The Body Teaches the Soul: Ten Essential Habits to Form a Healthy and Holy Life

by Justin Whitmel Earley

Your body is more spiritual than you think.

How can we preach a gospel of peace, yet still find our bodies wracked by anxiety? How do we call our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit, yet regard eating, exercise, or sleep as inherently "unspiritual" activities? How is it that modern Christians who claim God made their bodies have come to care so little about them?

Justin Whitmel Earley—bestselling author of The Common Rule and Habits of the Household—is intimately familiar with the consequences of ignoring the body. As a young lawyer, Earley collapsed into anxiety and insomnia that nearly ruined his life. In his journey back to mental and spiritual health, he realized that the healthy and unhealthy habits shaping his life weren't physical or spiritual; they were physical and spiritual.

The Body Teaches the Soul is a practical guide to the union of body and spirit in our overall health. With his characteristic vulnerability and story-driven approach, Earley shares personal failures, fascinating research, and biblical wisdom to reveal ten simple habits that will improve your health and deepen your relationship with God. In this book, you

Connect deeply and positively with your body as the image of God while avoiding the mistakes of ignoring or idolizing the body Explore how daily patterns of healthy eating can be as spiritual as fasting and how rhythms of feasting can become guilt-free celebrations of the world God made Recover your mental health through upper-brain spiritual truths that work together with lower-brain physical practices to reshape thought patterns Develop a sleep routine that honors your body's need for rest and your soul's need for sabbath Discover how to lament sickness and injury while still praying with hope for the miracle of healing Learn how exercise can create a humble lifestyle of loving others with your body instead of becoming a vain search for body image Earley is not a health guru telling you how to get in shape; he is the ordinary Christian's guide to rediscovering the extraordinary gift of the body and the spiritual life that flows from it. Join this journey of wonder and well-being to reconnect with your whole self and repattern your whole life in the image of the God who made you and loves you as you are—body and soul.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christian, Health, Theology, Christianity, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published October 1, 2025

About the author

Justin Whitmel Earley (JD, Georgetown University) is the creator of The Common Rule, a program of habits designed to form us in the love of God and neighbor. He is also a mergers and acquisitions lawyer in Richmond, Virginia. He previously spent several years in China as the founder and general editor of The Urbanity Project and as the director of Thought and Culture Shapers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community through arts. He and his wife, Lauren, have four sons and live in Richmond, Virginia.

Reviews

[Blair Brake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and encouraging read!! Check this book out! Think theology of being embodied meets common rule practices for stewarding our embodiment.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers practical steps to implement theological truth about our bodies—embracing both our limitations and our unique abilities in a way that images our Creator. This is a book I will keep referencing again and again.

[Alex Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t think of another author that writes as succinctly and thoughtfully as Justin Whitmel Earley. Another honest, thoughtful, and provocative book. Particularly the chapters on exercise and food.

[Jory Bayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I wish I had in college as an exercise science student. Really insightful. My favorite chapters were the ones on breathing, exercise, food, and death.

[Sami Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is it - my standout, #1 nonfiction read of the year. Never would I have thought I’d find myself crying through chapters on exercise and the resurrection and the discipline of ordinary fare amidst feasting and fasting. This work is masterful- beautifully written and instantly practical. I will bring it up in every conversation for the foreseeable future and gift it to probably everyone I know.

“When our heads go one way and our habits go another, the heart follows the habit. This is the biblical wisdom of spiritual formation.”

[Laurel West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be such a rich and whole approach to what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be a being with a body. Justin does such a masterful job of weaving together a theology of health and wellness on so many levels, from technology to exercise to breathing and even to death. I will be revisiting this one in the future.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal. It’s a calling to learn to respect, understand and steward the body God designed for you. I love the Christian perspective and applaud Justin, an attorney, for tackling this book on the body and the soul. The closing words were everything. Highly recommend!

[Lauren Scharmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved everything I’ve read by JWE and this may be my favorite. Thoughtful, helpful, and incorporates the good news of the Gospel in a way that’s practical and challenging. As a clinician, I especially appreciated how he addresses mental health & the need for communion. HIGHLY recommend.

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time.

