What if prioritizing your health and wellness was not just a personal choice, but a radical act of worship and service to God?

As Christian women, we have a God-given purpose, and a mission that we are called to pursue with clarity and passion. However, the road to fulfilling our purpose and living out our calling can at times be hindered by physical and emotional burdens due to stress, immune challenges, fatigue, weight and our body image.

Can you relate? Perhaps you don’t have the energy to do the things you feel God may be calling you to do. May be your family is getting your leftovers. You wish you could show up more for others, but you simply don’t have the physical, mental or emotional capacity, because you are always so tired!

Or may be for you it’s not that you’re always tired, but the actual thought of putting yourself out there in front of people, getting caught in a photo… it’s simply humiliating (to you). You’re embarrassed about your clothes not fitting, and the number on the scale has officially soared to new heights. Summer is coming, and suddenly the introvert life never looked better! (Since there is absolutely NO WAY your body feels “summer ready”!)

But my friend, you are not called to be an island! I may add though, that if God ever calls me “to” island living… that is another story, and would be completely ok. Yes, Lord! Here am I, send me… to the islands! (just kidding… but seriously.)

While there may be room for improvements in your health, the problem today isn’t actually (just) your body. The problem is that instead of thinking of others and being fully present, there is this space in your head that is being consumed with negative thoughts about your body, how you feel, and what others may think.

Your thoughts are holding you back.

This doesn’t mean “Love your body just the way it is and celebrate the roundness!” Although, that is a common theme on social media.

“Big is beautiful.”

“Treat yo self!”

“All you need is coffee and Jesus.”

“Tired like a mother.”

“Sleep when you’re dead!”

Right?

Yeah… No.

Instead, these thoughts are actually the main reason why it’s so important to prioritize your health and well-being. It’s time to remove those health obstacles (by doing something about it!) and free up the mental and emotional space.

When we neglect our health and wellness, we’re not only doing ourselves a disservice, but we’re also limiting our ability to serve God and others with excellence. We find ourselves feeling tired, sluggish, and unmotivated, struggling to find the energy and focus we need to do “all the things”. We may also be more susceptible to anxiety, stress, and other emotional challenges that can cloud our vision, sabotage our thought life, and hinder our progress in our “kingdom goals”.

On the other hand, when we prioritize our health and wellness, we open up new possibilities for ourselves. We have more energy, more focus, and more passion to pursue the things that matter most! And we can serve God and others with excellence, using our gifts and talents to make a positive impact in the world for HIS kingdom.

So if you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or hindered by physical or emotional burdens, I encourage you to take a step back and evaluate your health and wellness habits. Are you nourishing your body with real, whole, healthy foods? Are you getting enough rest and exercise, and practicing self-care and stress management techniques? Are you addressing any emotional challenges or limiting beliefs that may be holding you back? Are you taking ALL of this to the Lord for HIM to guide you and lead you through these obstacles?

Whatever you can’t stop thinking about, it’s time to do something about it so it’s no longer and obstacle in your life.

Remember, a healthy Christian woman is free to pursue her God-given purpose with clarity and passion – It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. That’s a straight up lie to keep you stuck. It’s stewardship. It’s necessary. Being free to “get over yourself” by addressing these obstacle can be and act of radical worship. Shift your thoughts from, “I can’t make my health a priority”, to “Because God is my priority, I will worship HIM by being a good steward of my health so I can give HIM my all in whatever He calls me to do.”

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 8:36