Spiritual Wellness

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Do you worry if you’re good enough for God? Are you afraid of losing God’s love? Many people attempt to ease their fears about God’s love through religious practice. All too often, people try to demonstrate being worthy of His love by becoming “religious.” Unfortunately, this attempt at winning God’s love is in vain.

We cannot earn His love or acceptance with our religious practice. Many people become infatuated with religion rather than focusing on an authentic relationship with God. This is called “religiosity” or substituting “how religious a person is” for God’s love. In the end, religiosity wounds our soul by using fear to convince us that we must earn God’s love.

Without the knowledge that God loves us unconditionally, people feel afraid of Him. We instinctively feel we can never truly be good enough for God, therefore, this fear is also accompanied by shame.  God doesn’t want us to feel shame. He wants us to feel His love.

Jesus demonstrated His love for people without ever even implying shame. He dined with tax collectors, rescued prostitutes and healed lepers. He loved people unconditionally.  Just as today, religiosity was Jesus’ greatest obstacle on Earth. The Pharisees and Sadducees were too caught up in being religious to acknowledge Jesus’ love. In the end, it was religiosity that turned on Jesus.

Today, we must accept that God loves us unconditionally. Then, we can unconditionally love ourselves. We can stop worrying whether we’re good enough for God. We can stop wondering if people will find us worthy or religious. We can trust ourselves to love God and others. We can be free from fear and shame.

Healing Through Guided Meditation.  I John 4:18 “Perfect love casts out all fear because fear has to do with punishment.”

1) Ask God to show you the first time you felt fear and shame because of religion. Close your eyes & let him show you the first memory.

2) While meditating on this memory, ask Jesus to replace the fear and shame with His love.

3) Picture your heart. While you receive His love, imagine the fear of punishment running away. Let his love wash over you.

Has God shown you His love in a new way?  Share your thoughts.

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What’s the difference between a sinner and a “religious” person who’s constantly afraid of sinning? Both have focused on sin. And, both have lost sight of the real goal. Are you focused on Sin?

Spiritual Wellness is a journey that requires focus on the goal. The goal is the Truth. Religion is a preoccupation with sin that taints everything we hear, see and touch.  On the journey, we must not become preoccupied with sin. We must keep our eyes on the road, and be aware of the signs that lead us to Truth.

Over the years, I’ve encountered countless examples of religion getting in the way of the Truth. In one instance, a mom berated her daughter for listening to an Isley Brothers record. The mother cried, “Itch your thing, how disgusting!”  Of course, the words are “IT’S your thing, do what you want to do.” This mom was distracted by the pretense of sin, losing sight of what really matters in life … her daughter’s love of music.  Fortunately, this mother and daughter reconciled and now laugh at the memory.

Religion was the greatest obstacle to Jesus’ ministry. While He healed the sick and fed the hungry, His accusers blamed Him of abolishing the law. Jesus criticized his religious opponents as blind hypocrites and blind guides!

Today, many Christians are blinded from the Truth. A pervasive fear of sinning cripples their spiritual progress, leading them away from the light. Fear not! Light overcomes darkness.

Have you become preoccupied with sin? Do you obsess about being “good enough” for God? Do you worry whether your church will approve of your decisions? Focus on God’s goodness, love and grace. Focus on His nature, and you will follow the signs to your destiny.

How have you stayed focused on Truth, rather than on religion?  Share your thoughts.

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When people first meet my dad, Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schuller, they’re often amazed by his genuine and approachable persona. When they first see him, they expect to meet a great orator who is perhaps aloof and impersonal. Instead, they find an authentic, affable man who’s good nature stems from his spiritual journey.

Unlike so many ministers today, my father prioritized his Spiritual Wellness. Several years ago, he joined a Bible study called Soul Renovation. With the help of this small group, he focused on healing his past, and consequently, his relationship with God.  As a result, he authentically loves God and people.

He speaks openly, writes books and courageously shares his passion for spiritual healing. Recently, he joined 300 pastors at Kairos, a two-day intensive inner healing event.  Though pastors attended from around the world, my dad was the only television figure in the room.

