Defining Wellness

            A biblical worldview of wellness integrates the wholeness of man as body, mind, and spirit. In Paul’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians, he explains this wholeness and says, “And the very God of Peace Sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, I Thessalonians 5:23). Therefore, if any one of these aspects is not in alignment with the others, then there is illness or dis-ease.

Traditionally a biblical worldview has differed from a secular worldview of wellness that focused on the body specifically. However, in recent years the secular worldview of wellness has begun to expand to include much more than just the body. Dunlop (2014) explains, “Thankfully, wellness is much more than physical health and freedom from distressing symptoms. Wellness involves the whole of our being, which includes six distinct areas: physical, mental, social, financial, spiritual, and emotional” (p. 18). Jordan (2022) adds to these six areas cited by Dunlop (2014) with the inclusion of environmental and occupational health. Moreover, Arloski (2014) supports Dunlop’s (2014) explanation through the examination of the human potential movement inspired by Maslow’s teachings on self-actualization that eventually included body, mind, spirit, and environmental influences. Furthermore, Arloski (2014) explains that although the secular wellness worldview has been slow to change, he says, “Wellness has now come full circle, exploring all aspects of being well” (p. 29).

A biblical and secular worldview can and is working together in health and wellness fields, and mental health counseling currently. Examples of this can be seen in counseling, social work, and coaching with the incorporation of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual intake information gathered on the client as part of the initial assessment process. This approach now leads to the client being seen as a whole person and not simply as parts of an individual. Thus, creating a holistic worldview that includes a biblical and secular worldview of wellness to treatment or coaching.

References

Arloski, M. (2014). Wellness coaching for lasting lifestyle change (2^nd ed.). Whole Person Associates Inc.

Dunlop, J. (2014). Wellness for the Glory of God: Living Well after 40 with Joy and Contentment. Crossway.

Jordan, M. A. (2022). How to be a health coach: An integrative wellness approach. (3^rd ed.). Global Medicine Enterprises, Inc.

King James Bible. (2017). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1769).