The Lord led me recently to do an in-depth study of the term "well-being". I started with a dictionary, and I found that "well-being" means "a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity." Interestingly enough, the Bible contains a wealth of promises from God for our health, joy, and prosperity.

The Bible makes it clear that our well-being is very important to our God. In fact, it means so much to Him that He made provision for our well-being in Christ's work on the Cross. Scripture says: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole." (Isaiah 53:5 AMP) Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins so that you and I, as followers of Christ, could experience true well-being in this life. But, according to the Bible, there are things that you and I can do to prevent us from experiencing the fullness of this blood-bought well-being.

One way we can stifle God's gift of well-being to us is to refuse to walk in close fellowship with Him on a regular basis. Scripture tells us: "Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever - because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God - both now and forever]." (Romans 8:6 AMP) When we received Christ as our Savior, we received a new God-like nature. But we can override that nature and its benefits when we operate out of a fleshly, carnal mind by focusing on - and pursuing - sinful behaviors and attitudes. If we are wise, we will stay in constant communication with the Lord through focused prayer, and we will remain sensitive to His Spirit's leading. Then we will enjoy the abundant life, peace, and well-being that are our inheritance in Christ.

It's absolutely essential that we maintain a teachable spirit before the Lord, especially since the unbelieving world, and the dark forces behind it, are constantly trying to pull us away from God and His blessings. You can sense the urgency in God's voice when He says, "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48:17-18 NIV) No one knows better than God what is best for us. He created us, and when He made us, He did so with specific purposes and plans in mind. He knows our hearts better than we do ourselves, so He knows how to truly satisfy our desires, and how to fill our lives with meaning. When we embrace His leadership and His will for our lives, we will experience supernatural peace and well-being. Then our lives will always flow toward His blessings, and not away from them.

A refusal to trust God can greatly hinder our well-being. Proverbs says, "A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being." (Proverbs 28:25 MSG) What is a grasping person? It's someone who goes through life trying to get what they think they deserve, at the expense of others. These folks are greedy and materialistic, and they are never satisfied. They are some of the most miserable people you will ever know, because they will never have peace. On the other hand, those of us who belong to the Lord, and truly trust in Him, will rest in the knowledge that He will generously supply all of our needs, and He will even give us the desires of our hearts, as we give Him first place in our lives. (Philippians 4:19; Psalm 37:4)

Scripture says, "'For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP) Supernatural well-being is God's will for you, and the plans He has for you will always bring you peace. David the shepherd-king declared, "The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of His servant." (Psalm 35:27 NIV) Thank and praise God today that He has made provision for your well-being and your peace!

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that even though I live in this unbelieving world, I don't have to share in their restlessness, misery, and mediocrity. Grant me a teachable spirit so that I will always be sensitive and obedient to Your will for me. Give me a trusting heart so that I never become a greedy grasper. And help me to keep my mind on the things of God, instead of the things in this world that lead to death and destruction. Thank You that as I keep in step with Your Spirit, I will experience the peace and well-being that are my inheritance in Christ!