God CHOSE to make our bodies require self-care. Have you ever wondered why? Or that it isn’t meant to frustrate us – but to bring us JOY?
Most of us would agree that we don’t get too overly excited about performing our self-care.
I get it. Self-care used to feel like a chore to me.
But then I found 4 Scripture-based reasons our design, with the requirement of self-care, was meant to bring us joy!
I’d really like to say I suddenly loved self-care. I didn’t (& still don’t).
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But, I truly believe it brings me joy.
I want you to feel joyful too. So, here are four reasons to be joyful that God made us need self-care.
1. God’s Design Helps Us Focus Our Priorities
God uniquely designed each of us.
But, not all of us are going to fit into the worldly-driven 50 kg woman (or 70 kg man), cookie-cutter modeled, one-size-fits-all self-care plans.
And sometimes, that issue leads to a mega-load of concern for us.
In fact, much of our time is spent focused inward and thinking about how we don’t weigh a specific amount or look a certain way. It creates a tremendous amount of negative emotional stress.
And, I would dare say all of ‘that’ becomes our idol.
It causes us to feel like we don’t fit in, that we’re doing things wrong, and that we’re failing.
Thankfully, 1 Corinthians 3:16 in God’s word can help us change our focus related to our self-care.
It’s a powerful verse that reads, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and God’s spirit dwells in your midst?” (NIV).
As Christians, our charge is to live and care for our bodies and minds as a living Holy Temple. Our bodies aren’t there for us to treat any ole’ way we choose.
Reflect on this. Who knows you better than anyone here on earth?
Yes, the Lord – your Creator! And, when we obey the Lord and care for ourselves as a Holy Temple, we focus upward and on Christ. When we do that, we feel love and joy.
We find joy because when we make Christ our priority, we can allow Him to free us from the stress of worldly expectations, pressures, and the unnecessary busywork we’ve been conditioned to think we need to do to take care of ourselves. And we realize it’s okay not to look or feel like a star athlete, movie-star or magazine image.
When our focus is different, our priorities are different. We look to be well as a whole being of Christ physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. When all of these systems are well, our wellness outcomes improve.
2. God Made Us Need Self-Care And It’s a Form of Worship
God provides a self-care plan for us to use in scripture.
His how-to plan is pretty basic, but it has razor-sharp precision and is amazingly beneficial. And, it shows the connection between our spirituality, self-care, and wellness.
Romans 12:1 reads, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.” (NIV).
Presenting our body as a living sacrifice is considered holy and acceptable to God, and is a form of spiritual worship.
When we present our bodies, we glorify our Lord. And, the way we treat our bodies (self-care) is a part of the presentation of our body.
God is pleased when we worship Him in this way. Thus, we find joy through this action because we know that we are pleasing our Lord.
3. God Made Us Need Self-Care to Move Us to Action
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells us, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV).
If you’re like me, you feel His call for service, specifically know what you should be doing, and even feel it with urgency. Yes, we feel called TO ACTION – whether through our purpose, a mission or ministry.
But, are we doing it? Or, are we doing everything we can to do it at our greatest ability? If we’re not, especially if we know what we should be doing, what’s stopping us?
Our self-care should position us so we are prepared to DO. For example, we could ask:
- Have we put our minds and bodies in place TO BE mission prepared?
- Are we able to recognize and defeat any distractions so we CAN STAY on track?
- Are we able to adapt to the challenges in front of us so we CAN OVERCOME?
Placing our self-care in the category of ‘preparedness’ to complete our mission makes our self-care feel like a part of our ministry. And, it leads us to a desire to fulfill our purpose at our greatest ability.
We flourish and feel joy when we are living out our purpose and mission for the Lord.
4. God Made Us Need Self-Care For Kingdom Growth
The above questions may seem intense. However, they lead to one of the most powerful reasons (but most surprisingly to me) that God made us need self-care.
Self-care is a way to prepare and strengthen our bodies to impact Kingdom growth.
The TRUTH is, our self-care directly impacts how prepared we are, whether we stay on track and our capability to complete The Great Commission.
The ‘world’s’ version of self-care does not consider Kingdom growth. This issue works against us and takes us off of our mission.
Staying focused on the Lord keeps us on mission and impacts Kingdom growth
God Made Us Need Self-Care
Committing to taking care of ourselves can bring us joy. It serves as a form of worship to God, it provides wellness along with a respite from the worldly pressures to be at a particular level of health, and it equips and prepares us to grow the Lord’s Kingdom.
I pray that these words help you keep your heart, body, and mind focused and that you yearn to be mission ready, on track, and capable of the honor and love for Christ.
Are you ready to find joy? The first place to start is with your focus so you can treat your body as God’s Holy Temple. May you be blessed with joy as you perform your self-care.
Struggling with How to Improve Your self-care?
Lisa Kimrey is a 30-year veteran registered nurse, speaker, and author of the Bible study, The Self-care Impact: Motivation and Inspiration for Wellness. At Mylifenurse, Lisa writes about simple ways to care for yourself to stay happy, healthy, and rejuvenated while you serve and care for others. Combining her years of nursing expertise with Scripture-based encouragement, Lisa shows readers easy ways to begin and maintain their self-care journey – without feeling guilty. Be sure to grab your FREE Self-care Starter Guide!