Your One LifeSample

Day Five: The Selflessness of Self-Care

Self-care goes hand in hand with self-leadership. In order for you to live the life you long for, you must learn how to appropriately care for yourself. In fact, one of the most important lessons I have been learning in the last few years is that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s good stewardship. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap and enjoy a good meal. As Psalm 127:2 says, “God gives rest to his loved ones.”

In 3 John verse 2, John writes, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

God not only wants you to experience good health but also wants you to actually “enjoy” it. John also prays that all will go well with these first-century Christ followers, even as their souls are getting along well. I don’t think John is praying that everything in their lives will be easy and smooth. He is praying that they will experience a quality of life that will allow them to thrive, no matter what’s going on around them.

Good health, a thriving soul, and a rich quality of life require a measure of self-care. If I neglect caring for myself, doing things that fill my tank, and living within my limits, my soul will begin to shrivel. 

When Jesus talked about what it means to follow Him, He often spoke about denying self, forsaking self, and dying to self. But denying self is not the same as self-loathing or self-hatred or self-neglect. We are created in the image of God, and we are His image bearers. Although we have been marred by sin, that doesn’t diminish our intrinsic value or worth. We’ve been endowed by God with a soul and a body. It’s that soul and body (self) that is the vehicle through which we’ll live our one and only life on this planet. A “self” that is surrendered to God is a beautiful thing meant to be cared for and appreciated.

Self-care is not only a gift to yourself but also to those around you. When you’re healthy and replenished and your tank is filled, you’re a better person and a lot more fun to be around. 

What is the single most important thing you need to do in order to keep your tank filled?