God has given you the gift of your body, and it comes with an owner’s manual: the Bible. In it are all the instructions you need to take care of yourself and live a long life.

You already know the basics: proper nutrition, exercise, a good night’s rest. Here’s a health factor you may not have thought of for living long and well:

Trusting God is good for your health.

The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NIV). Why is trusting in God good for your health? Because when you trust him, you don’t worry.

Psalm 116:7 says, “I said to myself, ‘Relax, because the Lord takes care of you’” (NCV). If you really trust in God, you’re going to be less stressed.

The Bible also says in Proverbs 14:30, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (NIV). It’s not just what you eat that matters; it’s what eats you. You can have all the right macrobiotics and organic food, but if your body is filled with resentment, worry, fear, lust, guilt, anger, bitterness, or any other emotional disease, it’s going to shorten your life.

But the good news is this: When we replace our worry with greater trust in God, we take a major step toward living a healthier life!