Self-care is crucial for us as Christian women but often gets deprioritised because of guilt. My hope is this post helps you embrace self-care with God-honoring motivations. Let's explore this together!
What Self-Care Actually Means
Self-care refers to any activity that replenishes you emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually. This looks different for everyone! For some it may mean exercise, time with friends, enjoying nature or hobbies. For others it’s reading, writing, quiet time to pray and meditate. Get creative in exploring what energises your unique soul.
Why We Should Make Self-Care a Priority
Taking consistent time to refuel allows us to pour into others from a full cup, not an empty one running on fumes. Just like cars need regular fill-ups at the gas station to keep running smoothly, we need spiritual and emotional fill-ups through self-care.
It also honors God's temple within us - caring for the whole person He created, not just pushing our bodies and minds nonstop. Stewarding our physical, mental and spiritual health allows us to serve God with energy, joy and longevity.
Checking Your Motivations
Before diving into self-care, check your motives. Is this coming from a selfish place of wanting to pamper yourself? Or is your desire to replenish yourself flowing from gratefulness and wholeness? Ask God to purify your motivations so caring for yourself stems from a place of joy and honor, not duty, guilt or vanity. Keep your eyes fixed on using your renewed energy to pour into your family, church community, and advance God's Kingdom.
Overcoming Guilt with God's Truth
The enemy loves to use false guilt to deter us from self-care, whispering it's indulgent or lazy. But remember - Jesus Himself modeled self-care during His earthly ministry by regularly withdrawing to quiet and solitary places to pray, reflect and reconnect with the Father. God lovingly invites you to sit at His feet and embrace rest!
Combat guilt with scriptural truths - our worth comes not from our busyness but from being God's beloved child (Ephesians 1:5). Jesus paid the highest price for every part of us - body, soul and spirit - to be redeemed (1 Corinthians 6:20). We honour Him through stewarding our whole selves well.
Starting Small
The guilt may paralyze you from making self-care a habit. Start small! Add 10 minutes of quiet time to your morning routine, enjoy a weekly bubble bath or at-home facial, say no to extra activities without apologies. Build margins even in small ways. Consistent mini breaks to refuel add up over time.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
Once you've carved out self-care time, protect it by setting kind but firm boundaries. Politely decline other commitments that encroach on what replenishes you. Explain you are honoring the margins needed to be your best self. Remember, your loved ones will benefit from you stewarding your health too! Guilt-free rhythm benefits all.
Finding Accountability
Share your self-care goals and struggle with guilt in confidentiality with a couple supportive friends. Ask them to regularly check in and cheer you on as you build this habit. Accountability helps ensure we follow through amid the busyness of life. We all need encouragers!
Seeking Out Replenishing Activities
Take an inventory - what activities fill your soul? Make a list of ideas, then start trying them out to identify what works. This will look different for everyone. Experiment until you find the rhythms that energize you mentally, creatively, physically. God made your spirit to uniquely thrive in certain ways.
Walking in God's Rest
Remember, busyness does not equal godliness. The Lord modeled and commands Sabbath rest because we need it. Setting aside time to replenish yourself is an act of faith in God’s ability to sustain you apart from constant hustle. Don't feel guilty - you honor God by stewarding your whole self wisely.
I hope these points help you overcome guilt as you nurture body, mind and spirit. You honour God through self-care when pursued with humility and joy.