INVESTigate - Spiritual Wellness

by Ps lee MENG cham

Shalom
health, well-being, wholeness, blessing, bliss, soundness, completion, salvation, justice


Big idea:
God desires our lives to reflect His shalom-peace


Embrace, Experience and Enjoy


Turn worries to wonder. Focus on God supernaturally turn to wonder

1. EMBRACE THE SHALOM-PEACE FROM GOD

Where does our shalom-peace comes from? God.

Ephesians 2:13-18
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.


Our spiritual wellness is shalom-peace, unmerited, undeserved, awed

How can one without God's shalom-peace invite others to God's peace?

a. A competitive spirit (easily given to envying achievement to others)
b. An argumentative spirit
c. A suspicious spirit (skeptical of future hope, everything is dark)
d. A dissatisfied spirit
e. An anxious spirit (pressured to perform, wanting to control)


2. EXPERIENCE THE SHALOM-PEACE OF GOD

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


Life throws many dangers at us, illness, fear of uncertainty, fear of abandonment, loss of job, insecurity etc. If we do not let go and go on, our spiritual well will dry up. Response in prayer with a heart of thanksgiving. Look in wonder, look to God in prayer. Say "God you are God and I am not"


When we encounter life's problem, we should rest easy and leave it to expert to run my life. The expert is God! Take my cues from Him. Not to resolve alone but in partnership with God. It is the presence of God where peace comes through, guarding my heart and my mind.


How can we know Him more?

a. Understand your Pathway
b. Establish a Routine (checking in with God on matters close to His heart and my heart)
c. Defer the solution to God's Way
d. Keep an attitude of Gratitude (Dear God, I don't know what is happening to me but I thank You and trust You looking out for me)


3. ENJOY THE SHALOM-PEACE WITH GOD

Spiritual wellness does not requires our lives to be perfect

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.


Romans 5:11
Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.


John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Crisis doesn't stop us from finding joy