How are you? Our reply to this common greeting speaks volumes about our inner wellness. The most common response is good, fine or maybe even living the dream! Other times, we fib a little, saying we’re fine when we’re anything but. When tired, anxious, sad, or stressed, we think no one really wants to know so we say we are good. Can we really be good or well in the midst of a bad day or mixed feelings? I think so and here’s why.
I make a conscious effort to reply I am well, because it’s is a great reminder that I truly AM well. I may be tired, stressed or even under the weather, but I’m still well where it matters most-in my soul. This may seem contradictory but it’s true.
Whatever my issues today, deep down I know all of these are temporary. Wellness is constantly adapting to each day’s challenges. Yet, true wellness is not only found in body or mind. These are important, but I believe true wellness comes from within.
The element of wellness surpassing all others is soul wellness. Some people at the end of their lives are fully at peace. A calm transcends them. Confident in their soul’s wellness, they have peace with what comes next. Then there’s the opposite-those deathly afraid of this life ending and what that represents. Maybe you know these people. They have everything in life but still are searching. Feeling out of control of the end, they are desperate to fill an inexplicable void, an emptiness they cannot explain. Their soul needs to find its lifeline, its peace, its wellness.
Where is your wellness found?
I have cared for people with both physical and mental ailments. Through their lives and my own, I learned we can still be well in the midst of mind or body challenges. Our view of wellness can be shifted based on our perspective and where we find our wellness. When we first build wellness in our soul, the mental and physical wellness can flow from there. And even if it doesn’t, we can still be well.
A person at peace with themselves and whatever life throws at them truly is well. They are well in their soul, not because of where their path is going but with Whom they are traveling. My soul is at rest because I know wherever I go, God is with me.
[tweetthis twitter_handles=”@JillMHoven” url=”http://www.followhisfootprints.org/how-are-you/”]Soul wellness comes not from where we’re going but with Whom we’re traveling [/tweetthis]
Years ago, little things would unnerve me. Not so anymore. I may still get upset, but in the midst I strive to seek God and His path for me. When I do, it’s an adventure beyond my wildest dreams. Even if I take a wrong turn, He’s still there. Wellness starts with Who we follow. Following Jesus, we are truly well, no matter the circumstance.
This is why I say I am well when asked. It’s a verbal reminder that no matter how I feel, I am still well. My reply focuses me on Jesus and His path instead of my temporary feelings of the day. Some of my close friends understand my little reply and we now say it to each other. It’s a great way to encourage each other in our soul wellness.
For this Thoughtful Thursday, try responding with I am well and see if it changes your wellness perspective too!
How am I? I am well.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
Linking up with Winter Lawson at #UsCoffeeandJesus, Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth, Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus, Abby McDonald at #RaRaLinkup, Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuesday, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart, Jaime Wiebel at #SittingAmongFriends and Jennifer Moye at #JesusandCoffee
Hey Jill – thank you for this wisdom today! It is so true that no matter how I am feeling my soul is well with Jesus. I know in my family we respond to that question with “I am blessed” – because we are so blessed to have a wonderful God and loving Savior. <3
Have a blessed day, my friend. Write on!
Another great answer! I am blessed too and will use this as well. Thanks for the encouragement for me too, my friend! Be Well!
I love that reply, Jill, I AM well. An excellent answer to a very simple question.
Thanks Rachel, glad you like it and thanks for visiting!
I love this reminder! Immediately the lyrics, “It is well with my soul” come to mind! Indeed there are so many things that try to bring us down, but with our eyes on the prize we truly are well!
I am so thankful to be connecting with you via the linkup! 🙂
Thanks Stephanie for stopping by and saying hello! Yes, we are well when our eyes are on Jesus! Thankful for you as well, stop by again!
Great insights! Perspective changes everything and despite whatever stresses I am facing, He is greater than I am, and I am well! Thank you for linking up with #JesusandCoffee this week!
You are welcome my friend! Thanks for the comments and stopping by! Have a well rest of your day!
This is a beautiful reminder, Jill, about where true wellness comes from. Just last night, I was feeling anxious about some things, and I started singing “It is well with my soul.” (Bethel’s newer version.) It’s amazing how my soul settled down into wellness. 🙂 I guess that was a “self sing” rather than self talk. 🙂
Hi Betsy and thanks! I self sing and talk all the time!! It’s amazing the peace that comes when we let go of ourselves and our stuff and grab onto Him! Thanks for the visit and your thoughts, always fun to see you here!
Jill, what a great reminder! If we have peace with God, it truly is well with our souls! I hopped over from Jesus & Coffee and I’m glad I did. Blessings!
Welcome, thanks and glad you stopped by Donna! So happy this resonated with you and your soul. Here’s to more and deeper soul wellness! Hope to see you again soon!
“My reply focuses me on Jesus and His path instead of my temporary feelings of the day.” Excellent wisdom! Thanks, Jill!
Thanks Kelly-may our replies always bring us back to His path for us! Have a well day and thanks for stopping by!
This is they key – knowing what truly matters and that it starts with how we think/Who we know. Thank you Jill – this is a great application in the daily grind.
Hi Meghan and thanks for visiting and your thoughts. It truly does help, we just need to remind ourselves daily how we are-glad this tip is applicable to you! Here’s to being truly well! Blessings on your day!
Great post and great answer to the question “How are you?” Having God in my life does make all the difference. He is the source of comfort when stressed, love when feeling unloved and validation when feeling unworthy. He is everything. Glad to be your neighbor at #RaRalinkup today.
Yes, He IS everything! Thanks for the visit and thoughts, Mary. I hope we both continue to follow His lead and realize we are well in Him! Have a wonderfully well day!
Wow, Jill. I’ve never thought about using the response, “I am well,” or the meaning behind it. Love this! Yes, even on the worst days I remember that I have so much to be thankful for. Soul wellness does not compare to anything of this life. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Abby! Yes, it’s amazing how it’s a little memory prompt for me throughout the day! Love those memory tips! We are well with Jesus within us! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by with your thoughts!
Indeed, I am well also. Circumstances may press in on us, but the power within us is greater than our circumstances. Thank you for your encouragement, Jill!
Thanks, Stephanie for stopping by and your comments. It’s the little things that remind us of He that is great than our circumstances. I hope you will continue to be well this week, stop by again!
I love this. I AM well! 🙂
Thanks for stopping and sharing your thoughts Sarah! Here’s to continued wellness in Him!