Self Care Is Not Selfish

This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

Today, I am thinking about how self care is not selfish.

This week, we’re going into a holiday weekend. Usually I’ll use a long weekend to get ahead. I’ll schedule additional tasks, either work related or around the house. Yet this time, I’m taking a different approach as I am recalling what gospel heavyweight Marvin Sapp shared when I heard him speak earlier this year. He said you can’t be anything to someone else until you are everything to yourself.

This hit me because as much as I want to be of service to God and to be used in His service for others, it’s difficult to serve others when I’m not treating my own body with kindness and respect. For me personally, this can look like too much stress, not enough exercise, and a lack of rest. This is what I call failing to care for ourselves the way Christ would.

What I realized is that when I dishonor my body in that way—whether it’s through food, or stress, or lack of rest—I am damaging one of God’s instruments, and I surely don’t want to do that since I really do want to be used in God’s service.

As I take this weekend to reflect on my own self care, let me encourage you to do the same. Join me in embracing the idea that self care is not selfish. As you do so, remember these words: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?…So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

Please share this reflection as others desire to be inspired.

So today, love yourself the way Christ does.