According to the Psych Central, “Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health.” Though the phrase ‘self-care’ is not specifically mentioned in The Bible, it is something we as Christians should practice to give honor to God by cultivating the body he has given us.
Growing up in a Christian household those were not words that I heard often. I feel this is because The Bible doesn’t use the words ‘self-care’. However, it does specifically reference taking care of one’s mind, body and soul many times throughout. 1 Corinthians 3:17 states:
“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 (NIV)
Constantly, God urges us to take care of our bodies because we are his temple. Although secular outlets promote self-care as sometimes having a glass of wine to unwind, using breathing techniques, or having a night out on the town, many of their suggested activities coincide with the tasks that we should engage in as Christians. Some of these are exercise, sleep, eating healthy, or doing other things that bring us joy or keep us grounded.
There are also many ways that we as Christians can cultivate the self-care that God requests of us. Some of those activities are spending time with God through prayer and reading The Bible, meditating on his word and who he is, fellowshipping with other believers, fasting and doing works for the less fortunate. All of these are activities that can help us to stay grounded in God and take care of his temple in the process. God calls us to take a day of rest as he did in Genesis 2:2-3.
2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
Genesis 2:2-3 (NKJV)
In today’s society we have put work ahead of many aspects of our lives, including family, ourselves but most importantly God. We have become so accustomed to keep going, going and going, even when are bodies tell us it’s time to take a rest. God has given us his temple to nurture and with this body we are his. Through this time of uncertainty amidst the Pandemic, use this time to take care of God’s temple in mind, body and soul.
Amen Sister, rest of our body is essential but so often neglected. Your devotion is such a blessing. Keep writting!!!
Good job 👍🏽 continue to take time for God’s work and watch Him use you in a spectacular way. Blessings 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you for the words of wisdom offered to us to remind us of the importance of taking care of our body , mind , and spirit , we are the temple of the Holy Ghost . Well done sis
Thank you, Tiara, that’s a very timely devotional. I can sense a future GCW leader!!!
This was an excellent read! So timely and so true!
Awesome read!