At the event, the pastors all ate dinner together. When it was time for dessert, my dad grabbed a dish of cookies and passed it around the table.  Most of the attendees treated him like a regular guy. They talked about golf, kids and all the usual.  Still, a few pastors acted awe-struck making it mildly uncomfortable.  I confess, it nearly drove me mad when some of the attending pastors would gawk at him and ask inappropriate questions.

When I asked my dad how he managed to stay so calm, he explained the importance of treating everyone with kindness and dignity. “Besides,” he emphasized, “I might miss the opportunity to meet interesting people.”   Despite the on look of so many curious eyes, he plunged headlong into this inner healing seminar. That’s my dad!

When we’re able to trust God with our hearts, then we no longer fear being vulnerable. We are able to model the healing process for others.  We are able to say, “Hey, look at me. This is how it’s done!”

After all, only free people can free people! How has your healing process helped others to heal?  Tell us your story.  Share your thoughts.

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Happy New Year!  Are you Ready?  This is the question I ask myself before starting any new goal. I hope you have your goals in place.  If not, it’s time to get started.  Goals serve as milestones on the path to your purpose. So travelers, beware! Every worthwhile goal comes at a price. Before you step-out toward your goal, be sure you’re ready for the challenge.

Perhaps you’re like me? I often feel intimidated by the mountain standing between me and my purpose. I instinctively know that the path to my purpose requires grueling work, unyielding dedication and loads of emotional energy.  To give my goals this type of time and attention, I have to limit life’s amenities. I rework my schedule, spend less time on Facebook and turn down social invitations.

Whenever I remove a familiar amusement, I feel a temporary void. The void that accompanies sacrifice can feel painful and unnerving. For me, this is the truly difficult part. Thankfully, through Spiritual Wellness, I know how to fill the void.

Spiritual Wellness and Your Goals.

Nearly ten years ago, a friend inspired to me to change my physical wellness. I was lethargic, depressed and felt horrible about my self-image. Meanwhile, she was vibrant, confidant and fit. Afterall, she had just lost 80lbs!  When I asked her how she managed to change her life, her answer was simple and strategic, “I was ready.”

And, I realized … so was I. I was ready to face the void of comfort food. I was ready to face the void of endless naps. I knew how to fill the void. I would fill it spiritually.  Whenever I didn’t feel like going to the gym, I reminded myself that I was ready for positive, spiritual change. Whenever I wanted an emotional eating binge, I would ask God to be my comfort and strength.  I lost 30 lbs, plus a ton of emotional baggage. In return, I gained my health, energy and happiness.

Are you ready? Experience tells me that every goal requires sacrifice.  And, where there is sacrifice, there will be a temporary void.   Only Spiritual Wellness will fill the void left behind as you move forward in life. Like air in an empty room, God fits perfectly into all space and time. He will fill the void.  Remember, once you’ve set your goals, be sure to ask yourself, “Am I ready?”  Then jump into your goals with the confidence that God will fill any void.

What are you ready for this year?  Join our conversation.  

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Why wait until the New Year to jump-start your positive resolution? Why begin in January what you want and should start today? Join my 2009 Christmas Challenge!  If you can create positive change at the most challenging time – the holidays – then, you can surely maintain it throughout the entire year!

The 2009 Christmas Challenge is your Spiritual Wellness focus during the holidays. This Christmas, honor your Spiritual Wellness path. Physical wellness is a proactive approach to our health, as opposed to a reaction to symptoms. Spiritual Wellness is a positive and proactive approach to life and faith.

Last March I started working out with a fitness trainer. I wanted to shed the pounds I’d first gained as a newlywed, plus the few extra I’d put on during the holidays. I was out of shape! My trainer said it was a good time to sign-up because the “New Year’s Enthusiasts” had finally faded out. That’s right – they gave up!

We love the holidays – the food, family and fun! We should enjoy and celebrate this wonderfully meaningful time of year. But, our celebration must not be at the expense of our quality of life.  If we’re not careful, the holidays can be a GRINCH! During the holidays, people gain excessive weight that they never lose. They drink more than normal, get into fights with family and charge up those credit cards. In just four weeks of holiday bliss, countless Americans compromise the next 11 months of their lives.

