Caring for the Temple: Seeking God First in Health and Wholeness
A Matthew 6:33 New Year Series
“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?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)
The start of a new year often brings renewed attention to health. Diets, exercise plans, and wellness goals fill conversations and calendars. For many, these intentions are sincere, yet they are frequently shaped by pressure, comparison, or guilt rather than peace. As believers, Scripture invites us to approach health differently—not as a pursuit of perfection, but as an act of stewardship.
This article continues our New Year series rooted in Jesus’ words from Matthew 6:33—“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Throughout this month, we are exploring how seeking God first shapes the most significant areas of daily life, helping us move beyond surface-level resolutions toward God-centered priorities that guide our decisions, habits, and growth throughout the year.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 call us to seek God first in every area of life, including how we care for our bodies and souls. When God holds first place, health becomes less about control and more about honoring Him with wisdom and balance.
Health as Stewardship, Not Obsession
The Bible affirms the value of the body without elevating it to an object of obsession. In writing to the church at Corinth—surrounded by cultural extremes of indulgence and neglect—Paul reminds believers that their bodies belong to God. This truth reframes health entirely. We do not pursue wellness to meet cultural standards, but to honor the One who dwells within us.
Scripture also offers a holistic vision of well-being. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2, NKJV). Written as a pastoral greeting, this verse connects physical health with spiritual condition. Wholeness is never merely physical; it is integrated—body, mind, and spirit working together under God’s care.
Seeking God First in Our Physical Habits
To seek God first in health begins with inviting Him into our daily habits. Instead of asking, “How can I change my body?” we begin by asking, “How can I honor God with my body?” This shift removes shame and replaces it with purpose.
Scripture teaches that wisdom and discipline are gifts from God. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV). Written to address everyday choices, this verse reminds believers that even ordinary actions can become acts of worship when guided by the right heart.
Health goals shaped by seeking God first may include consistency rather than intensity—choosing sustainable habits over extremes. They may involve listening to the body’s need for rest, nourishment, and movement without condemnation or comparison.
Rest Is Not Optional—It Is Obedience
One of the most overlooked aspects of health is rest. In a culture that glorifies busyness, rest is often viewed as weakness. Scripture presents a different view. Jesus invites the weary, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV). Spoken to those burdened by both work and religious expectation, this invitation reveals that rest is found not in escape, but in relationship with Christ.
Seeking God first means recognizing our limits. Rest is not a reward for productivity; it is a rhythm established by God. When we ignore rest, our health suffers—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Guarding the Heart and Mind
Health extends beyond the physical body to the inner life. Scripture urges, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV). Written as wisdom for daily living, this verse highlights the importance of guarding what influences our thoughts, emotions, and decisions.
Emotional health matters to God. Anxiety, unresolved stress, and constant comparison can quietly erode well-being. Seeking God first involves bringing these burdens to Him honestly—through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel. Peace becomes a form of health that no routine can produce on its own.
Setting Health Goals with Grace
When God is first, health goals are shaped by grace rather than pressure. They are realistic, prayerful, and flexible. They may include:
Establishing consistent sleep and rest patterns
Choosing nourishing foods with gratitude, not guilt
Incorporating movement as stewardship, not punishment
Creating space for spiritual renewal alongside physical care
These goals reflect trust in God’s design rather than striving for control. They acknowledge that growth is often gradual, and progress is measured in faithfulness, not perfection.
Trusting God with the Journey of Wholeness
Scripture assures us that God is faithful in the process of growth. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV). Written to encourage believers amid uncertainty, this promise reminds us that wholeness is a journey God oversees.
As this year continues, health may not improve overnight. Some days will feel stronger than others. Seeking God first allows us to trust Him with both the effort and the outcome—believing that He cares deeply about our well-being.
An Invitation to Reflect
As you consider your health goals this year, pause and invite God into them. Ask Him to guide your habits, your rest, and your inner life. When health is rooted in seeking God first, it becomes an expression of gratitude, trust, and worship.
For continued encouragement in aligning faith with everyday living, you are warmly invited to subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter.
Interactive Reflection: Seeking God First in Health
5-Minute Scripture Focus & Fill-In Exercise
Complete the Scripture below, then reflect briefly on the prompts that follow.
Fill in the Blanks
“But seek first the ________ of God and His ____________, and all these things shall be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
Word Bank: righteousness • kingdom • strength • wisdom
Quick Reflection
Which word in this verse challenges your current approach to health the most?
In one sentence, write what seeking God first could look like in your daily health habits (rest, nutrition, movement, or mindset):
Memory Challenge
Say Matthew 6:33 aloud once today before a meal, a workout, or bedtime.
Let it reframe your motivation from self-improvement to God-honoring stewardship.
Last week, I felt compelled to recommend The Purpose Driven Life once again because of how beautifully it aligns with this Matthew 6:33 series on seeking God first. I’ve read this book many times over the years, recommended it to countless friends, and still find its message timely, grounding, and deeply transformative. At its heart, Rick Warren reminds us that life is not about self-focus but God-focus—a truth that echoes throughout our recent reflections on health, stewardship, and wholeness.
This book gently but powerfully walks readers through God’s purposes for their lives, emphasizing worship, community, spiritual growth, service, and mission. Rather than offering quick fixes, it invites intentional, prayerful living rooted in Scripture. Much like our article on caring for the body as God’s temple, The Purpose Driven Life reframes everyday decisions—how we live, rest, and serve—as acts of devotion when God holds first place.
What makes this book a must-read is its clarity and compassion. It meets readers wherever they are and steadily points them back to God’s design with grace and hope. If you are seeking alignment, purpose, and a deeper walk with God in this season, I wholeheartedly encourage you to purchase The Purpose Driven Life and read it with fresh eyes. And for continued encouragement and faith-centered growth, be sure to subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging that our lives, our bodies, and our strength belong to You. Teach us to seek You first in every area, especially in how we care for ourselves, so that our choices flow from love, wisdom, and trust rather than pressure or fear. Draw us closer to You in prayer, helping us listen for Your voice and rest in Your presence as You shape us from the inside out. May our journey toward health and wholeness become an ongoing act of worship that deepens our relationship with You and reflects Your glory.