How can you “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27) if your heart, soul, strength and mind are in a state of dysfunctional disrepair and ongoing stress?
Dr. Jennifer Londgren writes in A Guide to Mental and Emotional Wellness, “To some, self-care is equated with selfishness … It seems like it is the opposite of humbling yourself, of trusting in God, and putting the needs of others ahead of yourself” (p. 13).
Neglecting our self-care is often equated with noble acts like jumping on a grenade to save your platoon. While the extreme act of sacrificing one’s life is honorable, the ongoing neglect of self is dishonoring godly stewardship of your heart, soul, strength and mind.
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20).
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
Sometimes, according to Londgren, “self-care is associated with extravagance that might seem unnecessary, like getting massages or pedicures” (pp. 13,14). This lie says that self-care is a luxury, when it’s actually a necessity. Do you detect the sinful pride in this approach?
“I’m so well put together, I’m so passionate about sacrificing myself, I’m so strong and caring and others-focused that I can keep pouring out and pouring out and pouring out to every person in my family and at work and in the world. I can solve all their problems and I can save them without needing anyone to pour into me or anything to nourish me.” That’s called the second Savior syndrome.
There’s only one Savior, and it’s not you or me. It’s Jesus.
Even Jesus needed help. Jesus called on the Father and was strengthened by angels. Jesus depended on his family. Jesus desperately needed Peter, James and John to watch and pray with him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus asked for a drink of water while dying on the cross.
Even Jesus needed to take care of himself. Jesus ate. Jesus didn’t burn out doing God’s work. Jesus didn’t heal everyone. Jesus didn’t have dinner in every home. Jesus didn’t preach in every city. Jesus didn’t do everything, and you don’t have to, either. Jesus slept. Jesus unplugged regularly and relaxed away from the most important work in the world, more important than yours.
The Bible says that Jesus lived like us, as “fully human in every way … in service to God … that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:17,18).
Jesus is the beautiful Savior who both cared for himself and cared for you perfectly to save you. Yes, he suffered, but never sinned. Let him help you.
Care about and yield to the needs of others while also taking care of yourself so that you are your best self to make the best difference.
Jesus loves you and loves your self-care. Love him with it. Self-care isn’t selfish. Self-care is love for Jesus, others, and yes, yourself.
PRAYER: Jesus, you teach me that self-care isn’t selfish. You lived that out in perfect balance while here on earth, taking care of yourself while also taking care of others. Teach me, Lord. Forgive me for neglect, and help me improve my self-care so that I can better practice my love for you and others. Amen.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP: For more myths and misunderstandings about self-care, read A Guide to Mental and Emotional Wellness by Dr. Jennifer Londgren.
You can also watch my sermons, “mis(Understanding Mental Health” Part One and Part Two. Subscribe to the CrossLife Church YouTube channel to receive the sermon video each week.
