Going Deeper: Spiritual Growth in a Secular World

The Wellness Gospel, Radical Faith, and What to Do When You Don't "Feel" God

Justine Cheri Ordway Season 3 Episode 4

In this episode of Going Deeper, I’m unpacking the idea of the “Wellness Gospel”—the subtle belief that health and self-optimization can save us. I share about my own journey with health and wellness, and how something good slowly became an identity that distanced me from Jesus. I talk about how easy it is to elevate health, balance, and self-care above obedience and surrender, and how the true gospel of Jesus calls us into something far more radical. Through Scripture, I contrast the Wellness Gospel with the real gospel—the one that invites us to lose our lives for Christ’s sake and trust Him completely.

I also answered a listener's question about feeling distant from God. I share how faith isn’t about chasing feelings but about knowing God and remembering His faithfulness, even when our emotions waver. My hope is that this episode helps you see the difference between caring for your body and worshiping it—and reminds you that real wellness begins with a soul anchored in Him.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri

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Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header

Chapters
00:00 — Today's Agenda
03:12 — My Wellness Story
12:45 — The Wellness Gospel
23:30 — A Biblical View of Health
32:18 — Radical Faith 
38:50 — Listener Question: Feeling Distant from God

Keywords
wellness gospel, health, faith, Jesus, radical verses, self-help, spirituality, holistic health, personal journey, listener question