Taking Ownership: How Locus of Control Shapes Our Health

Do you feel in control of your health choices, or do you believe external forces determine them?

On the journey toward holistic wellness, our locus of control—our belief about what influences our life outcomes—plays a critical role. It shapes how we respond to challenges, make decisions, and sustain long-term well-being. Within the SEEDS framework—Spiritual health, Eating, Exercise, Discipline, and Sabbath—understanding where we place control helps us discern when to take action and when to let go.

Internal vs. External Locus of Control

An internal locus of control means recognizing that our thoughts, emotions, actions, decisions, gifts, and values are within our influence. It empowers us to take ownership, respond wisely, and direct energy toward what we can change. In this space, we discover freedom, responsibility, confidence, and peace.

Conversely, an external locus of control focuses on others' actions, decisions, or societal pressures. When we dwell here, we may fall into blame, frustration, or victimhood patterns, believing our health and happiness are shaped solely by external forces.

Where do you find yourself spending most of your energy? Many of us unknowingly operate from an external locus of control, especially when facing uncertainty or stress. Yet awareness is the first step toward empowerment.

Let's explore how each element of the SEEDS framework interacts with this mindset and offers growth opportunities.

Spiritual Health: Balancing Ownership and Surrender

Spiritual well-being invites us to balance action and trust. An internal locus of control encourages regular prayer, active faith, and the pursuit of virtue. But spiritual health also asks us to surrender—acknowledging that some outcomes are beyond our control and require faith in God's providence.

True spiritual maturity blends both: engaging intentionally while releasing the need to control everything.

Eating: Mindful Nourishment Through Choice

What we eat is one of the clearest reflections of our locus of control. An internal mindset leads us to make thoughtful, nourishing choices—seeing food as a tool for healing and vitality. It empowers us to resist the pull of convenience or marketing and instead honor our bodies with intention.

An external locus may cause us to feel stuck in unhealthy patterns driven by cravings or culture. Shifting our mindset begins with recognizing the power we have in every bite.

Exercise: Movement as Empowerment

Exercise is more than physical activity—it's a declaration of agency. Those with an internal locus of control approach movement with consistency and purpose, believing in their ability to strengthen the body and steward the gift of health.

Conversely, when we rely on external narratives like "I'm too old" or "I don't have time," we surrender our power. Taking ownership doesn't mean overexertion—it means choosing movement as an act of self-respect.

Discipline: Daily Choices That Shape a Lifetime

Discipline is where locus of control becomes tangible. Waking early, preparing meals, prioritizing routines—all acts rooted in the belief that our choices matter. An internal locus fosters habits that serve long-term wellness and spiritual growth.

Those stuck in an external mindset may wait for motivation or ideal circumstances. But discipline isn't about perfection—it's about showing up, again and again, with purpose.

Sabbath: The Sacred Practice of Letting Go

Interestingly, Sabbath invites us to lean into an external locus of control in a life-giving way. Rest requires surrender—to trust that the world won't fall apart without our constant doing. For those with a strong internal locus, Sabbath may feel counterintuitive. But choosing rest is not a weakness—it's obedience. It reminds us that while our choices matter, God sustains us. True wellness includes knowing when to stop, reflect, and renew.

Final Thoughts: A Call to Shift Perspective

The SEEDS framework challenges us to live with intention—to own our decisions while releasing the need to control every outcome. An internal locus of control empowers us to take responsibility for our health and habits. In contrast, a healthy external locus reminds us to surrender to God's grace and timing.

By recognizing where our power lies—and where it doesn't—we create space for purposeful action and spiritual peace. In doing so, we cultivate a lasting, faith-rooted wellness that thrives in discipline and rest.