From the very beginning, God told us how important our bodies are. Genesis 1:27 reads, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

We were created in His image.

Since we have been endowed with something so important, we should take great care of our bodies.

Psalm 139:13-15 which says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.”

He knew us from the very beginning when we were being formed in the womb. He took great care from the very start in creating us.

Our bodies are important to Him.

They should be important to us.

Moving into the New Testament, probably the most well-known verse about our bodies is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”

Our bodies are declared “temples of the Holy Spirit,” emphasizing the importance of physical health and moral conduct.

The resurrection of Jesus underscores the ultimate significance of our physical bodies, as they will be transformed and glorified one day.

Romans 12:1 reads, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Our bodies don’t belong to us.

They are just on loan to us in this life. But what does it mean to be a “living sacrifice?” This means offering everything (desires, worries, dreams, plans, and our bodies) to God daily.

It is acknowledging His ways are better than our ways, and His thoughts span way beyond what we can understand, and that all we are belongs to Him.

From the overarching statements to the specific, God’s Word speaks in clarity:

1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” Our bodies are home to God’s spirit. What does this suggest about the way we care for our bodies and our health? These things are to be taken very seriously.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” What does this say about our diet? The things we put into our body matter. Everything we eat, drink, and do should have the glorification of God in mind.

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has already ordained the good things we will do. Caring for our bodies in carrying out those works is important.

God expects us to take care of our bodies. One day, He will ask us, “What did you do with all that I gave you?” He will want to know what kind of stewards we have been. This includes the body and health He’s given us.

How have we done?

He wants us to be nourished with healthy foods. He wants us to be active.

He wants us to set aside time for rest, and to be mindful of our overall physical, mental and spiritual health.

Recognizing the importance of caring for our whole being, mind, body, and spirit, Sanctuary Clinics has added a Health, Wellness & Weight Loss program, bringing medication, healthy diet and exercise together in chorus with therapeutic treatment for mental health and substance use.