Stewarding Your Body Well: A Christian Guide to Health and Wholeness

When you hear the phrase, “your body is a temple,” what comes to mind? For some, it’s a reminder to exercise or eat better. For others, it may sound like a cliché we’ve heard so often that it’s lost its weight. But friend, this truth from Scripture is powerful, freeing, and deeply practical: your body is God’s dwelling place, created on purpose, for a purpose.

This isn’t about vanity, obsessing over looks, or chasing impossible beauty standards. It’s about stewardship. Just as we take care of our homes, nurture relationships, or manage resources God entrusts to us, we are also called to tend to the vessel He has given us—our body.

And when we do? We reflect His glory. We serve with more energy. We live with greater joy. We walk in confidence, not because of what the world says, but because we know who we belong to.

In this post, I want to invite you into a gentle but purposeful journey: looking at our bodies not as projects to perfect, but as temples to steward—holy spaces where God’s Spirit dwells. Together, let’s unpack what that means and how we can live it out.

1. The Biblical Foundation: Your Body Belongs to God

Let’s start with the truth straight from Scripture. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV):

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Pause and breathe that in.

• You are not your own.
• You were bought at a price.
• Your body is a temple.

The temple in ancient Israel wasn’t just a beautiful building—it was sacred. It was the place of God’s presence, treated with utmost reverence and care. And now, in Christ, that presence resides in you.

This changes everything about how we view our physical selves. Caring for our bodies is not about chasing the “perfect” size, shape, or skin. It’s not punishment for eating dessert or a desperate scramble to keep up with trends. It’s worship.

When you nourish your body, move it, rest it, and honor its God-given dignity, you’re saying:

“Lord, thank You for this temple. I choose to honor You with it.”

2. Rejecting the World’s Lies About Beauty

Let’s be honest: the world has a loud and demanding voice when it comes to our bodies. The changing trends and cultural shifts give us a moving beauty target, and honestly one we will never hit.

It says:

• “You’ll be worthy when you lose 10 pounds.”
• “Beauty looks like whatever is trending right now.”
• “Hide your flaws at all costs.”

But God’s Word counters with a gentle, steady truth:

• You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
• Your worth isn’t in outward appearance but in the hidden person of the heart. (1 Peter 3:3–4)
• God delights in you as you are, and His Spirit transforms you from within.

Stewarding your body doesn’t mean bowing to cultural pressure. It means lovingly partnering with the One who designed you. That looks more like freedom than obsession, more like peace than striving. And in a world of constant chaos, we need freedom and peace more than ever. And that, my friend, does not come from anything external. True and soul-deep meaning is found in our honest relationship with Jesus.

As Christian women, we are invited to step out of the exhausting cycle of comparison and instead ask:

“Lord, how can I care for this temple in a way that brings You glory?”

3. Nourishment: Feeding the Temple with Grace

Food is not the enemy. It is God’s gift. Scripture describes food as a blessing, a provision, even a symbol of His care. Think of Jesus feeding the multitudes or the psalmist rejoicing that God satisfies us with good things. But how often do we approach food with guilt, fear, or control?

Honoring God with our bodies means inviting Him even into our meals. This doesn’t mean rigid diets or restriction, but rather gratitude and stewardship. A few encouragements:

• Choose foods that give life and energy. Think colorful fruits, nourishing grains, and wholesome proteins—not out of fear, but out of love for the temple you’re caring for. If God didn’t make it, you may want to think twice about taking it.
• Practice mindful eating. Slow down. Savor. Thank God for every bite. Use meal time to as a time of gratitude and connection. Instead of focusing on all the “wrong” things we see in our body, be grateful for all that is right!
• Reject shame. Enjoying dessert is not a sin. Food is not “good” or “bad.” Instead, it’s fuel and fellowship, provision and pleasure. Begin practicing healthy habits and focus on the fruit of the Spirit in all things, even our meals.

Ask yourself before meals: “Will this choice help me serve God with more energy, focus, and joy?”

When the answer is yes, rejoice. When it’s no, remember: grace is abundant, and tomorrow is a fresh start. The goal is not perfection, and there is room for grace. I take very seriously walking out my purpose in Jesus, which is why I choose nourishing foods and healthy habits that help, rather than hinder, that purpose. Discipline is like a muscle-the more we use it the more we strengthen it and its abilities.

We all have a purpose, and when we stray from God’s design for food and stewardship of our bodies, it can affect the effectiveness of our lives. Over the years of unknowingly making unhealthy food choices, my body has developed autoimmune issues and sensitivities to foods. For the most part, I can stay away from things that slow down my ability to think and process, but I have my moments of weakness.

I don’t think we realize just how much food and having the proper amounts us nutrients in our bodies affect us physically, mentally, and spiritually. As Alex Clark says, “the devil doesn’t want you well and thriving.” In other words, the enemy will use whatever means necessary to limit your abilities and hinder your effectiveness. Don’t for a second think the enemy won’t use what we consume every single day to slowly chip away at our effectiveness and purpose.

4. Movement: Honoring the Temple Through Activity

Our bodies were made to move. Think of walking through gardens with God in Eden, dancing in celebration like David, or Jesus journeying from town to town. Movement isn’t punishment; it’s a gift.

