Pastor's Corner-Spiritual Wellness 1.1

By Paul Hathcoat

One of my previous article topics has continued to come up in my life and the life of those around me. If you recognize it from a previous edition, then kudos to you. If not, please read through carefully, assess your own “wellness” and reach out to someone you trust to join you in a journey toward a balanced and ever-growing spiritual life. It is truly the foundation of my life and the prescription that Jesus gives us, especially in times of struggle.

No matter what age you are, or what stage of life you are in, living a well-rounded and balanced life has been proven to increase your life span and to greatly increase the quality of those years within it. Why am I, a pastor, writing about this in a Special Needs Living magazine article? Well, because a crucial aspect of whole life health is spiritual wellness. In this article, I would like to make a case for you to begin, evolve or pass on to the next generation the wisdom and benefits of making your spiritual health a priority in their lives and the lives of the people living with disabilities around them.

What is spiritual wellness? There is a general understanding of this idea which points to seeking one’s core values and purpose. There is also a more Protestant definition that embodies a life lived in devotion to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Whatever our core beliefs are and whatever purpose we are chasing, are we reserving time and space in our lives and the lives of those in our care to work toward a balanced and whole spiritual life? I have some thoughts and a list of benefits that may encourage all of us to take the time to reinvest in this life priority.

Meaning. What is life without meaning? I say, a spiritually healthy person most often has a definitive purpose and established meaning in life and can reflect on that context despite the events and situations they find themselves in.

They also often have a distinctly defined idea of right and wrong and are able to act accordingly when presented with difficult decisions in life. Moving through life with meaning can produce peace. In a world that doesn’t always show favor to those who exercise these qualities, it is that much more important to pursue them. I pray that your life has meaning.

Peace. What can a peaceful existence do for us? The Bible reveals that “the Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). I myself have been a recipient of this peace. It has helped carry me through times that I would not wish on my enemies. It has guided my decisions and actions. It has helped me to feel unexpected unity with the world around me and has helped me develop acceptance of the things that I cannot control. Peace can be a huge benefit to the pursuit of spiritual wellness. For the parent or caregiver of someone living with a disability, it can be a lifeline to balance and renewal. I pray for peace for you today.

Renewal. Why is renewal important? We all get worn down. Many of us tend to focus on the negative, even unintentionally. Studies show that people who report having low spiritual health and wellness also report feeling anxious, frustrated, empty, and wrestling with thoughts of self-judgment, loss of meaning and hopelessness. Those who report having good spiritual health typically display hope, a positive outlook, forgiveness, commitment, joy, and a clear sense of self-worth and purpose. Renewal opportunities often come in the form of connectedness and quiet. It is time to stop doing and just be once in a while! Having close friends and confidants leads to renewal. Carving out quiet places and spaces to meditate, pray, relax and be still, lead to renewal of both the inner and the outer. Spiritual health allows renewal to happen regularly. I pray that you have renewal in the days ahead. If you are engaged in the spiritual wellness process, keep at it. If not, why not start today? Why not pursue meaning? Why not seek peace? And for the love of all that is good and worthy, why don’t we all create space in our lives for renewal? I am not the president of the “Spiritual Wellness” club, mind you, but I did preach at a Holiday Inn Express last night. All jokes aside, I hope to inspire you and challenge you readers out there to seek this pillar of priority in your life. Seek your spiritual nature and find places and spaces where your loved ones living with disabilities can be supported while doing the same. I think what you will find is … strength and rest. God bless!

Do you have a thought, idea, or information that you would like to see in this section in an upcoming issue? Email Paul Hathcoat at phathcoat@wrcc.org.