Caring for your health is a good thing. God created your body with incredible wisdom and intention, and we have a responsibility to care for what He has entrusted to us. But what happens when caring for our health slowly becomes something we put our faith in?
When we start believing that the right foods, supplements, protocols, or routines will finally give us the health, peace, or control we’re looking for, it’s worth taking a step back and asking where we’re placing our trust.
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, not projects we need to perfect. We can take our health seriously while remembering that God, not our routines, is our source of wisdom, peace, and hope.
More water. More protein. More steps. Better sleep. A morning routine, an evening routine, supplements to take, foods to avoid, labs to track, and another protocol to try.
There is always something else we could be doing.
And if you’re a mom, you might feel like you’re already behind before your day even begins. You’re trying to care for your own health while caring for your children, managing a home, and showing up for the people you love. You want to do what’s best for your family, but you also want to feel like yourself again.
Somewhere along the way, you might begin to wonder, Am I doing enough? Am I missing something? What else do I need to do to feel better?
I understand the desire to keep searching for answers. As someone trained as a physician assistant who went on to study functional medicine, I know how much there is to learn about the body. And I believe there is so much value in understanding how our bodies work and supporting them the way God designed them.
But I’ve also come to recognize how easily the pursuit of better health can turn into a pursuit of control.
We can spend so much time trying to figure out what our bodies need that we lose sight of the One who created them in the first place.
I want to talk about this because I believe there’s a difference between being a good steward of your health and placing your hope in your health. And for those of us who love Jesus, that distinction matters.
A Good Thing Can Become the Thing We Put First
Caring for your body isn’t wrong. Eating nourishing foods, moving your body, getting enough rest, and seeking answers when something doesn’t feel right can all be ways of honoring God.
The problem isn’t necessarily what we’re doing. Sometimes, it’s what we’ve started to believe those things will do for us.
Are we making healthy choices because we want to care for the body God has entrusted to us? Or are we becoming afraid of what might happen if we don’t get everything right?
Are we using functional medicine tools to help us better understand our bodies? Or have we started placing more faith in our labs, supplements, and protocols than in God?
These are important questions, especially when we’re dealing with ongoing symptoms and desperately want to feel better.
When you’re exhausted despite getting enough sleep, struggling with your hormones, or being told your labs are normal when you know something doesn’t feel right, it’s understandable to keep searching for answers. I believe women deserve to be heard, and I believe there’s value in looking deeper.
But we have to be careful that our search for answers doesn’t become the place where we put all our hope.
For me, the difference between stewardship and idolatry begins with bringing our decisions before God.
Stewardship means asking Him for wisdom and considering how we can care for our bodies in a way that aligns with His design. It means being willing to use the resources He’s made available to us while remembering that those resources are tools, not our source of hope.
Idolatry begins when we place our trust in those tools instead of God. When we believe that if we find the right practitioner, follow the perfect protocol, take all the right supplements, or optimize every aspect of our health, we’ll finally have control over the outcome.
But we were never promised control over every outcome.
Scripture reminds us:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” — Matthew 6:33–34 (NLT)
God doesn’t ask us to figure everything out before we can trust Him. He invites us to seek Him first, even when we don’t have all the answers.
Our health habits have a place. Functional medicine has a place. Food, movement, supplements, and even advanced testing can have a place.
But none of them belongs in the place reserved for God.
When Healthy Eating Becomes an Obsession
One area where this can become especially difficult is food.
We learn about the importance of eating whole foods, reducing our exposure to certain chemicals, supporting our gut health, and choosing foods that nourish our bodies. These things can be helpful. But sometimes, the pursuit of healthy eating becomes so consuming that food begins to take up more mental and emotional space than it should.
We start dividing foods into good and bad. We feel guilty when we eat something outside our usual routine. We become anxious about eating at restaurants or accepting food from someone else. We may even judge ourselves or others based on what’s on our plates.
Without realizing it, we can begin to attach our sense of worth to how well we follow our food rules.
This is something worth paying attention to.
I’m not sharing this to make you question every healthy choice you make or to encourage you to label yourself. I’m sharing it because caring for your health should not come at the expense of your peace, relationships, or ability to enjoy life.
If food rules are consuming your thoughts, affecting your relationships, or interfering with your well-being, consider reaching out to a qualified healthcare professional, licensed therapist, or registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders.
You don’t have to navigate that alone.
And I want you to remember something: Your worth is not determined by what you eat.
You are loved by God whether you’re preparing a nourishing meal from scratch or feeding your toddler chicken nuggets because that’s what you have the capacity for today.
You don’t earn God’s approval by eating perfectly. And you don’t lose His love when you fall short of your own expectations.
We can make thoughtful choices about what we eat without allowing those choices to define us.
What Does It Profit a Man to Gain the Whole World?
