the fruit of the Spirit to make wise choices. This includes sticking to our boundaries and moderation in eating. By the power of Holy Spirit in us, we can face health challenges with courage while trusting in God’s provision and care throughout our wellness journey.
Do not Fall for Folly
Folly is big trouble! Adopting an attitude of folly, or foolishness, when making lifestyle changes on our wellness journey can be detrimental for several reasons:
- Short-term gratification can lead to indulging in unhealthy habits which may provide temporary pleasure but harm overall well-being in the long run.
- Ignoring the red flags and dismissing the importance of lifestyle changes increases the risk of developing chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and others.
- Refusing accountability sets us up for disaster. Lack of self-discipline can run rampant and sabotage your efforts. Our goal is to break free from the constant cycle of starting and stopping.
- Unhealthy choices can lead to social isolation or conflict if behaviors affect shared activities or priorities. Our family and friends care about our well-being. By continuing to make poor choices, we can strain our cherished relationships.
- As stewards of our bodies, Scripture encourages us to honor God with our physical health (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Adopting an attitude of folly neglects this responsibility and fails to recognize our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, deserving care and respect.
Walk with Wisdom
I have always admired people who intuitively make all the right choices in life. My husband, for example, is a shining example of one who is God-fearing man of honor, integrity, and compassion for his fellow man. I trust him implicitly because of how he walks with wisdom. When we set out on our wellness journey strengthened by the seven pillars of wisdom, we reap an abundance of blessings:
- We get to experience long-term health and well-being. Our chances of living a longer and happier life increase.
- Wise lifestyle choices promote mental clarity and emotional stability. This leads to greater happiness and satisfaction in our daily living.
- Our spiritual connection with the Lord is stronger and we get to live out our faith more fully.
- When we prioritize self-care and overall wellness, we gain more energy and positivity to invest in our relationships with family, friends, and community.
- Our productivity and effectiveness increase which makes us more capable of achieving our goals, pursuing our passions, and living out our God-given calling.
- Our life becomes an inspiration and encouragement for others to prioritize their personal wellness. Our actions can make a positive impact creating a ripple effect within our inner circle.
- Most importantly, we gain a higher quality of life. Walking with wisdom allows us the vitality, peace of mind, and a sense of purpose as we steward our bodies according to God’s design. It reflects our commitment to honoring God with our bodies and living purposefully in alignment with His principles.
Gaining a greater understanding of the seven pillars of wisdom can only promote growth in our life. Let’s join Wisdom at her banquet table and leave Folly to her miserable self.
For more valuable information on the connection between spirituality and healthy living, be sure to read Three Links Between Spirituality and Healthy Living, May your wellness journey nurture the abundant life promised by God.
About the Author
An award-winning writer, author, and speaker, Cherie Denna’s messages guide audiences toward belovedness in Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. In addition to multiple publishing collaborations, Cherie’s debut book, Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging, shares a message of hope and belonging in response to the epidemic of loneliness and isolation (Bold Vision Books, February 2024). You can find her writing on the Northern California coast with frothed coffee in hand or on an RV adventure with her purpose-mate husband. Join the Everyday Belonging Movement at www.cheriedenna.com. Follow her wellness journey and other adventures on social media @cheriedenna and @everydaybelonging.
Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging
Loved this! So good and so true!