As the New Year approaches, I’m getting more and more excited to share my latest book The New You, which will be released on Jan. 1. I want everyone to embrace 2019 with a new perspective on how to be a better physical, mental and spiritual you.

Click here to preorder The New You now to start your new year off the right way.

Readers will come away with specific strategies on how to lose weight, get more sleep, lower stress, nurture better relationships, connect with God, and much more. Anyone who wants to trade in the frustration of average living and less than healthy for the hallmarks of the new life God promises will find The New You an effective personal guide for the journey.

Below I’ve shared an excerpt of the introduction to the book, in which I talk about my story from stress to spiritual renewal:

Nelson’s Story

A few years ago, I wasn’t living my best life. As a pastor, I had spent my entire career building God’s church, but in the meantime, I had let my own health fall by the wayside. Sometime in my thirties, I began putting on a few extra pounds every year. I began sleeping less in the name of productivity and wrestling with more stress. I was on a downhill slope toward obesity, burnout, and ineffectiveness.

But, honestly, I wasn’t that concerned. I was too busy to be concerned. Sure, I wanted to look and feel a little better, but doesn’t everyone? That wasn’t enough incentive to change my behavior. Besides, really getting healthy seemed overwhelming. The scale had ticked into intimidating territory, and I could feel myself struggling physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. But habits are strong, and my unhealthy ones continued to direct my path.

Then came the breaking point. I became a father. When my son was born, I couldn’t ignore what I was doing to myself any longer. I remember thinking, I’m not going to be able to chase him around and enjoy his childhood if I don’t get myself together. That realization opened a floodgate. It led me to begin considering everything else my unhealthy lifestyle choices would keep me from doing in the future if I didn’t make a change—things like being an engaged husband, fulfilling my role as a pastor effectively, simply living with contentment and enthusiasm. So I made a decision to stop being carried by the current of bad habits, tastes, and temptations. I took a hard look at the truth about my health and wellness and put a plan in place to get back to the fullness of life God had in store for me.

What’s God Got to Do with It?

As we each (Nelson and Jennifer) set out on our individual journeys toward health and wellness, we began to understand a transformational truth: God has a plan for our health. He has a plan for yours. Your body and ours are the living, breathing, and walking around temple of God’s Spirit. That reality has implications for how we care for ourselves physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Our skin, bones, and fleshy guts are home to the Most High. That is a humbling thought, isn’t it?

Check back next week for another sneak preview of The New You.

Don’t forget to order your copy to start 2019 off stress-free and ready to serve the Lord. 

Your partner in ministry,