Lent is a time of spiritual preparation before Easter. It is an important season for our spiritual growth. During Lent, many Christians practice disciplines such as self-denial, fasting, prayer, repentance, moderation, and alms giving. Time is set aside to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, His suffering and sacrifice, and His death and resurrection.
To make this season more meaningful and impactful to our spiritual growth and wellbeing, we can consider what will draw us closer to God. What habits or disciplines can we add to our daily lives to strengthen our relationship with God? What are the things that we can remove that take us away from God?
Matthew 16: 24-25 highlights this very point: Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
As for making wellness part of our Lenten journey, the focus during Lent is on our spiritual growth and health. Let us look at the other four domains of wellness (mental, emotional, relational, and physical health) to determine if there are adjustments we can make during Lent to strengthen these domains as well. Which habits are separating us from God? I will provide an example of what you may want to give up or reduce that could be getting in the way and separating you from God. Then I will provide an example of what you could add to your mental, emotional relational, and physical health that will bring you closer to God.
1- Mental Health: Our Mind/Thoughts
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of
God-what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12-2
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy-think about such things."
Philippians 4:8
Our thinking controls our feelings and our actions. There are times we may not be aware of our thoughts, but we become aware of a feeling that seems to arise out of the blue. Other times we may not want to acknowledge or address a feeling (especially if it is a painful or negative one), and we stuff it away, thinking it will disappear. Becoming more aware of our thoughts and identifying and addressing our feelings are healthy habits. The first step is awareness.
Give up/reduce: Negative thinking and self-talk
Add: Positive affirmations and awareness of gratitude
Give up/reduce: Meaningless distractions
Add: Daily quiet time for self-reflection and prayer
Give up/reduce: Thoughts that bring about stress
Add: Awareness of thoughts, daily meditation, and exercise
Give up/reduce: Clutter
Add: Donate unwanted items
Give up/reduce: Screen time
Add: More green time in the great outdoors
2 - Emotional Health: Heart/Feelings
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to
you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid."
John 14:27
"You must understand this, my beloved: Let everyone be quick to
listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce
God’s righteousness."
James 1:19-20
Give up/reduce: Strong emotional reactions
Add/replace: Pause and give a calm response
If someone says something that triggers a strong emotional feeling within you, practice pausing before responding. The feeling that is triggered could be attached to an unresolved wound, or it could be that your perception is different from the speaker’s intent.
Give up/reduce: Comparing yourself to others
Add: Acceptance and gratitude
Give up/reduce: The need to be in control
Add: Put your trust and faith in God
Give up/reduce: Fear and anxiety
Add: Prayer, deep breathing, mindfulness, identification of your feelings
3 - Relational Health: Love Neighbor and Self
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13: 34
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another other, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
Give up/remove: Old wounds or pain
Add: Forgiveness and reconciliation
If you have an unresolved issue arising from a situation where someone hurt you, it will harm your relational health and possibly your physical health. Ask God to help you to forgive them. Likewise, if you have hurt someone, seek their forgiveness. Forgiving others and seeking forgiveness can be healing and can lead to reconciliation.
Give up/reduce: The need to control others
Add: The realization that the only person you can control is yourself
Allow others to make their own decisions
Give up/reduce: Interrupting others when they are speaking
Add: Practice being a good listener
Give up/reduce: Listening to respond
Add: Listen to understand
4 - Physical Health: Strength
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body."1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
When we take care of our bodies, we are better able to serve God and others and fulfill our purpose.
Give up/remove: Sugar, high glycemic and processed foods
Add: Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Give up/reduce: Lack of sleep
Add: Regular time for sleep and waking
Give up/reduce: Amount of time sitting
Add: Movement every hour and thirty minutes of exercise everyday
Greta Parkinson, MA-LPC, is a
Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years experience working
with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. She has worked
in the public sector as a counselor, policy maker, and director of
child, adolescent, and family services, as well as in private practice
offering services to children and adults. In her therapy practice she helped clients with a broad range of issues including anxiety,
depression, mood issues, ADHD, parenting issues, career related
transitions, relational issues, and other adjustments to life
transitions. A parishioner for many years, Parkinson joined the staff of Christ Church Episcopal in 2024.
