Wellness: How Do You Act?

Health is acting assertively, not passively or aggressively^.1

Let’s look at the meaning of each word before we proceed with our soul conversation.  To act assertively means to behave confidently and not afraid to say what you want or believe.  To act passively means to allow other people to be in control to influence or change a situation.  To act aggressively means to behave in an angry and violent way towards another person; or to use forceful action to achieve victory or success.

As a young woman, fresh out of teacher training college with ideas of educational reform, I finally stopped counting how many times I was accused of being “too know” (proud in approach) about certain methods I support in the practice of teaching in my predestined profession and ministry. If a woman stands firm in her beliefs and expresses them confidently without fear for the good of educating young minds, why is she not given the same accolades as a man who expresses the same ideas in the same manner?  Young girls and guys, keep this one thing in mind:

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27).

So, never mind the haters. Keep on pressing forward doing what God calls you to do in humble assertiveness. Assertive is a personality trait that refers to a person's ability to confidently and decisively express their thoughts (ideas), feelings, and opinions. An assertive person knows how to communicate their needs and boundaries without being aggressive or passive. They are self-assured and not afraid to speak up for the truth, for what is right, and take action when necessary.

Book Cover: Moses Crosses the Red Sea, A Story of Faith and Courage by Mary Manz Simon

While Moses stood passively at the edge of the Jordan River with the Egyptian enemy aggressively pursuing the people of Israel from the rear, the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” I could hear Moses asking the Lord, “Go where, into the sea and die?”  God used a “foolish thing”—the rod in Moses’ hand: But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it.  And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea (Exodus 14:15-16).

Now Moses had used that rod countless times in the presence of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to work signs and wonders.  But at the point of panic, he forgot the power he was holding in his own hand.  Yes, at times, life can be so overwhelming that, even the encourager and the leader of a people, can lose confidence.  When this happens, we fall into a passive state and use God as an excuse: “Well, God is in control, so let’s pray that all will work out, because the Bible says all things will work out for good to those who love the Lord.”  (Read Romans 8:28.)

And who’s to blame if things don’t work out well?  Passive (nominal, or lukewarm/cold) Christians shift all things, good and bad, on God when God emphatically promises His children that I know the thoughts I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  You are to blame when passivity kicks in and you do nothing to influence or change a situation, but are ever ready to point your one finger to accuse while ignoring the three fingers pointing back at you.  Those three fingers represent God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit righteously rebuking you for forgetting (or for choosing to ignore) who you are in Christ.

Make a Difference means changing a situation around for the good of everyone involved. This change starts TODAY and lasts EVERYDAY.

Dear Christian, even unbelievers profess: “God helps those who help themselves.”  This statement is not even found in the Bible!  The Lord God was instructing Moses: “Use what’s in your hand to be well (safe, free from the wrath of the Egyptians).”  What’s in your hand?  Again, this refers to your one thing.  Don’t look at your one thing as foolish by human opinion or standards.  Look at your one thing as “the wisdom of God” which can save you, your household, workplace, community, church, or nation.  Then assertively use it to get the results you desire—peace (wellness) and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Egyptians aggressively chasing the Israelites to stop their going forward into the land of God's Promise. Just as the enemy wants to stop you from living victoriously in God's promises for you, the enemy, like these Egyptians, shall surely fail. Read Jeremiah 29:11-13.

The Egyptians were aggressive in going after the Israelites because they wanted their workforce of slaves back.  When the leaders realized they would have to hire and pay for the labor the Israelites did without pay, they could foresee economic hardship for their nation.  The pursuit of money should never be an excuse for violence against other people.  Yet, today, a man can kill another for the love of his money.

Young people, take this advice to heart: When God chose the “weak thing” in young David to overthrow the mighty Goliath, even the army of the Lord laughed at the notion.  But David, in bold confidence, spoke what he believed (1 Samuel 17), took the “foolish thing” that was in his hand and assertively, threw it right between the eyes of that giant knocking him out cold on the ground, then cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword.  Because young David, about 17 years old, assertively used and completely trusted in the name of the Lord, he could run towards that giant confidently and not afraid.

The Story Of David is a painting by Clive Uptton which was uploaded on June 11th, 2019.

Take a good long look in the mirror, beloved, and watch that spirit of passivity vanishing from within you right now!  Then see God’s power being placed into your hands and filling you up with His confidence to conquer that ‘giant’ in your life.  You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that you should walk—go forward—in them, assertively (Ephesians 2:10).

Do not fear the ‘wisdom of men’, but go forward doing your one thing with confidence—being certain of your ability, or talent(s).   God gave it to you, so you cannot fail.  And, when you use it assertively, it will make you well.

© 2020, 2025 by Patience Osei-Anyamesem. All rights reserved.  Published by The Light In Me Enterprise.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of the publisher.  The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews or other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The artwork depicted in the blog article is carefully selected to draw out the points made for healing of the soul, and by no means promote any ideologies from the various artists unless they are found in the center of God's perfect will.

1.     Travis, J. (1977). The Wellness Workbook. Mill Valley, CA, USA: Wellness Resource Center.

Pastor Patience is, by profession, an Instructional Design & Training Consultant and, as a trained classroom teacher, has taught young people and older people over the course of 30 years the subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Computing, and Etiquette as the first Headmistress of Global Village Christian Academy Int'l School in Ashanti Region; and, prior to that, served as the first Headmistress of Victory Academy International School in Eastern Region, both founded by her late father, Rev. Peter Osei-Anyamesem.

As such, throughout her career and in her current role as a Children’s Ministry Regional Director in Assemblies of God, Ghana, she has trained approximately 1,000 Mentor-Teachers in Models of Learning. She is author of Multiplying Our Children's Church with “Real Talk”: Application of Wholistic Christ-Centered Education for the Home, School and Church; of the internet blog you are now reading, Take My Hand Inspirations: Conversations with the Soul; and the biannual editions of “Real Talk” Teaching Tract Curriculum Series for the training, development, and welfare of children and teens.

Patience Osei-Anyamesem has also authored “My Cup Overflows” storybook collection and a repertoire of children's plays including The Power of Purity, Christ-the Light of the World, and award-winners: So Eat Mama's Banku and Okra Stew! and Send Your Girl-child to School. 

As part of her children and teen literacy up-skill campaign, she designed, published, and trains the Teach Me English! Language Pedagogy and Curriculum for home, private, and public schools. 

She is available for helping you reach out and positively touch the lives of children and teens in your homes, schools, and churches through speaking engagements, teen summits, seminars/symposia, and camps.  Stay posted for activities and events for participation of your children and teens!  You can contact her by clicking on the comments bubble and text your request. Let’s get assertive for the welfare of future generations!