The 3 Simple Practices of Biblical Self-Care

Flip open any magazine, scroll social media, or listen to any talk show or podcast and you will probably see or hear something about self-care. Some of the information we see or hear can be greatly beneficial, however, self-care can sometimes be presented in such a way that encourages overindulgence or self-centeredness. If we are not careful, we can even go to the extreme of making self-care our idol. As in most things in life, there must be a balance.

I believe that God wants us to live in such a way that we practice self-care. We need God’s Word to help us understand how to take the best care of ourselves, our body, our mind, and our soul in a godly way. This is often a difficult task with all the many stressors in the world today. It can become a full-time job to take care of ourselves and our family members.

Some people think of self-care as a luxury or even selfishness. But in taking care of ourselves and staying in the best possible health (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually), we can have more freedom to focus on how we can serve and be used by God for His kingdom purposes.

Titus 2:12 teaches us to “say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 4:24 says, “to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

The self-care regimen that your friend follows may not work for you. Through prayer and consideration, you can come up with a plan that will work best for you and meet your needs. Sadly, many people neglect designing their self-care plan until they have reached a breaking point or crisis in their lives. Often, it’s a diagnosis by a healthcare provider or a session with a mental health counselor that wakes us up and challenges us to take those steps necessary to care for ourselves. After all, we live in a world that validates those who are climbing to the top of the business ladder or the pastor that pours his life into ministry so much that his family and his health are last on his priority list. Moms compete to throw the most spectacularly executed themed birthday party for our kids and get them involved in every sport or activity possible, often to the detriment of the family unit with everybody scrambling in different directions. There is a lot of pressure to perform well and to constantly raise the bar.

So, how can we honor God by taking the best care of ourselves? How can we serve Him well and be what we need to be for God, our family members, and friends?

Let’s begin by looking at the different three different areas of practicing self-care.

Physical Self-Care

First, we will talk about physical self-care. God calls us to take care of our temple (the physical body where the Holy Spirit dwells). We find this scripture in I Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”  Since God created our body and the Holy Spirit indwells there, we are to use our body to glorify God.

Here are a few important aspects of physical self-care:

1. Regular exercise is essential for our physical health. In addition to working your muscles and burning fat, exercise releases endorphins, which help in alertness. It also improves your sense of mental well-being and reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Exercise reduces stress hormones like cortisol and insulin, which can have a negative impact on the body and cause inflammation and fat storage. If you are not currently exercising, you can start by making small changes like parking your car further out in the parking lot or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  A walk or hike is a great way to spend time together as a family. You might find a Pilates or cycling class to take with a friend. Having a buddy for accountability is a way to make sure you make progress. It is recommended that you always check with your medical provider before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have any health concerns.
2. Nutrition is another important part of physical self-care. We need to develop smart eating habits. Even small healthy food choice changes can have a significant impact in your overall health. Be aware of your portion sizes and avoid processed foods. As much as possible, try to avoid or decrease sugar and high fructose corn syrup in your diet. Choose antioxidant-rich foods. Eat a variety of organic veggies and fruits. It is beneficial to cut down on eating most fast foods. You may want to reduce your caffeine intake. Healthy lean proteins in your diet can help increase metabolism, promote satiety, and can potentially help with blood sugar control. It is thought that seed oils can cause inflammation. Many researchers are recommending that these oils be replaced with extra virgin olive oil, MCT, coconut or avocado oil. Even small changes in your diet can have a great impact on your physical health.
3. Adequate hydration is essential for overall health and bodily functions. Our body is composed of about 60% water. Water helps regulate our body temperature, delivers nutrients to the cells, lubricates joints, helps prevent infections, and keeps our body’s organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves our sleep quality and helps with cognition and mood. When we get dehydrated, we can experience fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, and difficulty concentrating. Hydration is a cornerstone of overall health and well-being.
4. Sleep is crucial for both mental and physical well-being. Sleep allows the body to repair and rejuvenate itself as well as helps maintain a healthy immune system and supports brain function. Adequate sleep for most healthy adults is about 7-9 hours per night.
5. Regular medical and dental checkups are important for your overall health. It is always better to practice prevention of disease and illness rather than waiting to deal with a diagnosis and consequences.

Emotional Self-Care

Another important area of self-care is to strengthen and promote your emotional well-being.

The following are ways to practice or encourage emotional self-care:

1. Acknowledge your emotions. Life is emotional and we may experience a variety of emotions daily such as stress, sadness, guilt, fear, and joy. Sometimes we are inclined to suppress these emotions and, if we do that enough, we may eventually feel like we are going to explode. We then wonder why we are feeling isolated, exhausted, anxious, disconnected or even “stuck.” We do not need to fear our emotions. We just need to learn how to process them and use them for our good. In processing our emotions, we learn to recognize, understand, and manage those emotions. Through that process, we become more self-aware and can develop empathy to understand where others are coming from so we are able to respond in a way that helps others, rather than harms our relationships.

Proverbs 17:27 TPT says, “Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That’s how you show you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm and collected no matter what you are facing.”

Learning to manage or regulate your emotions enables you to be able to respond to situations in your life and relate to other people with clarity. Make an effort to learn healthy ways to manage your stress and emotions.

2. Practice mindfulness through prayer, reflection, deep breathing, meditating on scripture, and journaling your thoughts and feelings.
3. Engage in activities and hobbies that connect you with loved ones. Find activities that bring joy and a sense of accomplishment. Join a small group, participate in a church project or activity, or invite friends to go out to dinner. Activities or hobbies may include painting, journaling, listening to music, or taking a walk in nature.
4. Slow down when you are feeling deep emotions. Practice movement and deep breathing. Be mindful of getting good sleep and rest and prioritize healthy nutrition. Take time to empathize and really listen to people. Work on improving your communication with others. Strive to listen to their thoughts and consider their needs and boundaries.

Spiritual Self-Care

How is your soul? It is crucial that we examine daily where we are spiritually. Taking care of your spiritual life is one of the most often overlooked areas of self-care.

These are some ways to prioritize spiritual self-care:

1. Renew your mind with God’s Word to transform your thinking. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world 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.”
2. Take your thoughts captive and replace them with God’s truth. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretense that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

3. Guard your heart and mind by setting boundaries and choosing to live in peace every day. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
4. Don’t allow anxiety to steal your peace. We are encouraged in Psalms 55:22 to cast our anxiety and cares on God and He will sustain us. Daily prayer and maintaining open communication with the Lord throughout the day will help us remain in peace, no matter the circumstances we may be going through.
5. Seek the wisdom and direction of the Lord daily. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be given to you as well.”
6. Practice good soul-care by prioritizing and setting aside a specific day for rest, reflection and spiritual renewal. God places so much emphasis on this that it is included in one of the Ten Commandments. Maintaining a Sabbath day or a day of rest is recommended for everyone. This can particularly become a challenge to those serving in ministry positions. If this area of self-care is neglected, it often leads to empathy fatigue or burn-out.
   Establish clear boundaries and protect your Sabbath time just like you would any other important appointment. Unplug from your devices and social media to allow for a time of deeper connection with God. Practicing Sabbath reminds us that we aren’t to be just about serving and ministering but about receiving from God the rest and refreshment that we need for our weary souls.

Self-care, when approached with a focus on honoring God, involves careful attention to your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being as a way to steward the life God has given you. It’s about finding balance in your life so that you can better serve God and others.

Godly and biblical self-care is living a life of obedience, striving to honor God in all that you do, and loving others with the love of Christ that shines through you.

Please Note: The content in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition or nutrition-related concern.