Originally published by The Round Farmhouse Ministries on August 13, 2026 as part of their “Living Whole” series.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works: my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14 ESV)

I decided years ago to take care of my body and invest in my future health. I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with my health, but taking care of myself as part of my lifestyle has had a lasting impact on me.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

It’s about getting to know yourself.

You learn when to push yourself and when to rest. You learn to wait, because change takes time. You learn what movement works for you. And those movements might be different in different seasons.

It’s about creating a different lifestyle.

A lifestyle that’s built around commitment, routine, investment, and your future. A lifestyle where you get up and move because you know you’ll feel better after. A lifestyle where you pay attention to the food you put into your body because the food gives you energy to get up and move.

And most importantly, it’s about motivation.

What’s your motivation? Do you want to look good now or create a lifestyle that keeps you healthy long-term? Are you trying to please someone else, or trying to be healthy to make yourself feel good? Are you trying to look like someone else? Comparison is a dangerous game, because every body is different: “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:26). Are you searching for quick fixes on social media, or are you investing in creating new daily routines?

Here’s my motivation for investing in my long-term physical health:

• So I can do my jobs.
• So I can carry things.
• So I can help others.
• So I can do things around the house.
• So I can age well.
• So I can feel good about myself.
• So I can be healthy.

When you are motivated to invest in your physical health, your whole mindset changes. You’re not focused on how you look now. You’re focused on how you’ll feel in the future.

It’s easy to compare ourselves to images we see on social media and either overwork ourselves or just give up. But remember this: God created each of us to be unique. This means our bodies are unique, and therefore not every movement or meal plan yields positive results for everyone. What are some things you’re currently doing to invest in your health? What is something new you want to try this week?