The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is something that is rarely discussed in the Christian community. I think that’s because of the keyword “self” is often seen as selfishness, which is against the basis of living a Christ-like life. I don’t believe that’s the case. I believe that self-care is the opposite of selfish; it is Christ-like as long as you don’t take it too far.

First off, we need to define self-care to better understand what it means. Self-care is the time you set aside and actions you take in order to take of yourself. It affects everything in your life from your physical health to your view on life and others. Self-care allows you to have better stress and anxiety management and makes you feel good overall. Self-care is something that should refuel you, not take away from you. It is so important for us to take care of our bodies because we are made to glorify God in every part of our life. It is far too easy to neglect self-care. Without self-care, or taking care of yourself, you can't serve others in your life to the best of your ability. 

Let me illustrate what that means.

Self-care is

…eating a nice giant healthy bowl of fruit or salad rather the junk food because it makes your body feel healthy and good.

…doing that workout even though you really don’t want to because it makes your body healthy and feels good.

…finding something to laugh about every day.

…finding something to smile about every day.

…taking the time to read a chapter of a book every day.

...taking that bubble bath even though you might think it's only something a kid would do.

…loving on everyone you see because hating on people doesn’t make you feel good in the long run.

…going to bed and getting up at reasonable times so that you're feeling refreshed and good throughout the day.

...spending time with the people you love. 

…learning when the right time to say “No.”

…going to the doctor and dentist regularly and not putting aside the smallest health issue.
....remove yourself from people who not good for your health.

...writing in a journal or creating videos daily, if that works for you.

…learning to apply makeup even if your lifestyle doesn’t require it. (Ladies)

…meeting with brothers and sisters in Christ who can lift you up in prayer and fellowship because we aren’t made to do life alone.

…setting aside time for a quiet time in daily devotion.

But most of all, self-care is continuously pursuing your relationship with Christ!

As you can see now, self-care is not bad whatsoever; it is actually good. But with any good thing, you can take things too far which can turn it into a bad thing. So go start your own self-care regimen!

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." - 3 John 1:2