Neighbor Groups: Restore Well-BeingSýnishorn

What Is Well-Being? 

Take a second to think about well-being. What immediately comes to mind? Maybe you think about physical health. You know that working out and eating healthy are key to living a good life.

Or maybe you immediately thought of mental health. You know how important self-awareness and managing stress and anxiety are to overall wellness. Perhaps you thought about spiritual health—you recognize that life is better when you seek God, love others, and play an active role in His Church. 

Well-being includes all of that and more. 

God created every part of us—body, mind, and spirit—and He made us in His image. 

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; ... Genesis 1:27 NIV

Throughout Scripture, we’re reminded of this truth. We’re called His masterpiece, His workmanship, and His handiwork (Ephesians 2:10). We’re reminded that He knit us together before we were born. He has equipped each of us with unique gifts and purposes. And in all of it, He cares deeply for us.

And not only did God make us, but He also chooses to live within us. 

Think about that for a second. Throughout the Old Testament, people had to go to God. He would meet with people on the mountaintop, in the tabernacle, or in the temple. But now, because of Jesus, we are the temple of the living God. 

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT

In response to this, it’s our responsibility to take care of the body He’s given us. So take a second to think about your personal well-being. Are there any areas you feel are lacking? If so, what steps can you take to pursue wellness physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally? 

And here’s the thing: God wants wellness for all of us. Every person was carefully created in the image of a good God. And yet, because we live in a fallen world, each of is also broken in some way.

When we recognize our own brokenness, we’re able to love others in their brokenness by caring for their needs physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We won’t always get it right, because we’ll inevitably and unintentionally bring our own baggage with us. But sometimes the best investment we can make into our own well-being is to take a step to care for someone else’s. 

So over the next few days, we’ll explore what it looks like to take care of our well-being and the well-being of our neighbors. But remember—we’re not the hero of the story. We’re all in this together, remembering that God is in the business of restoration—He simply invites us in on the action. 

Pray: Heavenly Father, help me believe that You have created me in Your image. I know that when I believe this truth, I will experience Your goodness in brand new ways. I’m ready to focus on well-being so that I can worship You with my entire self. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge: Spend some time reflecting on how incredible it is that God has chosen to dwell inside of us. No matter what, He’s always with us, and He cares deeply for us. How can you take steps to truly believe that? 

Note: Please know that healing takes time, and this Bible Plan isn’t a one-stop shop to cure any physical, mental, or spiritual struggles you may be working through. If any of your symptoms—regardless of type—get in the way of daily functioning, it might be best to talk to your doctor or a professional counselor.