God’s Owner’s Manual for My Body

In Proverbs 3:1-2 I read, “Keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life for many years and bring you peace and prosperity." (NIV)

I would likely pay a lot of money for a pill that promised to add years to my life.  However, as a Christian, I already have the key to help me live a long, healthy life, and it’s free?

God has given me all the principles for health management in his Word, the Bible. The Bible is the owner’s manual for my body. As David says, “You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws” (Psalm 119:73 TLB). Deuteronomy 32:47 says, “These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land . . .” (NLT).

God, in effect, says, “If I do what he tells me to do with my health, I’m more likely to enjoy a long life.”

Proverbs teaches, “Keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life” (Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV).

What are some of those commands? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing” (Proverbs 3:5-10 NIV).

These verses highlight some factors that I probably don’t think about but that will keep me healthy: tranquility, integrity, humility, and generosity. These things will cause my health to be better—because my physical health is influenced by my spiritual health.

Let’s look again at the first part of that passage: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NIV).

Trusting in God is good for my health. When I trust him, my worry and stress decrease.

The Bible says in Proverbs 14:30, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (NIV). I can have all the right macrobiotics and organic food, but if my body is filled with resentment, worry, fear, lust, guilt, anger, bitterness, or any other emotional disease, it’s going to shorten my life.

When it comes to my spiritual and physical health, I have a choice: To go my own way or to trust God.

This week, I need to take care of my body in the ways I know I should: Eat well, exercise, and get enough rest. But remember that my physical and spiritual health are intertwined—so don’t neglect my spirit! Follow the principles of God’s Word so I can grow in trust, tranquility, integrity, humility, and generosity. 

In summary, as a Christian, I have the key to help me live a long, healthy life, and it’s free. 

God has given me all the principles for health management in his Word. The Bible is the owner’s manual for my body. As David says, “You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws”. Deuteronomy 32:47 says, “These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life”. If I do what he tells me to do with my health, I’m more likely to enjoy a long life. Proverbs teaches me to, “Keep your commands in my heart, for they will prolong my life. What are some of those commands? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”. These verses will cause my health to be better—because my physical health is influenced by my spiritual health. Trusting in God is good for my health. When I trust him, my worry and stress decrease. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones”. If my body is filled with resentment, worry, fear, lust, guilt, anger, bitterness, or any other emotional disease, it’s going to shorten my life. I have a choice: To go my own way or to trust God. This week, take care of my body in the ways I know I should. My physical and spiritual health are intertwined. I need to follow the principles of God’s Word so I can grow in trust, tranquility, integrity, humility, and generosity. 

So never forget the things God’s word teaches me. If I want a long and satisfying life, closely follow God’s instructions.