Wellbeing - A Lent journey to transformation and renewal
Tracey Collins, Wellbeing Officer in the South West Peninsula District, shares her thoughts on wellbeing during Lent.
17 March 2025
This year during Lent, I decided that instead of giving something up like chocolate it would be a good opportunity to revisit my own wellbeing journey to see if I needed to refocus on the challenges of keeping good self-care. As my job title would imply, I have become a wellness convert and I am passionate about promoting wellbeing!
Allowing the transforming shift that good wellbeing can bring into our lives is crucial. For the Church to be truly missional, wellbeing needs to be at the heart of everything it does. Positive self-care better supports not just our physical and mental health, but importantly our spiritual health and development and our personal connections with others.
Spirituality and wellbeing are closely related. If we prioritise our wellbeing, we can strengthen our spiritual connection and relationship with God. When we make room for spiritual growth through prayer, meditation, and other spiritual activities, it will deepen our spiritual development and uplift our lives. When our wellbeing is good, positive changes happen, resulting in a more balanced and fulfilling life.
When our self-care is good it also strengthens our relationships with others. By prioritising our self-care, establishing boundaries, and engaging in positive communication, our relationships are improved both with loved ones and work colleagues. This will also have a knock-on effect in promoting stronger bonds and support among our communities to.
Positive wellbeing not only benefits us individually, but it has an impact on those around us. By being role models in our own wellbeing, we will be better able to support others in their own wellbeing journeys. Nurturing a culture of care and compassion contributes to building healthier and more thriving Churches and communities so we all will benefit.
In addition to giving us a chance for introspection and rejuvenation, Lent serves as a reminder of Jesus' example, who demonstrated compassion, love, and selflessness in both his teachings and deeds. By taking Jesus' lead and putting a higher priority on our wellbeing, we may strengthen our bonds with God, others, and ourselves, which will result in personal development, change, and a revitalised sense of purpose in life.
Would you join me this Lent and explore your wellbeing journey? Making thoughtful decisions about our wellbeing can bring significant transformation in our lives and relationships, bringing more joy, peace, and fulfilment for not only ourselves and the people we connect with, but also for the Church's mission and the communities in which we live.