Taking time for ourselves can be as simple as adding a slice of lemon to water or reading a devotional to reset your mind.  When we are aware of a “brain cloud or fog” or are in the mid-morning or afternoon slump; instead of pushing through, take a break.  Not just another brain dead few moments, but a mindful break with the intention of refilling your tank and doing something for yourself.

Do something that brings you joy and balances out your body so that you can be your best self again.  You might be saying, “yeah right – who has the time for self-care or a break”?  Okay, then I’m sure you believe that doing the same thing over and over will get you new results magically, right?  Ridiculous?  Yes… 

It’s kind of like prayer – people that say, “I don’t have time to pray”.  No, my friend, you don’t have time NOT to pray and put God first.  Part of obedience and to show our love for God is being a good steward of the one body that was given to us. God wants us to reset our priorities and live the abundant life He promised those who follow Him.  He promised us ABUNDANT life, not just getting by… how do you achieve this you ask?

Jesus gave us a great example of setting boundaries, and how putting God first is important.  He also demonstrated self-care.  When the crowds got to be too much, He always took time away alone to pray and be with His heavenly Father.  He had an extremely busy ministry schedule and crowds gathered wherever they heard He was.  News of His miracles made Him a sought-after man – word traveled like wildfire even without social media and the internet.

So, let’s take a look at Jesus ministry for a minute and glean some wisdom.  He was a Rabbi who had 12 disciples to teach. (compare that to your family or job)  He turned water into wine at a friend’s wedding when they ran out – even when He was “off duty” He was on duty for His friends. (much like parents are for their kids or for extended family) He was hounded by the crowds to heal the sick, yet slipped away into the wilderness for 40 days to fast and pray.  He fed thousands with some loaves and fishes, after preaching a great sermon when he would have rather let someone else do it or slip away and take a nap.  He took time to raise people from the dead, and He also knew when to take a nap – like the time He and the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee (in the middle of a huge storm)  He was then rudely awakened by His fearful disciples and chastised for sleeping when they were in fear of their lives, He then calmed the storm.

He took time out to pray, to rest and then went back to His Fathers business, refreshed and ready to serve casting out demons and healing the sick.  Preaching the Good News and bringing hope to the hopeless.  He knew that God the Father would refill His cup if He sought Him first.  He was selfish with His time when it concerned His relationship with God.  He could then come back renewed, refreshed and be selfless for mankind.

It’s like they instruct on an airplane, put on your oxygen mask first, then you will be able to care for others.  It’s not selfish, it’s the right thing to do.  You’re of no use to others if you’re dead yourself.

Use Jesus example, He set boundaries and did what He needed to do to replenish His energy. We need to make our self-care a priority.  Putting God first (Matthew 6:33) and then be a good steward of our bodies to help others.   Until we learn to put Him first, our lives will always be a bit out of whack.  This is my husband’s life verse and part of his testimony.  God’s promises will not fail, you can count on them!

Self-care is not selfish - instead, it allows you to give the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you… when you practice it on a consistent basis. I invite you to bring inner peace into your chaos; take time for yourself to be revitalized in your spirit while nurturing yourself. 

Closing thoughts:

·         If I don’t feed myself spiritually, I don’t have the spiritual resources necessary to share with others. This is why I read the Bible and pray daily.  Find time for it.

·         If I don’t look after my own health and become sick, I am not much use to my family or friends.  This is why I try to take care of myself and try to eat nutritionally sound food.

·         If I don’t make time for reading great books/articles or listen to podcasts and YouTube events or TED talks, I don’t have the intellectual resources I need to share with others.

·         If I don’t make the effort to work through my own emotional issues and become resilient, I end up reacting to others instead of being in a position to minister to them. This is why counseling to deal with the past and health coaching to improve the future is great for most people!

·         If I don’t get sufficient rest, I get irritable. No one wants to be around me. This is why I try to sleep a solid seven-eight hours every night.  Rest is vital to so many parts of our lives, that’s a whole different blog post!  (stay turned …)

Learn to model self-care so that people in your inner circle and even those that observe from affair can witness this and be influenced by it.  Maybe they’ll learn to take care of themselves too!