[Karl Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 big take aways for me:
- Breath prayers: "(inhale) The Lord is my Shepherd (exhale) I shall not want" -> calm yourself down, recalibrate back to the Lord
- Worship: When people sing or speak together in unison, their bodies and brains literally sync up. Their breathing, heart rates, and even brainwaves start aligning. This synchrony triggers bonding chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins, lowers stress, and creates a strong sense of connection and trust. Because everyone is moving and sounding together, the brain interprets the group as “safe” and “unified,” which produces a powerful feeling of belonging. There's a literally bonding that happens when we worship & read scripture together.

Perfect book to listen to out for a run! Having read a lot of John Mark Comer, and listened to Justin/Brook on the Intentional Parenting Podcast, there was many "oh yeahs" of concepts I've heard in the past & yet still other, "that's a great ideas". The book was fuel to run after Jesus in each of these 10 habits. I appreciated the practicalness of hearing how Justin (& his wife) try to implement these.

For future reflection, the habits were:
1. Breathing
2. Thinking
3. Eating & Drinking
4. Sleep
5. Sickness & Pain
6. Exercise
7. Sex
8. Technology
9. Worship
10. Death & Resurrection

[Aubree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spiritual habits affect the body and physical habits affect the soul. This book is an exploration of habits and lifestyles and how, well, the body teaches the soul. I devoured and adored this book. While not every single thing was exactly the doctrine I believe, the author captured the spirit of Christianity in a way that I want more in my life. There were so many beautiful ideas and so many ways to find Christ in our lives. I loved the commentary on fasting, feasting and ordinary fare and the section on the sabbath. My favorite quote is, “Crying is the natural result of seeing the world the way God sees it. It’s the physical practice of spiritual lament. Jesus wept and so should we,” which I can’t stop thinking about. Everything makes me cry. I think/hope this will be a life changing book for me. I highly recommend this book!

Content: This is a Christian book. There is no swearing or anything offensive. That said, you may not want to listen in the car with your kids as there is a chapter about and other mentions of sex.

[Jake Thurston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best, and most important, book I have read all year! As a pastor who had to enter into an emergency sabbatical due to burn out symptoms, Justin’s book was a godsend to me. I’ve always known about the importance of these habits—but I’ve always viewed them through the increased productivity they granted me. But this book has completely shifted my mind. I no longer sleep so I can be energized to get as much done the next day, but because it reminds me my body was designed for sabbath, and to work from a state of rest. I no longer workout so I can have a clearer mind for content creation, but because it teaches my soul the importance of hardship for the sake of my sanctification journey. The chapter on pain and illness had me weeping, and the conclusion of chapter 10 on resurrection had me crying tears of joy. This book may have changed my life at a critical point in my journey where I need to go about my life utterly differently—and to chase these habits, not because I need increased opportunity to do my job, but because the body teaches the soul.

[Peter Graham Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Justin has a way of taking really practical, everyday stuff and showing how it actually shapes our souls. The chapter on exercise was one of my favorites; super accessible, super doable, and honestly made me want to take better care of my body without overthinking it.
His section on God’s design for sex was incredibly thoughtful. It was appropriate, honest, and somehow still a deep dive into how our bodies and souls are connected in ways we usually don’t slow down to notice.

The worship chapter pushed me in the best way, and the chapter on sickness hit home. I’m the type who completely drops all spiritual practices when I’m sick, so hearing him talk about meeting God in weakness was both convicting and encouraging.

And on top of all that, the book is relatable and even funny. Justin writes like a real person living a real life, which makes the whole thing land even more.

If you’re looking for something that’s practical, theologically grounded, and actually enjoyable to read, this one’s worth your time.

[Kaitlyn Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books I read quickly then immediately started over for a slower read. It brought together so many themes I've been thinking hard about - the ways we learn by doing, how what we desire shapes what we do and who we are, how we are ensouled bodies and embodied souls and both pieces matter to God and should matter to us. As a neurodivergent person who also lives with chronic pain, there were places where I had to think through what Earley's recommendations look like in my own life, but as the author states, he's not trying to give specific advice so much as principles for consideration in the context of the individual's life and body. A must read for any Christian who wants to take seriously the ways our faith should work out in how we use the God-given gift of our bodies.

[Mandy Bartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Another excellent book by Justin Whitmel Earley. The only reason I didn’t give a full five stars is that some of the material felt familiar, either from his previous work or from other sources. But that doesn’t lessen its value. Honestly, it just reminds me how valuable these ideas really are.

