Let’s face it, we all want to live a long and healthy life. But with the stressful work life, personal responsibilities, and bills piling up due to higher costs of living, it is becoming more of a challenge to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So, how do we find the time and energy to live a healthy lifestyle? The bible contains many encouraging verses that can help us get on track to living a healthy and balanced life.
For many of us, staying on track can be tricky at best, impossible at worst and we constantly find ourselves seeking new diets, a renewed commitment to fitness, and the hope that better health is just around the corner. The thing is, there’s only one way to keep you motivated! And that’s looking to the Bible for some health and wellness inspiration and truth! Not sure where to look? Check out this list of 15 encouraging bible verses about health and wellness.
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What does the bible say about health and wellness?
The Bible speaks of health and wellness in many ways, but often in relation to that of spiritual health. The apostle Paul writes about the importance of living a holy lifestyle, giving up sinful habits and practicing self-control. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”
I often share on this blog the importance of understanding the truth of taking care of ourselves and being intentional about stewarding your health. This is because when you firmly believe and embrace the truth of God’s word as an answer to every question you may have, it becomes easier to walk this life in a manner that doesn’t simply deplete you, but instead allows you to experience the fullness of life!
When we trust in God’s plan, that means we are trusting him with every part of the plan and all the details. Including living a life that stewards the spirit, mind, and body blessings we have!
Bible verses about health and wellness
These first bible verses about health and wellness will speak to why we should internalize the face that our health is important to the Lord. These verses should also remind us that we can actively participate in our health and healing preventively by living a holistically healthy lifestyle.
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 – Bible Gateway
And Do Not Get Drunk With Wine, For That Is Debauchery, But Be Filled With The Spirit Ephesians 5:18
“May the very God of peace sanctify you completely. And I pray to God that your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).
“but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint” (Is. 40:31).
“No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
Bible verses about being healthy and fit
These next scriptures about health and wellness will speak towards actually being healthy. This is in the choices we make day to day. So much of what fellowship is as a human is surrounded by food, and biblically this was true too!
So many times in the bible, the Lord would request the Israelites to remember a particular miracle the Lord had performed with a feast. But this was before trans fats and processed foods. Our fit-ness, our ability to be ready to do the work that God places before us depends on us walking with him in our health too. The following verses on being health and fit will remind you of why being healthy is important and how God desires you to turn your health and fitness to him.
If Anyone Destroys God’s Temple, God Will Destroy That Person; For God’s Temple Is Sacred, And You Together Are That Temple. 1 Corinthians 3:17
For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church Ephesians 5:29
“Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
“What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19).
“Now no discipline seems to be joyful at the time, but grievous. Yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift up your tired hands, and strengthen your weak knees” (Heb. 12:11-12).
Bible verses about physical fitness
Everything we do should be for the glory of God. It is easy to think of this and follow it when we are considering serving others, being kind and decent, and giving God glory for our career and educational accolades. But we tend to get quiet when we need to consider this when it comes to our physical fitness and health. For some reason, we feel guilty about considering taking care of ourselves as something God wants us to do. Or we get super holy and say that God will care for us.
While this is true! God will take care of us, but he also wants us to take care of the things that he gives us. To steward those things well, and we only get this one life on Earth. We have one body, one mind, one heart. We have to take care of those things as precious and not abuse the fact that God does care for us.
The following verses about physical fitness can help you keeping pressing towards the mark as you embark on a new healthy lifestyle.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
“I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
“So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty. So I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I bring and keep my body under subjection, lest when preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:26-27).
“She clothes herself with strength, and strengthens her arms” (Prov. 31:17).
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Why does God want us to be healthy?
God wants us to be able to go where he sends us. He wants us to be able to do the things that he calls us to do and participate in the plans that he has for us alongside him. And he has given us a blueprint to be able to do that.
Our health, is a reflection of him. I am not talking about things that are outside of our control. We live in a broken world, and sin and the consequences of the fall are rampant. But even with potential chronic diseases or birth challenges, we can live a life that shows that God is greater by being the best versions of ourselves, healthy and whole, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Top 3 Bible studies on health and wellness
If you are truly ready to kickstart a healthy lifestyle and live life seeking to honor God in your body, perhaps a deeper bible study on health and wellness or a devotional on fitness may be the next step for you!
I have collected a few of my favorite studies and devotionals on living a healthy lifestyle that will absolutely help you rock your fitness goals and grow closer to God in the process.
Grace for the Afflicted
In the same way that I believe any goal starts with the bible, I also believe that a healthy lifestyle starts with your mental health. When you are plagued with anxiety, depression, or other limiting and harmful thoughts it is impossible to live up to the fullness of the potential that God planned for you. This health and wellness bible study, author Matthew Stanford writes to educate Christians about mental illness from both the biblical and spiritual perspectives.
It is a great encouragement for people who both suffer mental illness and for leaders seeking to have a better understanding for those they minister to.
Made to Crave
For so many of us who jump on and off the bandwagon like it’s the hokey pokey, figuring out the core problem of why poor food and other unhealthy choices are so easy to make it key to finally kicking out fitness journey into gear. Made to Crave was pivotal for this for me! This isn’t a book that dives into what to eat and how much, but moreso, why we eat what we eat and how to focus on the only one who can truly satisfy the cravings we feel.
Satisfied: A 90-Day Spiritual Journey Toward Food Freedom
If you are seeking to change the way you relate to food, whether it is just healthier food behaviors or those struggling with food addictions, then you want to check out Satisfied. Author, Dr. Rhona Epstein shares her testimony of overcoming food addiction and how you can trust God and take the first steps to food freedom. The daily writings are beautifully inspiring and the Freedom activities are wholly thought provoking. If you are struggling to find a grace filled approach to recovery from any addiction that will teach you to find your complete satisfaction in Jesus, this is your book.