In the Renewed Man program, we approach recovery as more than behavior change—we see it as a multi-faceted journey of healing and transformation. One of the 12 keys we focus on is Nurturing our Physical Health and Well-being as part of this journey. What follows is an adapted teaching from this week’s material.

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“Mind and body are not separate systems. What affects one affects the other in sometimes unexpected ways.”
— Gabor Maté

We tend to compartmentalize our lives—physical health over here, emotional health over there, and spiritual health somewhere else altogether. But the more we learn, the more obvious it becomes: these things are deeply connected. What affects one inevitably ripples through the others.

It’s not just that poor physical health makes it harder to concentrate in prayer, or that anxiety might lead to unhealthy eating habits. The truth is much deeper than that.

Our bodies, minds, and souls are not separate operating systems. They’re interwoven. What happens in our bodies impacts our emotional world. What we carry emotionally shapes our physical health. And all of this is profoundly affected by our spiritual life—our sense of meaning, our connection to God, and how we see ourselves in the world.

Recent studies affirm this. Research in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that regular exercise not only improves cardiovascular health, but can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, boosting overall mood and self-esteem. And the Journal of Religion and Health reports that spiritual practices—things like prayer, meditation, and gratitude—are correlated with improved emotional resilience and overall well-being.

This is not surprising when we consider what Scripture teaches. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. “You are not your own,” he writes. “You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” That’s not just a moral command—it’s an invitation to live with deeper reverence and self-awareness. When we care for our bodies, we’re not just maintaining a machine. We’re honoring something sacred.

Dr. Gabor Maté, a physician and author who has spent years working with people suffering from chronic illness and trauma, makes a compelling case in his many books and articles: our physical health cannot be separated from our emotional and relational lives. He points out that “people’s lifetime emotional experiences profoundly influence health and illness”—and that this includes things like family history, cultural context, even social class and race.

I agree with him. But I’d go one step further.

Mate says, along with many others, that we are “biopsychosocial creatures.” True enough. But we are also spiritual beings. And when our spiritual health is neglected—when we’re living without purpose, isolated from God, or disconnected from our deepest values—it takes a toll. Not just in some abstract, “soul-ish” way. But in our blood pressure. In our sleep patterns. In our immune systems.

Think about that. When we deny or suppress what we’re feeling—when we pretend everything’s fine while carrying deep emotional pain—our bodies "keep the score." When we lose touch with our Creator, or try to numb our spiritual hunger with noise and distraction, our whole being feels the ache.

So here’s the invitation: pay attention to your spiritual life—not just for the sake of eternity, but for the sake of your whole being in this life too! When you nourish your soul, your body benefits too. When you live with patterns of forgiveness, gratitude, and peace, it changes the chemistry of your brain and the tension in your chest.

God designed us to live integrated lives—where the health of our bodies and the life of our souls are deeply connected. So take care of your body. But don’t stop there. Tend to your soul.