Reference

Biblical Health Glossary

Plain-language definitions of the faith and health terms used across the Blueprint — each one linked to the page that explains it in depth.

In one sentence

Biblical health is caring for the whole person — body, mind and spirit — as stewardship of a life that belongs to God, so you can love him and serve others for as long as you are given.

Blood sugar spikebody: A sharp rise in blood glucose after eating, especially after refined carbohydrates or sugar. A short walk after a meal and eating protein and vegetables first both help blunt it. The ten-minute walk after dinner →
Body systemsbody: The Blueprint's way of mapping the body into thirteen connected systems — from the brain and heart to the gut, hormones, bones and feet — each with its own threats, habits, foods and Scripture. The 13 body systems →
Burnoutbody: A state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged, unrelieved demand. In Scripture's terms it is often what happens when rest and Sabbath are neglected. Why Christians burn out →
Circadian rhythmbody: The body's roughly 24-hour internal clock, which times alertness, hormones and sleepiness. Morning daylight and a consistent wake time are its strongest anchors. Circadian rhythm & sunlight protocol →
Contentmentfaith: Settled trust in God regardless of circumstances. Paul describes having "learned the secret" of it in plenty and in need (Philippians 4:11–13). What Philippians 4:13 really means →
Cortisolbody: A hormone the body releases in response to stress. Useful in short bursts, it disrupts sleep, appetite and immunity when it stays high for long periods. Stress & recovery protocol →
Daniel Fastfaith: A partial fast, usually 21 days, of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and water, drawn from Daniel 1 and Daniel 10. Its purpose is prayer, not weight loss. The Daniel Fast guide →
Fastingfaith: Going without food, or certain foods, for a period in order to seek God — a spiritual discipline practised throughout Scripture, not a diet technique. What the Bible says about fasting →
Fruit of the Spiritfaith: The character the Holy Spirit grows in believers: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Self-control and appetite →
Gluttonyfaith: Appetite ruling the heart — eating that is driven, excessive or careless of God and others. It is about mastery, not body size. Is gluttony a sin? →
Gratitudefaith: Recognising and giving thanks for God's gifts. Scripture calls believers to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and research links gratitude with wellbeing and better sleep. Gratitude in the Bible →
Great Commissionfaith: Jesus' command to his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptising and teaching them (Matthew 28:19–20) — the purpose the Blueprint's health is ultimately for. Strength for the Great Commission →
Gut microbiomebody: The community of trillions of microbes living in the digestive tract, which influences digestion, immunity and more. Fibre and a variety of plant foods feed it. Gut & digestion →
Hydrationbody: Taking in enough water to support every system of the body. Mild dehydration commonly shows up as tiredness, headaches and poor concentration. Hydration protocol →
Imago Deifaith: Latin for "the image of God" — the teaching that every human being is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27), the ground of human worth regardless of appearance, health or ability. Fearfully and wonderfully made →
Inflammationbody: The immune system's response to injury or infection. Short-term it heals; long-term, low-grade inflammation is linked to many chronic diseases. Immune system →
Melatoninbody: The hormone that signals night-time to the body and helps bring on sleep. Bright light, especially from screens late in the evening, suppresses it. Sleep optimization protocol →
Morning lightbody: Outdoor daylight soon after waking, which sets the circadian clock and makes it easier to fall asleep that night. Ten minutes is a practical starting point. The ten-minute habit that fixes your sleep →
Protein firstbody: Building each meal around a source of protein before adding the rest. It helps fullness and steadier energy, and is a simple guard against over-eating. Protein First →
Sabbathfaith: One day in seven set apart for rest and worship, given at creation and in the Ten Commandments. Jesus said it "was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). Bible verses about rest →
Sarcopeniabody: The gradual loss of muscle mass and strength with age. Strength training and enough protein are the most effective ways to slow it. Muscles & strength →
Self-care (biblical)faith: Caring for your body and soul as stewardship of a life that belongs to God, so you can keep loving and serving — distinct from self-indulgence. Is self-care biblical? →
Shalomfaith: The Hebrew word usually translated "peace" — not just the absence of conflict, but wholeness and wellbeing in every part of life, given by God. Bible verses about anxiety →
Sleep hygienebody: The habits and environment that support good sleep: a consistent schedule, a dark, cool bedroom, less caffeine and screen light at night, and a wind-down routine. What the Bible says about sleep →
Spiritual disciplinesfaith: Habits such as prayer, Scripture reading, fasting, Sabbath and worship through which believers make room for God to shape them. A Christian morning routine →
Stewardship of the bodyfaith: Caring for your body as something entrusted to you by God rather than owned by you (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) — the foundation of the whole Blueprint. Is your body really a temple? →
Strength trainingbody: Exercise that works muscles against resistance — weights, bands or bodyweight. Guidelines recommend it on two or more days a week alongside aerobic activity. Movement & training protocol →
Stress responsebody: The body's "fight or flight" reaction — faster heart rate, quick breathing, tense muscles — that helps in emergencies but exhausts the body when it runs for weeks. What anxiety does to the body →
Temple of the Holy Spiritfaith: Paul's description of the believer's body in 1 Corinthians 6:19. In context it concerns sexual ethics, but its reasoning — the body belongs to God — underlies care for health. What 1 Corinthians 6:19 actually says →
Ultra-processed foodbody: Industrial food products made largely from refined ingredients and additives, typically engineered to be easy to over-eat. Eating fewer of them is one of the simplest nutrition upgrades. Nutrition & fueling protocol →

Common questions

What is biblical health?

Biblical health is caring for the whole person — body, mind and spirit — as stewardship of a life that belongs to God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), so that you can love God and serve others. It values rest, good food, movement and wise medical care, while never making the body an idol or treating health as proof of faith.

What does stewardship of the body mean?

It means treating your body as something entrusted to you by God rather than something you own, and caring for it accordingly — through sleep, food, movement, rest and medical care — for the sake of the life and service God has given you.

Looking for something that is not here? Try the full list of answered questions or the complete guide to what the Bible says about health.