I love his idea of seeing body as image rather than body image—a reminder that our physical bodies reflect the image of God, not the “beauty standard” of culture. I also appreciate that his practical application ideas are really doable.

A few chapters stood out so strongly that I know I’ll reread them: Chapter 5 (Sickness & Pain), Chapter 6 (Exercise), Chapter 9 (Worship), and Chapter 10 (Death & Resurrection). This book met me right in the season I’m in. The final chapter, especially, felt both sobering and hopeful.

Such a timely, wise read. Highly recommend!

[Joel Childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

JWE has quickly become one of my favorite authors. He writes with clarity, humor, depth, and precision. This may be the first book that made me both laugh out loud and weep, all while giving deep theological insights, solid biblical foundations, and clear practical applications.

I live almost entirely in my own head, and this book has been a key component in my journey of also living in my body. But rather than an emphasis on health, strength, beauty, or longevity, JWE shows how focusing on our bodies draws us more deeply into love for God and others. For those living out a head or heart oriented spirituality, this book is an essential corrective that will help your spirituality become embodied. I will be handing this book out and probably rereading it regularly.

[Alan Rathbun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all four of Justin Earley’s books and have yet to be disappointed. I am not even sure which one to say is the best. This book is wonderfully practical, yet not overwhelming. It’s gracious and inviting and eye-opening. He hits what is a constant but mostly overlooked problem among God’s people. We tend to either idolize our bodies at the expense of our souls or ignore our bodies to focus on the soul/spirit. Justin wonderfully brings body and soul together and clearly demonstrates how they are indispensable to each other. I look forward to putting this book into practice and returning to it for ongoing growth and personal transformation.

[Manny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a fan of all the authors books but this book really helped me make sense of his other books as well. Our spiritual beliefs go best with our physical habits because this is how we are designed. I think this is why lessons are caught more than they are taught, at least for my kids. I am excited to have this new lens to look at life through and to revisit my rule of life to make sure physicality is incorporated in all areas.

[Tucker Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite reads in a bit! Justin put into words what much of my lived experience has been.

“When our heads go one way and our habits go another, the heart follows the habit.” (Pg. 9)

As great as the material is, the structure of his chapter recaps may be my favorite takeaway. The framework he provides for viewing the different topics is so helpful for approaching any part of life. Imaging, not ignoring or idolizing. Viewing our lives as windows, not mirrors. Good stuff!

[Valerie Beachy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved several chapters of this book and want to listen to them again. Some others didn't resonate with me as much, but overall I liked the book. The concept of our bodies and souls being super entwined was brought out in so many day-to-day examples. He advocates for bodily disciplines in order to love people more and in order to live out our physical life as an image of God, and not for "positve body image".

[PD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the work Earley has been doing. In the age of knowledge work, we live fragmented and disembodied lives in a digital and A.I. age. The truth of God’s creational and redemptive purposes anchor us in physical time and space, in the present with others. We are embodied souls with dignity and glory.

[Brittany Salo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like all of my favorite self help books in one place. If you liked 'the body keeps the score' or any of the books about good habits, but filled with grace and told from a biblical perspective. This is for you!

[Blake C Pfaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book for the modern culture which tends to swing heavy one way or the other when it comes to body image.

Would recommend to anyone who wants to have a godly perspective for stewarding your body & mind

[Brad Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Justin’s books. The content layout and writing resonates with me. I can’t explain why but I did not connect with this book in any of those ways. I will continue to read everything he writes.

[Anita Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, personal, and theologically sound. This is a layman's book that unites theology with practice in a compelling way. Some of us have been embracing some of these practices without knowing and/or understanding the theological connections that add even more value to them. The message is potentially life-changing.

[Chloe Brewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It’s definitely geared towards men which is totally fine but I loved Lauren’s perspective. The best thing I learned was more about phone usage and how we should make a home for our phones in our house so we’re not tempted to use!!

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning abt different spiritual practices and I appreciated how much this challenged my rigid thought and practices. It helped me a bunch. I do think he’s probably anti most things I stand for and am which is uncomfortable. To sit in but I think that’s half the point for me

[Flynn Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important book that represents the maturation of Earley’s wisdom on spiritual formation in everyday life.

[DP · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Exceeded my expectations. Helpful synthetic work. The chapters on food and fitness each stood out particular. Can see myself recommending to many.

[Matt Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin’s best book yet. Embodies the concept of “for such a time as this.”