There’s a verse in Scripture that has made me think about the things we pursue and the things we can unintentionally sacrifice along the way.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” — Mark 8:36 (NLT)
Jesus was speaking to His disciples about what it means to follow Him, to deny themselves, and to take up their cross. He was addressing something far deeper than health habits. He was talking about what we ultimately live for.
But I think it’s worth considering how this applies to our pursuit of wellness.
What good is it to find the perfect protocol if we’re losing our peace in the process?
What does it matter if we have the best supplements, the most detailed morning routine, or the healthiest meals if we’re so consumed with getting everything right that we struggle to be present with our children, our husbands, or the people God has placed in our lives?
What are we sacrificing in the pursuit of feeling better?
These aren’t questions meant to discourage us from caring for our health. They’re questions that invite us to examine our priorities.
I’ve been reminded that I can spend so much time thinking about what I need to accomplish, what I need to figure out, and what I need to do next that I forget to slow down and bring it all before God.
It’s easy to get caught up in doing more, learning more, and trying harder, especially when we’re passionate about something. But sometimes, the most important thing we can do is pause and ask God to show us what actually matters in this season.
Not everything that could be done needs to be done right now.
And not every unanswered question requires us to immediately find another solution.
Sometimes we need to keep seeking answers. Sometimes we need to take action. And sometimes we need to surrender what we cannot control and trust God with the outcome.
Discernment is learning to recognize the difference.
Your Body Is a Temple, Not a Project
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NLT)
I love this reminder because it brings us back to the heart of stewardship.
Your body is not something you have to perfect to become worthy, healthy enough, or acceptable to God. It is something He has entrusted to you.
And as someone who has spent years studying anatomy, physiology, and functional medicine, I continue to be in awe of the intricate ways God designed the human body. There is so much happening beneath the surface that we don’t even have the ability to fully understand.
We can study hormones, digestion, the nervous system, and the many interconnected processes that keep us alive. We can learn more about what influences our health and how to support our bodies.
But the more we learn, the more we recognize how much we don’t know.
That understanding should lead us to humility, not the belief that we can control every aspect of our health if we just learn enough.
I believe God can work through the knowledge, tools, and resources available to us. I believe there is value in seeking answers and addressing the underlying factors contributing to our symptoms. And I believe we can do those things while remaining dependent on Him.
For me, that is the foundation of faith-based functional medicine.
God is the source of my wisdom. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. My faith is not in a protocol, a supplement, or a particular approach to healthcare. Those things can support the work we do, but they are not where my hope rests.
Paul offers another important reminder in 1 Timothy 4:8:
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (NLT)
Physical training has value. Caring for our health has value. But our physical well-being isn’t the only thing that matters, and it isn’t the ultimate goal of our lives.
We’re not just bodies that need to function better. We’re whole people created by God, with minds, hearts, souls, and a purpose that extends beyond this life.
I want to care for my body in a way that honors Him while keeping my eyes on what matters most.
What Does a Grace-Filled Approach to Health Look Like?
Sometimes, I think we need to simplify things.
Not because healthy habits don’t matter, but because we can make caring for ourselves so complicated that it becomes another source of stress.
There will always be another supplement to consider, another lab to run, another diet to try, or another health trend promising better results. And while some of those things may be helpful in the right circumstances, we don’t have to pursue every possibility.
We can start by asking God for wisdom about what is actually needed in this season.
For me, that means returning to simple habits that support my health without making them the center of my life.
Nourishing My Body Without Obsessing Over Every Detail
I try to include protein with my meals and choose foods that nourish my body. But I don’t need to measure every gram or make every meal perfect.
I can be intentional about what I eat while leaving room for flexibility and real life.
Spending Time With God Before Getting Lost in the Day
I want my first thoughts to be directed toward God rather than immediately reaching for my phone and filling my mind with everything I need to do.
Starting my day with prayer helps me remember where my focus belongs, even when the day ahead feels full.
Moving My Body in Ways I Enjoy
For me, that might mean a power walk, a swim, or getting on my Tonal for some strength training.
I don’t need every workout to be perfectly structured or every week to look the same. I want movement to support my health and help me feel good in my body, not become another measure of whether I’ve done enough.
Allowing Room for Rest and the Unexpected
This is especially important in motherhood.
Some days, things go according to plan. Other days, my daughter needs more of me, work takes longer than expected, or I simply don’t have the energy I thought I would.
I’m learning that I don’t have to force everything to happen just because it was on my list.
I can make wise choices, do what I can, and trust God with what remains.
That doesn’t mean neglecting our responsibilities or using faith as a reason not to take action. It means recognizing that we have limits, and those limits aren’t something we need to fight against every day.
We are human. We need rest. We need connection. We need time with God.
And we need the freedom to live our lives without constantly measuring whether we’re doing enough.
If your health feels like a never-ending list of things to fix, perhaps it’s worth taking a step back. Consider what is genuinely supporting your well-being and what may be creating more anxiety than peace.
