Self-Care: A Right and A Responsibility

Is it selfish to practice self-care? Do you feel guilty when taking time for yourself? The reality is that when we care for, love, and minister to others, it takes energy from us—sometimes, it can drain the life out of us. Jesus was no stranger to this way of life.

The Hemorrhaging Woman, Luke 8:42-46

Jesus felt power go out of Him. God, that immense source of energy that sustains the universe detected a loss of power when healing one individual. Even Jesus, in His earthly ministry, recognized the need to replenish His strength—often withdrawing to pray, reconnect, and be renewed. If He needed that restoration, how much more do we? Unless we have a renewable source of energy, we will become depleted, jaded, probably dehumanizing. It is important we return to God as our source of energy asking Him to sustain us. Without regularly turning to our divine source, we risk burnout, bitterness, and exhaustion. True self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential for sustaining the love and service we pour into others.

Too often, we neglect our physical and emotional well-being, convinced that we must push through, deny ourselves, move faster, and accomplish more. But eventually, we crash, and rest becomes a necessity rather than a choice. Yet even in that forced recovery, a nagging guilt lingers—whispering that we are indulging, being lazy, or failing in our responsibilities. Sometimes, we even question if something is wrong with us or if our faith is lacking.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”  Luke 9:23

If we love Jesus and want to serve Him, and if He loves us, would He really want us to deny or ignore the fact that we are human—created with physical and emotional needs and God-ordained limits? It is not uncommon for Christians to treat essential needs like sleep, nutrition, exercise, and emotional refreshment as luxuries we simply don’t have time for.

Perhaps accepting our God-ordained limits and actively choosing to receive His gifts of rest, food, recreation, and solitude are, in themselves, acts of worship and obedience.

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus—fully human and fully God—regularly setting aside time in His ministry to be alone and to share meals with His friends and disciples. Why is it okay for Jesus, yet for some of us, it feels like self-indulgence? The reality is that we are neglecting ourselves. Taking time for self-care is a spiritual discipline that rightly acknowledges our place in God’s world. Putting Him at the center of our lives is not about denying our God-given needs, but about surrendering to His rhythm—enabling us to take up our cross, run the race, and persevere without burning out. 

Jesus said “Love the Lord 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 

How can we truly care for and love our neighbors if we neglect to care for and love ourselves? Yet, at times, we treat others better than we treat ourselves.

Self-denial is not just a behaviour issue; it’s a heart issue. Our behaviour reveals our heart. God calls us to deny our hopeless attempts to justify ourselves and find life apart from Christ. By avoiding loving ourselves and denying ourselves basic necessities, we neglect both ourselves and the temple of God, as He dwells within us. This feeds our sinful tendency to live self-sufficiently and seek fulfillment in our own abilities. Maybe our busyness, accomplishments, and achievements have become what define us.

Think about this, true fulfillment comes not really from how much we do, but from how we align our lives with God’s purpose—honoring His design for rest, renewal, and meaningful connection. When we embrace His rhythm, we reclaim the space to be present, to love fully, and to serve with strength that is sustained, not depleted.

Taking care of our spiritual health

- Prayer

- Being connected to a church or family

- Bible study or home group

- Meditating on God’s Word, practicing stillness, and reflecting

- Enjoying nature and God’s creation; seeking joy in His works

- Finding meaning and purpose in life

- Practicing reconciliation and forgiveness

Taking care of our mind, emotions and thoughts

- Attitude

- Positive thinking and optimism

- Humor

- Forgiving mistakes

- Beliefs and values

- Emotional intelligence—acknowledging and understanding your feelings, staying in tune with both your emotions and your body

- Family of origin healing

- Working through grief

Taking care of our body

- Adopt a healthy, balanced lifestyle

- Maintain good nutrition

- Exercise regularly

- Practice proper breathing techniques

- Prioritize relaxation

- Ensure adequate sleep, rest, and water intake

- Take necessary supplements (e.g., Vitamin D)

- Seek support services such as cleaning or gardening assistance

- Take holidays to build resilience

Taking care of ourselves through connections

- Support and social connections

- Family and friends

- Individual and group supervision

- Professional development

- Mentoring and peer support

- Emotional support from a friend, family member, or counselor

- Limiting trauma work and maintaining a balanced workload

- Regular contact with family and friends to nurture important relationships

- Finding time for your favorite recreational activities

Taking care of ourselves—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—is not selfish; it's an act of faith and obedience. When we honor the limits God has given us, we position ourselves to love and serve others more fully.