Redefining Self-Care
In order to love others well, we must love ourselves.
When you think of the word, Self-Care, maybe you’re thinking “selfishness” or maybe you’re thinking “that’s all I’ve wanted to do, but I haven’t gotten around to doing it.” I’m here to tell you that self-care isn’t just something that we choose to do every other week by isolating ourselves and putting on a face mask. Although that’s a way of promoting relaxation, it’s not entirely what’s going to fill our tanks forever. We must learn that self-care is a way of life. I agree that the way society views self-care is by clinging onto materialistic things through a vain lens. But I believe it’s important to redefine it in a Godly way.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 :
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies."
Self-care, in other words, is simply honoring God with our bodies. It’s understanding firstly that our bodies are not our own, but masterpieces created by God to do His works. Self-care is pausing to breathe, acknowledging that Christ is in control, and allowing His peace and strength to fill us. It’s having boundaries. Learning how to say no and yes when necessary. And it’s the drive to fill ourselves up so that we can serve others efficiently the way Christ has called us to.
Galatians 6:2:
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."
We can’t carry one another’s burdens if we choose to not acknowledge our own. Self-care is choosing to seek the heart healing we need to thrive. Hence the word care. When you care about someone you love, you tell them the truth, even when it’s hard. But you do it because you know that it will benefit them and the situation. Self-care isn’t just choosing to numb out and forget about our problems, it’s facing them, for the benefit of our healing.
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford