5 Tips for Biblical Self-Care
Do you struggle with self-care?If so, you’re not alone. I can so easily get swept off my feet by this fast-paced life that I neglect the well-being of my heart and soul along the way.There was a time where I thought self-care equaled a hot bath, treating myself to my go-to ice cream & binging on my favorite Netflix show in my jammies. I’m not saying this is a bad thing, but with it I have found only temporary relief.Here is what I have learned from the course of my self-care journey:Instead of putting myself first like society says I should, it’s important that I die to myself & the self-care culture the world operates off of. Yes, you heard that right. Culture tells us to embrace ourselves. God tells us to die to ourselves. (Luke 9:23) This doesn’t mean we have to give up what’s good for us. But it does mean we have to let go of what’s not so that we can make room in our hearts for what is.The true rest & restoration we crave comes from God & God alone. My flesh craves a temporary rest. If I choose to satisfy it with something like Netflix, I will be no better off than when I started. When I focus more on what I can do for myself instead of retreating to my quiet place & entrusting myself to God, I miss out on the revival, restoration, strength, & intimacy my soul needs.Let’s take a look at 5 tips & truths for our Biblical self-care routines:1. Truth: You have permission to take care of yourself. In fact, Jesus commands it. Take a look at Mark 12:30-31. You’ll notice that part of what Jesus commands is to “love your neighbor as yourself”. Did you catch those two little words at the end? “...as yourself.” God desires to see us treat & value ourselves as His beloved creation.2. Truth: God created us for self-care. (Ephesians 5:29) He literally wired us for this! If you struggle with believing the lie that self-care is selfish, it most certainly is not- as long as you are investing in the proper self-care habits. Biblical self-care cooperates with God’s redemptive work in you.3. Tip: Get alone with God. Take delight in retreating to your quiet place. Jesus did not sacrifice his alone time to help everyone that crossed his path. He knew that in order for him to serve God’s people, he also had human needs that must be met. The same goes for you. Alone time with God should be a non-negotiable for us- every single day.4. Tip: Know your limitations. God is God & we are not. Do not over commit yourself! Ask for help when you need it, embrace the gift of community, set healthy boundaries in relationships, & be mindful of the way you prioritize your time. Practicing these things will help us to thrive.5. Tip: Take care of your temple.(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Make sure you are getting enough rest & that you are feeding & moving your body in ways that allow it to thrive. We need energy for our Kingdom work. If we find ourselves running on empty or sick in bed often, we will surely miss out on the things God desires for us to be a part of.
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