Unmask and Act for Emotional Wellness

Unmask and Act for Emotional Wellness
Friday, March 28, 2025 by Laura S. Pierce, MBA, M.Ed., NBCT, Co-Director, Emotional Wellness Ministry, Seabrook SDA Church

When I came across Matthew 22:37, it made me stop in my tracks.

“‘… love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

What piece of me am I not loving God with? Am I wearing a mask in my relationship with God, let alone family, friends, and church members?

To love God with all our soul, means to unmask and be real with yourself. We need to face what’s broken and unhealthy inside of us.

As many have said, what cannot be named, cannot be healed. Once we’ve named or identified those places within our heart, we can surrender them and be healed.

Emotional wellness isn’t about having a perfect life. It’s about being honest with ourselves and taking the necessary steps toward healing. A simple but powerful process to achieve this is using this equation:

Emotional Wellness = ITripleA or IA³, where I = Identify; A = Acknowledge; A = Accept; A = Act.

Emotional Wellness = Identify→Acknowledge→Accept→Act

Let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Identify

The first step is to Identify the pain.

We need to take time to reflect and be honest with ourselves. We often go through life carrying emotional pain, struggles, and wounds without fully identifying them. Ask yourself: What are the things that keep me stuck? What are the things that prevent me from fully loving God and others? Consider whether it’s past hurts, toxic work or home environments, unresolved anger, fear, or even guilt.

Identifying the root of your emotions is the first step to healing.

Step 2: Acknowledge

Once we identify what is broken, we need to Acknowledge it.

This step requires courage. Acknowledging doesn’t mean staying stuck in the pain, but it’s about being real with yourself, and God. For example, a trusted friend asks, “Are you okay?” Instead of the automatic “I’m fine,” breathe and admit “I think I’m really stressed. I feel anxious all the time, and I don’t know how to slow down.”

This honesty removes the power of that hidden pain.

Step 3: Accept

The third step is to Accept.

This step is about accepting the flaw or brokenness within us. For instance, you might realize that a toxic friendship is draining you, but you’ve been avoiding the truth because you don’t want to let go. You can tell yourself, “This relationship isn’t healthy for me, and I need to set boundaries.”

We are not perfect or superheroes. It doesn’t mean liking the situation or issue that you are in. Rather, it means facing it so you can move forward.

Step 4: Act

The final step is to Act.

After identifying, acknowledging and accepting what’s wrong, you need to make changes. If stress is overwhelming you, start prioritizing rest and seeking help. If it’s a painful past, begin therapy, prayer, and forgiveness. If it’s an unhealthy relationship, take steps to distance yourself and find healthier connections.

Healing doesn’t just happen overnight, and it requires action on our part.

Key Takeaways

Remember, emotional wellness isn’t about ignoring pain, it’s about working through it!

When you follow the steps in the Emotional Wellness equation—Identify→Acknowledge→Accept→Act—then you open the door to healing, growth, and peace.

As you take this journey, be hopeful because you are … Beautifully Broken!!! As the song says:

Every tear, every doubt

Every time you’ve fallen down

When you’re hurting, feeling ashamed

When you’re numbing off your pain

When you’ve lost your way

And feel so far away

You’re not

You’re beautifully broken

And you can be whole again

Even a million scars doesn’t change whose you are

You’re worthy

Beautifully broken

…

Do not let past situations and traumas keep you from loving God with ALL your soul. He knows you are Beautifully Broken, so love yourself as you grow because God loves all of you!