7 Ways to Build Healthy Habits That Honor God

Food is a gift from God, and how you treat your body through what you eat is a way to worship God. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, the Bible says: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” That includes being mindful about what you put into your body. In the fallen world, too many people eat for comfort or entertainment rather than nourishment.

Emotional eating, mindless snacking, or relying on processed foods can drain your energy and make you sick. But when you change your perspective to see food as fuel – something that helps you serve and glorify God – you’ll be motivated to change how you eat, as well. As much as possible, choose foods that are in their natural form, or close to it. Drink plenty of water, as well, since that’s an important part of fueling your body. Enjoy the creative variety of nutritious foods God designed for you, like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Savor your food by eating mindfully. Pay attention to how different foods make you feel. Learn to recognize the difference between true hunger and emotional cravings. It can also be helpful to pray before meals, not just to give thanks but to ask for wisdom on how to eat well. Ask God to help you eat in ways that are healthy for you, and thank God for providing delicious and nutritious food you can enjoy every day. 

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God designed your body to move on a regular basis. You can honor your Creator by exercising regularly. Proverbs 31:17 describes a woman who is healthy and strong to do her work well: “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”

Moving your body is a healthy habit that helps you be strong, so you can do all the work God calls you to do. Find ways to incorporate exercise into your daily schedule consistently and in ways you enjoy. If you dread your workouts, you’re less likely to stick with them. Instead, find forms of movement that are fun for you, such as walking with a friend, playing a sport, taking a dance class, swimming, or biking. The more you enjoy exercising, the more you’ll be motivated to move. Exercising strengthens both your mental health as well as your physical health.

As you move, you’ll get more physical energy, but also a clearer mind. Exercise can become a time of worship when you use the time to pray, listen to worship music, or reflect on Bible verses. Celebrate what your body can do as you exercise, and express your gratitude to God for how he designed your body well. Keeping your body strong through movement regularly will help you stay prepared to serve God in whatever ways he calls you to do so. 

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Don’t feel guilty about resting, even in this culture that promotes doing as much as you can and not resting very much. God himself rested after creation (Genesis 2:3), Jesus modeled the well-being benefits of rest, and God calls you to rest well on a regular basis. So, don’t neglect your need for rest. Make sure that you get enough sleep – at least 7 or 8 hours every night. Sleep is important for your spiritual health as well as your physical health.

When you don’t get enough rest, you’re more likely to become irritable, anxious, and spiritually disconnected than you are when you rest well. Develop a healthy sleep routine by setting a consistent bedtime, avoiding screens at least one hour before bed, and creating a bedtime routine that helps you relax and connect with God. Try to take a day of Sabbath rest every week, as well. Taking one day a week to step back from work, other responsibilities, and screens allows you to refocus on what matters most and honor God in the process.

The Sabbath day reminds you that you aren’t defined by what you produce, but by your identity as one of God’s beloved children. God loves you completely and unconditionally. You can rest in that assurance! Besides physical breaks to rest, you also need mental and emotional breaks. Include time in your daily schedule simply to be still and focus on God’s love for you. If you’re too busy, cut out activities that drain your energy, as much as possible. Make space in your schedule for quiet times and for fun and creative activities that energize you.

Resting well shows God that you trust him with your time, and that you’re basing your identity on your relationship with him, instead of on your accomplishments.

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Creation reveals the Creator’s wondrous power. As Psalm 19:1 says: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” You can’t help but be inspired with awe when you spend time in nature. Time outdoors can renew your mind and refresh your spirit. It also honors God by showing him that you’re spending time in the natural environment he designed for you to enjoy. As you enjoy a walk in a park, watch a sunset, or listen to birds singing, you’ll naturally feel closer to God, who made it all.

So, enjoy nature adventures whenever you can. In nature, you can learn to trust God in deeper ways by seeing how trust is built into the natural world. Animals migrate according to natural instincts, flowers bloom on time without stress, the sun rises and sets reliably each day, etc. You can count on fresh inspiration every single time you go outside to enjoy nature. Pay attention to the ways God inspires you outdoors, and thank God for how he gives you peace and perspective there. 

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Words have tremendous power. Proverbs 18:21 reveals: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” What you say and write affects your health and relationships a lot. It’s important to choose words that are positive and honor God by bringing light into this dark world. Start with how you speak to yourself. Pay attention to any negative self-talk that runs through your mind, such as “I’m not good enough” or “God can’t use me.” Replace your negative and untrue thoughts with positive and true thoughts that reflect what God tells you in the Bible. Speak truth over yourself in different ways, such as by saying: “I’m fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) and “God will continue to work in my life” (Philippians 1:6).

It’s also vital to consider how your words affect other people. Are you choosing kindness when you talk with the people you know, and when you post online? Are you quick to complain or criticize, or are you regularly working to encourage people? Do your best to use your words carefully – in ways that honor God and the people God calls you to love – day by day. Through your conversations, texts, emails, and online posts, speak and write in ways that you believe God would be glad to see. Resist choosing negative words whenever possible. Hold back from gossip, judgment, or angry outbursts. Ask God to help you speak and write wisely, in ways that reflect his love and truth.

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Building healthy habits that honor God also involves living with purpose and serving people in need, since God has called you to do the important work of spreading love. Ephesians 2:10 points out: “For you are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Living with purpose and serving others means using your time, talents, and other resources for the good works God wants you to do. Ask God to show you how he wants you to use what he’s given you. That might involve volunteering at church or at another organization in your community, mentoring someone younger than you, or helping a friend who’s going through a crisis.

You don’t have to serve in ways that feel stressful for you. Even small acts of love can make a big positive difference in people’s lives. The more you choose to live with purpose and serve others, the more you can experience the healthy life that God designed you to live. When you give to others as God leads you, you’ll receive blessings from God in return, like joy and a stronger faith.

In conclusion, building healthy habits is an important way to honor your loving God, who gave you life. The process of incorporating all these healthy habits into your daily life may sometimes be challenging. But the effort is worth it.  As you practice your new healthy habits, you’ll find that your body, mind, and spirit will all become stronger – and God will be pleased to see you thriving!

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