You don’t have to do everything at once. You can take one step at a time, seek wise counsel, and allow yourself to move at a pace that is sustainable for your life.
Steward Your Body, but Put Your Hope in God
Friend, you can care deeply about your health without making it your source of security.
You can enjoy learning about the human body, invest in your well-being, and seek answers when something doesn’t feel right. You can use the resources available to you while remembering that no practitioner, protocol, or supplement can promise complete control over your health or your future.
And when you don’t have the answers, you can bring that uncertainty to God.
He sees the bigger picture, even when you cannot. He knows what you need, even when you’re still trying to figure it out.
Your responsibility is to be a good steward of what He’s entrusted to you, not to carry the weight of controlling every outcome.
Jesus invites us:
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
If your pursuit of health has left you feeling exhausted, anxious, or overwhelmed by everything you believe you should be doing, take a moment to pause.
Bring it to God. Ask Him for wisdom. Be honest about where you may be placing your trust. And give yourself permission to let go of what He hasn’t asked you to carry.
You don’t have to earn His love through a perfect routine.
You don’t have to have every answer to take the next step.
And you don’t have to sacrifice your peace in the pursuit of better health.
Let your health habits be an expression of gratitude for the body God has given you, not an attempt to take control of what belongs to Him.
A Prayer for Stewardship and Surrender
Lord, thank You for creating my body with such wisdom and intention. Thank You for the knowledge and resources You’ve made available to help me care for it.
Please show me where I may have placed too much of my trust in my routines, my knowledge, or my desire to control the outcome. Give me discernment to recognize what is helpful, wisdom to know what is needed, and humility to acknowledge what I cannot control.
Help me care for my body with gratitude rather than fear. Teach me to seek You first, to listen for Your guidance, and to trust You even when I don’t have all the answers.
May my choices reflect a heart that wants to honor You, and may my pursuit of health never take the place of my relationship with You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
If You’re Looking for Support on Your Health Journey
If you’re a woman who hasn’t felt like herself, is struggling with ongoing symptoms, or wants to understand her health from a root-cause perspective while keeping her faith at the center, I’d love to connect with you.
My approach to functional medicine is rooted in the belief that our bodies are wonderfully designed and that caring for our health can be an act of stewardship. Together, we can explore your health concerns, consider the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms, and identify thoughtful next steps without losing sight of the bigger picture.
A free Connection Call is a 30-minute video call where we can talk about where you are and whether working together is a good fit.
You can also learn more about working with me.
If you’d like to learn more about hormones and the intricate design of the female body, my upcoming book, Estrogen By Design, explores estrogen through God’s design, functional medicine, and faith. Join the waitlist, and I’ll send you a free devotional as a thank-you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a sin to care about your health?
No. Caring for your body can be an expression of gratitude and stewardship. The concern arises when health becomes the primary place we seek our identity, security, or hope instead of God. We can make thoughtful choices about our health while remembering that our ultimate trust belongs to Him.
How do I know if health has become an idol?
Consider whether your health routines are beginning to control your life. Do you feel anxious or guilty when you miss a workout or eat something outside your usual routine? Do you struggle to enjoy life because you’re constantly thinking about what you should be doing for your health? Have your protocols begun to take priority over prayer, rest, or time with the people you love? These questions aren’t meant to bring shame. They’re an invitation to pause, pray, and examine where your trust is resting.
Is biohacking wrong for Christians?
Not necessarily. Tools that help us understand sleep, movement, or other aspects of our health can be useful. What matters is how we use them and where we place our trust. Are we using these tools as resources to support our health, or are we relying on them to give us a sense of control over our bodies and our future? We can use what is helpful without allowing it to take the place of God.
What does Mark 8:36 mean in relation to health?
In Mark 8:36, Jesus asks what it profits someone to gain the whole world but lose their soul. In context, He is speaking about the cost of following Him and the importance of what we ultimately live for. In the context of wellness, this verse invites us to consider whether our pursuit of health is helping us live faithfully or consuming time, attention, and energy that belong elsewhere. Our health matters, but it should never take the place of our relationship with God.
What does it mean that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?
In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Paul reminds believers that their bodies belong to God and are temples of the Holy Spirit. Caring for our bodies is one way we can honor Him. This doesn’t mean we must achieve perfect health or that illness reflects a failure of faith. It means approaching our bodies with gratitude, wisdom, and a desire to steward what God has entrusted to us.
What does a grace-filled Christian approach to wellness look like?
For me, it means seeking God first and allowing Him to guide the way I care for my health. It includes simple, sustainable habits like nourishing my body, moving regularly, resting, and making time for prayer. It also means recognizing my limits, allowing room for motherhood and everyday life, and remembering that I don’t have to do everything perfectly. The goal isn’t to control every outcome. It’s to be faithful with what I’ve been given and trust God with the rest.
This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical or mental health advice and does not replace care from your own healthcare professional or therapist.
