Is Self-Care Biblical?
Self-Care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness. In the last 5-10 years, there has been a newfound emphasis on self-care - everyone wants to talk about it and live that kind of lifestyle. Self-care looks like a lot of different things: treating yourself to Starbucks, a night out with the guys or gals, weekend trips, etc. Culture says, “Canceling plans is ok. Staying home to cook is ok. Disappearing for a bit to get your life together is ok. Resurfacing in a foreign country with a new name ten years later is ok. It’s called self care.” But, is self-care a Biblical idea? Looking to Jesus’ life, here are three ways Jesus found restoration, and a way to shape your view on caring for yourself:
Jesus prayed. Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” Jesus was doing really miraculous things and had people chasing him down. In the verse before, it says “the report of his power spread even faster.” Jesus had a high demand of people who wanted to see him and be healed by him. So what did he do in the demand? He withdrew to pray.
Jesus napped. Mark 4:35-38 says, “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fleece storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion.”
Jesus refused to meet the expectations of others. When Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000, John 6:14-15 says, “When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.”
This type of “self-care” isn’t about self-indulgence. Jesus’ care for himself was all about sustainability. It was all about being able to do the very things God asked and sent for him to do; to be able to offer others out of the outflow of his very life. In fact, Jesus’ model of self-care in the Scriptures shows him actually letting go of control. He prays, asking for God’s help. He naps, knowing God is Creator. He chose to not meet the expectations of everyone around him, caring more about the expectations of the Father.
Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
This sounds like the kind of self-care that leads to sustainability. Asking for this. Seeking this. Making space for this - a God who lets you rest, leads, renews, guides closely, pursues. Things like vacation days and an afternoon filled with your favorite things are not bad nor wrong. They even may be some of the expressions in which God uses to bring restoration to you! The better question then, is to ask, “How often are you reaching for and seeking God’s restoring care in your life and how is this leading to a sustainable pace?” Self-care is about stewarding everything God gives you.
Take some time to reflect:
Read, meditate, journal, pray through Psalm 23 everyday this week. Maybe each day you focus on a different line (ie. The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.”)
Calendar time to pause and sit with yourself and God throughout the day. What kind of rhythms of deep soul-rest is God inviting you to explore?
What expressions of sustainable rest, care, and pace is God using to help bring his restoring care to your life (ie. If you love working with your hands, is cooking something, baking bread, drawing or painting, writing poetry or letters)?
Biblical “self-care” is really God restoring care in your life. Maybe it’s way less about what you do for yourself and way more about how you give God space to refresh and renew your mind, body, soul, and spirit. The best kind of “self-care” isn’t actually anything you muster up by yourself - it’s God’s restoration that renews you, helping you live from a full cup, and not an empty one.