One Word that Changed the Way I View My Health

There was a time when I approached my health from a place of striving.

Striving to lose the belly weight that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Striving to eat perfectly.

Striving to do exercise daily when my body just needed rest.

Striving to fix every symptom.

Striving to become a "better" version of myself.

If I'm honest, it was downright exhausting.

No matter how much I learned or how many healthy habits I adopted, there was always something else I felt I should be doing.

Can you relate?

Maybe you've found yourself thinking:

"If I could just be more disciplined..."

"If I could just stick with it..."

"If I could just lose these last few pounds..."

It's easy to believe that our worth is somehow tied to our performance.

But the more time I spent in Scripture, the more I realized that God wasn't inviting me to strive.

He was inviting me to steward.

That one word changed everything.

A steward doesn't own what has been entrusted to them.

A steward faithfully cares for something that belongs to someone else.

As followers of Christ, our bodies aren't ultimately ours.

They are gifts from God.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, we're reminded:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit... You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies."

Notice that Scripture doesn't tell us to create perfect bodies.

It tells us to honor God with the bodies we've been given.

That's a completely different perspective.

Striving says:

"I'll be happy when I reach my goal."

Stewardship says:

"I'll honor God today with the body I have."

Striving is fueled by pressure.

Stewardship is fueled by gratitude.

Striving is rooted in fear of not being enough.

Stewardship is rooted in knowing we are already loved by God.

Striving constantly asks, "What else should I be doing?"

Stewardship asks, "Lord, what would faithfulness look like today?"

Some days faithfulness might look like preparing a nourishing meal.

Other days it might mean resting because your body needs it.

It might mean taking a walk in the sunshine.

Getting to bed a little earlier.

Spending time in prayer before reaching for your phone.

Drinking more water.

Choosing peace over perfection.

None of those choices earn God's love.

They simply reflect our gratitude for the incredible gift He has entrusted to us.

I've also realized that stewardship brings freedom.

Freedom from comparison.

Freedom from guilt.

Because the goal is no longer perfection; the goal is faithfulness.

If you've been striving for years, perhaps today God is inviting you to lay that burden down.

You don't have to prove your worth.

Jesus already settled that at the cross.

Your value isn't determined by the number on the scale.

It's determined by the price He paid for you.

So instead of asking, "How can I have the perfect body?", try asking a different question.

"Lord, how can I faithfully care for the body You've entrusted to me today?"

I have a feeling that one question will change more than any diet ever could.

Because Biblical wellness isn't about striving.

It's about faithfully stewarding the gift God has given you—one grace-filled choice at a time.

What if this week, instead of striving for perfection, you simply chose one act of faithful stewardship each day?

I'd love to hear what that one step will be. Share it in the comments or send me a message. I would be honored to encourage you on your journey.