Maybe you’re among the elite few who don’t make horrible decisions over the holidays? That’s great! Good for you! But, you too can join the 2009 Christmas Challenge!

Last year, on the day after Christmas, I awoke to a shocking disappointment. I had celebrated Christmas without ever reading the Christmas story! I typically will take a quiet evening with Christmas music and candles to read the Christmas story and meditate. To me, this is Christmas.

What makes Christmas meaningful for you? Join the 2009 Christmas Challenge and resolve to create the Christmas memories that you will cherish forever. Read the biblical narrative, volunteer at a soup kitchen or give to a stranger in need.   The positive resolutions you make during the holiday seasons may give you the super-charge you need to create lasting change.  Focus your holidays on Spiritual Wellness!

Are you joining the 2009 Christmas Challenge? What positive resolution will you begin today? To join the 2009 Christmas Challenge, just leave a comment.

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Trick or Treat!  Each Halloween, we dress-up in elaborate costumes, pretending to be powerful creatures with supernatural abilities. Almost everyone wears a mask on Halloween. Some people pretend to be superheroes and others dress up like angels. You can create any imaginary character with the right costume.   On Halloween, anyone can transform into who they’ve always wanted to be – gloriously powerful and mystical.

Why don’t people feel glorious and powerful without the costume? Why are we pretending?  Have we forgotten who we really are? Perhaps we lost sight of what it means to be human?

When we connect with God and live from within, then we are truly powerful individuals with supernatural ability. We are created in God’s image.  As such, we have His power to shape our cultures and even our planet.  Isn’t that glorious!  He also created us with the supernatural ability to connect and communicate with the divine. As mystical creatures, we are deeply connected to a greater spiritual reality.

Sadly, most people are unaware of their supernatural ability. They simply misunderstand the meaning of being created in God’s image. To their own detriment, they hide from God & instead only pretend to be glorious on Halloween. They don’t know their true self.

God knows who we are. Through our relationship with God, we too can begin to know who we really are. If you’ve forgotten who you really are, let this holiday help you remember. Remember that you were gloriously created in God’s image.  When you dress-up for Halloween this year, think about how you feel in your costume. Do you feel strong, powerful, beautiful or amusing?  Then, ask yourself whether you feel that way in real life.

Have fun on Halloween! Wear your costume mask with flair! Just be sure to remember who you really are behind the mask.

Do you feel powerful on an average day?  Share your thoughts.

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Are you transitioning into a new stage of life?  If so, you may need to empty the past before entering your future. This week I celebrate the end of my three-year tenure at Gateway Church as Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care.  I’m moving on to speaking, writing and launching my ­­­­­­­new video website.  I’ll also be available to travel with my husband as he works to build the AmericanLife Network and Family Net. What an exciting time for us as a young, married couple!  While this change will be rewarding, it’s also emotionally and spiritually exhausting. I miss what I must leave behind – my work as a pastor. I must be mindful to make time for my heart to release the past.

Only in meditation, can we empty our hearts and hands of the past. Then, we can walk into the future ready to receive all that God has for us. During my own transition, I take moments to reflect with gratitude. I remember the faces of young girls who sat in my office and trusted me with their deepest insecurities and fears. I remember how they heard God’s voice for the first time, how they forgave their parents and discovered their destiny. I remember the leaders I trained to lead recovery groups for hundreds of women. The impact through these women’s lives has been miraculous! As I feel gratitude for all these things, peace settles into my heart.

As we release the past, we also reflect on what we will carry with us into the future. When I reflect on what I will take with me into my future journey, I’m reminded of the inner healing I experienced. At this church, I found the safety and love that I had rarely experienced in church previously. It’s here that I was able to fully explore the limitless power of God through me.

To release the past in preparation for your future, take quiet moments to reflect in solitude. Ask God, “What do you want me to release from the past journey?” And, “What do you want me to carry into the future journey?”

What is God saying to you about change?  Share your thoughts.