Stewarding Your Health as a Spiritual Discipline

How three staff members discovered that honoring their bodies was an act of faith

What if your next workout, healthy meal, or early bedtime wasn’t just about your body—but your soul?

Stewarding our health is more than a wellness goal—it’s a spiritual discipline.

It’s an act of obedience and worship. When you live it out faithfully, it deepens your relationship with God and becomes a witness to others.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NKJV)

That truth came to life in a recent chapel where Amy, Laura, and Dean—three of our own team members—shared how their personal health journeys revealed deeper spiritual purpose. Their stories show us that stewarding the body is a sacred act of trusting God, not trying harder.

One Step at a Time: Amy’s Story

Amy didn’t start her fitness journey to earn medals or conquer marathons. She simply wanted to take a faithful next step.

“I started walking one block and then running one block. And that was the end of my exercise day when I first started, because prior to that, a little exaggeration, but I was lifting a TV remote, so that’s how I started,” Amy shared.

It wasn’t about performance—it was about obedience. Now, years later, Amy has run 51 marathons in 48 states. But she hasn’t forgotten where it started—or who sustained her.

Amy continued, “I’m at the Sleeping Bear sand dunes in northern Michigan. It’s a beautiful view. If you didn’t geographically know where you were, you would think it was an ocean because of the beautiful blue that it is. I’m thinking, God created this beautiful view that I have, and I’m, I’m talking to Him; and He’s like, ‘You’re going to run a marathon.” And I’m like, ‘Well, I’m walking one block and running one block. No way. I can’t do that. But the point was, God’s like, ‘Trust me; learn who I am.’ In Him I know that I can do it because I rely on Him and His strength.”

Her journey hasn’t been without obstacles—from a diagnosis of high blood pressure in her 20s to recent concerns about heart health—but each challenge became another opportunity to trust God with her body.

Amy said, “I felt like God said, ‘Keep doing the last thing I told you.’ So I ran a marathon while waiting for test results. In the end, He gave me peace—and I’m fine.”

Lifting by Faith: Laura’s Journey

Laura never set out to become a powerlifter. She simply needed a goal—and God used that goal to grow her grit, her faith, and her community.

“I just needed an end goal. I needed something to work towards. I signed up for [a powerlifting competition]. The process was scary. Competition was fun because I’m not trying to qualify for anything like nationals but the journey was incredible. I’m sore and tired most days, but God has given me the grit to do it,” Laura offered.

Let your physical journey mirrored her spiritual one.

“There were days I stood at the bar, nearly in tears. I was intimidated by others,” she admitted. “But I would go outside and pray: ‘God, help me.’ He reminded me—I have the God of the universe on my side. That changes everything.”

Laura also shared how her vulnerability led to connection. She started speaking openly about her struggles and victories at the gym—and her faith became contagious.

“I used to just put my earbuds in, stay in my zone. But God nudged me—‘Maybe you should talk to people.’ So I started sharing, praying at the gym, and being more bold. Now I have a community of ladies cheering me on” Laura smiled.

Healthy Habits, Holy Impact: Dean’s Legacy

For Dean, the turning point came through grief. After his father passed away, he began rethinking his lifestyle—and his legacy.

“That’s when I realized we had to do something. My wife and I started encouraging each other. It wasn’t about doing it all at once—it was one meal at a time, one choice at a time.”

Dean said.

Stewardship ripples into the lives of others.

Dean  continued, “I used what I learned to help my wife with her health. And now my youngest daughter has started riding her bike more. We go for rides together—it’s become something our family does.”

The changes were small, intentional steps made over time. But they’ve added up to a transformed lifestyle—and a healthier legacy.

Faithfulness Over Fitness Goals

Health isn’t just about appearance or energy. For each of these stories, it’s about trust. It’s about daily surrender. And it’s about honoring the body God created for His glory.

“This started as a way to be healthy. But it became about learning who I was in Christ—and letting Him do what I couldn’t do in my own strength.”

— Amy

“I used to care about what I looked like. Now, I just want to be strong, healthy, and faithful—because God has called me to this, and I don’t want to need help doing simple things 30 years from now.”

— Laura

You don’t have to run a marathon or deadlift your bodyweight. You don’t need perfect health to live a faithful life. You just need to start—and invite God into the process.

“Start small. Walk a block. Add a veggie. Find someone to walk with you. Don’t try to do it all in one day. Just start.”

— Dean

Because when you steward your body as an act of worship, your health becomes a living testimony of God’s faithfulness.

• Reflection Questions:
  What small change could you make today to better steward your health?
• How has God met you in your physical or emotional limitations?
• Who could you invite into your journey for encouragement and accountability?

These stories were shared during one of our weekly Intentional Life Media staff chapels—a time we set aside to encourage one another and grow together in our walk with Christ. Along with a weekly time of prayer, these gatherings are part of how we live intentionally in Christ, linking arms as a team to support each other on the journey. Because we believe a thriving faith community begins with walking it out together.

Give your story for kingdom purposes. When you sow into the lives of others, your story acn help them grow in their faith and point them to Jesus. Go to: https://www.myflr.org/story