My Wellbeing Upgrade

I've grown to admire Kathy Carlton Willis through the years not only for her professionalism and writing expertise, but also for her authenticity and honest approach to life. In this Health UPGRADE, she invites us to ask questions that can help us be better stewards of our lives.

“This year more than ever, I’m looking for something to change,” Kathy says.

“With so much outside my control, it’s nice to find a few ways I can make a difference, especially starting inside myself.”

I (Dawn) agree with Kathy's approach. It's so easy to make excuses for our lack of progress because of circumstances. But this is not transformative, because God still gives us many choices in our circumstances.   

Kathy continues . . . 

God seems to really be impressing on me to focus on personal stewardship through seeking wellbeing and being well.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying if I do my part that God is going to heal the things outside my control. He does heal, but He often uses us broken.

Regardless, He desires that I take care of the only body, soul and spirit I get on this earth.

I realize some of you have irreversible conditions that will only recover with a God-given miracle. I’m not promising that all your health problems will go away. But we can all experience better wellbeing, and in doing so, we might see an improvement in being well, too!

Oftentimes, it’s a reduced intensity of a physical symptom, or an improved mindset, that gets us through the day.

I believe God wants each of us to do those things within our means to be healthy, such as eating good nutrition and getting exercise. He also wants us to occupy our minds with what is good and virtuous instead of what makes us feel defeated and discouraged.

By taking an active, educated part in our wellbeing, we will show God we’re willing to be responsible to take care of the resources He’s given to us and in us—that’s what personal stewardship is.

At the beginning of 2016 I started a self-improvement program that was so successful I’ve lost and kept off 50 pounds, have gone off of insulin (which doctors said would never happen after being on it so long at such a high dose), and have seen other major health benefits. I still have more weight to lose.

I had a couple years since then with health flares and weight-loss plateaus. Now I’m reevaluating where I’m at, and I wanted to share those questions with you, in case you are working to UPGRADE YOUR WELLBEING this year, too.

Questions I’m asking:

• What does optimal physical health look like for me, even if God doesn’t heal my “chronics”?
• What are “sure things” to help with physical health that are non-negotiables toward physical wellbeing? What have been my excuses for not taking care of these things?
• What are some other ideas that might help with progress?
• What will help me have the “want to”? How can I find joy in it?
• What can I reduce timewise in my schedule to give me more white space and energy to focus on wellbeing?
• What can I do to jumpstart my new dedication?
• What worked before that I can implement again? Why did I stop it? What can I do to make sure I keep with it this time?
• What worked before that I can’t do now? What can I substitute for it?
• What are my challenges to success?
• What would make me feel my best?

Questions to Ask Nightly

Think about your choices.

• How did today’s choices affect my spiritual wellbeing?
• How did today’s choices affect my emotional/psychological wellbeing?
• How did today’s choices affect my physical wellbeing?
• Did I honor and glorify God with my choices?
• Is there something I want to do better next time?
• Is there something I learned from today that will help me moving forward?

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).

We may feel inadequate, unworthy or unprepared, but God will never abandon us where He leads us. His PRESENCE will be with us and His POWER will equip us.

This includes our focus on wellbeing.

God—with His divine power, which is superior to our insufficient human power—has given us everything we need to live a godly life of wellbeing.

What is God leading you to do as you upgrade your wellbeing efforts?

Kathy Carlton Willis is God’s Grin Gal. She writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Over a thousand of Kathy’s articles have been published and she has several books in her Grin Gal brand. Her most recent book is 7 Trials Every Woman Faces. Kathy is active as a book industry pro, and her coaching group, WordGirls, propels women toward their writing goals. She graduated with honors from Bible College and has served 30+ years in full-time ministry. Check out her Grin & Grow Break video devotions on social media. For more about Kathy, visit www.kathycarltonwillis.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Spencer Davis at Unsplash.