What the Bible Says About Self-Care
As women, we are hard-wired to take care of everyone. This often leaves us with little for ourselves. What if I could help you cut self-care guilt by showing you bible verses about self-care that make it less of a nice to do and more of a need to do!
Living life with a constant level of overwhelm isn’t the life that God called us to. God’s word says that he has better for us, plans that prosper us and not harm us, so there is no way he could honestly want us to live a life of emptied-out-ness.
Self-care is defined as anything that is done deliberately to focus our efforts on caring for our health mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Self-care is the basis for improving our mood and reducing anxiety. It’s not selfish; it's about knowing how to take care of our needs so that we can ultimately take care of others. It is not meant to be something we force upon ourselves. Self-care is what we do after taking an assessment of what our needs are and then work to take care of that need.
Mental self-care
Do not conform to this world's pattern, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.~ Romans 12:2
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Things to do for mental self-care
Talk to a counselor/therapist.
Pay attention
Find a good hobby
Physical Self-Care
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:17
Things to improve physical self-care
Dance
Improve your diet
Get your rest
Emotional Self-care
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32
Ways to improve your emotional self-care
Journaling
Write down things you are grateful for
Let it go!!
Know that self-care isn’t selfish, and it is needed to live a life worth living now and forever. Yes, in James 16:33, it does say that we will have trials and tribulations, but it also says that HE has overcome this world. What good would it to become part of God’s kingdom or better yet for Jesus to have died for us if we continue to live a life that isn’t fruitful and we are raggedy.
