Chasing Health or Cherishing Life?

Chasing physical health has never been easier. Diets, supplements, sleep trackers, and workout programs flood our feeds and our minds with an endless stream of things to optimize. (Okay, maybe that’s just me!)

It’s good to care for the bodies God has given us. Paul himself says bodily training has “some value” in 1 Timothy 4. But if we’re not careful, the pursuit of health can drift off course. We start to believe that if we just find the right diet, the right workout, the right routine, we’ll finally be safe, fulfilled, happy.

Health was never meant to be our savior. It was meant to be our offering.

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Temples aren’t neglected, nor are they worshiped. They’re kept clean, strong, and beautiful to honor the One who dwells within.

When we care for our bodies, we aren’t just chasing better cholesterol numbers or a longer lifespan. We’re saying, “Lord, I treasure what You’ve entrusted to me. I want to be ready and resilient for the work You’ve called me to. I want my life to reflect the strength, order, and beauty You designed."

This is a message that is both a proclamation to those around us and a prayer to our Creator.

Every nourishing meal, every walk in the fresh air, every good night’s sleep becomes a small offering of gratitude. We’re not striving for perfection. We’re savoring His provision.

It’s easy to tip into extremes. Some dismiss health as vanity. Others cling to it tightly, hoping it will deliver the security and significance only God can give. But neither neglect nor obsession honors Him.

We care for our bodies so that we can love God with all our strength, and love our neighbor with willing hands and ready hearts.

This focus re-centers us: It’s why we say no to junk and yes to nourishment. Why we move our bodies when it would be easier to stay sedentary. Why we choose rhythms of rest instead of squeezing every last ounce of productivity out of ourselves.

Not to earn a prize.

Not to impress a crowd.

But to live faithfully the life we’ve been given.

You can stretch, lift, run, and eat kale until Jesus returns, but if you never pause to rest in Him, if you never sit quietly at His feet, you’ll miss the deeper health you were made for. The kind that refreshes both body and soul.

So yes. Build strength. Feed your body well. Pursue resilience.

But do it with joy, not competition. Delight in the gift of health without mistaking it for your god.

We were given bodies to steward and souls to sanctify. Let’s care for them both as one beautiful act of worship.