But again, let’s redeem the motivation. Exercise shouldn’t be about “earning” food or punishing ourselves for imperfection. It’s about strengthening the temple, boosting energy, and releasing joy.

Some ways to approach movement worshipfully:

• Find joy in it. Whether that’s walking in nature, dancing in your living room with your kids, or stretching gently, choose what makes your heart come alive.
• See it as gratitude. Each step, each breath, each stretch can become a prayer of thanks for what your body can do.
• Be consistent, not extreme. Stewardship is about sustainable rhythms, not unsustainable extremes.
• Exercise as worship. Put on some worship music and tune out the rest of the world for a bit. Use your exercise time as an opportunity to connect and have an honest conversation with God. There is something special about moving your body and letting out all of the things swirling in your head.

Remember: you’re not working out to “fix” yourself—you’re moving to celebrate what God has already given you. There is power in contentment and proper view of our body image.

5. Rest: Guarding the Temple with Sabbath

One of the most overlooked aspects of health is rest. In a culture that glorifies hustle and busyness, God whispers a countercultural truth: “Be still.”

Sleep is not laziness. Sabbath is not optional. Both are biblical. Jesus Himself often withdrew to quiet places to pray, to rest, to recharge. If the Son of God made time for stillness, how much more do we need it?

Stewarding your temple means:

• Prioritizing good sleep as a holy rhythm.
• Saying “no” to endless obligations so you can say “yes” to God’s peace.
• Guarding Sabbath as sacred—a time to lay down striving and simply be in His presence.

Rest is not wasted time. It is worship. And something we are actually commanded to do. It’s as if God knew how much we would strive beyond our own human limitations. He really is that good to even build in guidance to keep us well in all aspects of life.

6. Mental & Emotional Health: Renewing the Temple’s Mind

We can’t talk about stewarding the body without also caring for the mind and emotions. God created us as whole beings—body, soul, and spirit intertwined.

Scripture calls us to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Romans 12:2). That includes what we dwell on, what we consume mentally and physically, and how we process emotions.

Some practices for mental and emotional stewardship:

• Guard your intake. Just as we filter food, filter media. What you watch, scroll, and listen to shapes your thought life.
• Practice gratitude. Science confirms what Scripture has long said: a thankful heart leads to peace.
• Seek support. God often brings healing through community, counseling, and trusted friends. Don’t carry burdens alone.
• Pray Scripture. Let God’s Word replace lies with truth.

Caring for your mental health is not a sign of weak faith—it is faithful stewardship. Caring for our mental health trickles down into our physical health and ability to walk in our purpose. Guard your mind with all that you consume, whether through food or entertainment.

7. Spiritual Health: The True Center of the Temple

At the heart of it all, stewarding your body as a temple comes back to this: making room for God’s Spirit to dwell richly. Without spiritual nourishment, all other efforts fall short. Exercise without prayer, nutrition without gratitude, rest without trust—it all becomes self-focused rather than God-glorifying.

So ask yourself daily:

• Am I creating space for His Word?
• Am I inviting His presence into my routines?
• Am I letting Him be the true cornerstone of this temple?

Friend, no skincare routine, workout plan, or healthy recipe will ever bring the wholeness only His Spirit provides. That’s the secret to stewarding your body: it’s not about self-improvement, but Spirit-indwelling.

I don’t separate Jesus from anything in my life. I see Him as Lord overall and Christ in me. Stewarding your body well takes on a whole new meaning when we realize we are a house for the Spirit of the Lord. Wellness is serious, and it is sacred, holy ground.

8. Practical Steps for Daily Temple Stewardship

Let’s get really practical. How can we live this out day by day without slipping into perfectionism or guilt? Here are some simple rhythms to consider:

Remember: this is not about rigid rules but about rhythms of love and care.

9. Extending Grace: The Temple is Still Under Renovation

One of the most important truths to hold onto is this: God is patient with our process.

The temple of Jerusalem was built, destroyed, rebuilt, and refined over centuries. Likewise, your journey with your body will not be linear. There will be seasons of discipline and seasons of struggle, times of thriving and times of healing.

And through it all, God’s Spirit never leaves the temple. So release perfectionism. Embrace grace. Celebrate progress, however small. And remember: the goal is not a flawless body, but a faithful heart.

10. A Vision of Wholeness

Imagine what it would look like if more of us embraced this vision of stewardship.

• Churches full of believers who serve with energy because they’ve cared for their bodies.
• Women free from comparison because their worth is anchored in God’s design.
• Homes marked by gratitude at the dinner table, joy in movement, and peace in rest.
• Generations learning that caring for the body is not vanity, but worship.

Friend, that vision starts with us. With the small choices, the daily prayers, the gentle reminders that this temple is holy, and it is His. The example for our families and the next generation starts with us.

If you take away one thing from this post, let it be this: Your body is not a project to perfect. It is a temple to steward. God delights in you—not the “future you” with different measurements or habits, but you right now. And yet, He also calls you into growth, not out of shame, but out of love.

So today, choose one small step. Drink the water. Take the walk. Turn off the phone. Open the Word. Whisper the prayer. Do it not for the scale, not for the mirror, not for the approval of others—but for the glory of the One who calls your body His temple.

And as you do, may you find freedom, joy, and wholeness in Him.

✨ With love and encouragement always, keep shining beauty from the inside out—for His glory.