Self-Care in a Self-Centered World
“We all need a break sometimes, but as a Christian mom, how should we take care of ourselves?”
Just this morning, as I was scrolling through social media and contemplating how exhausted I really am, I saw it. Another post saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” That’s true. You can’t. As I began thinking about this statement, it struck me how often, as women, we are bombarded with this idea of “self-care.” But, is what the world calls self-care what we, as Kingdom building moms, are really craving? Is it really what we need?
I’m guilty of partaking in what the world deems as self-care. I love a good mani-pedi and haircut. I love bubble baths and intriguing books. But, when all the time (and money) I spend on this idea of self-care fades away, I’m honestly just as spent and empty as I was going in, and my wallet even more-so (can you relate?). Now, before you tell your friends that I’m a nutcase, I am in NO WAY telling you that you shouldn’t get your nails done or get a haircut, or really partake in any of these other self-care methods. You do you, girl! What I’m saying is, when all of that fades away, we are still left with a craving for more time to relax and restore ourselves. But, what if there is a more permanent way to do that?
The Bible says in Psalm 23:3 “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” God is truly the only person who can fully restore our soul! No amount of worldy self-care can replace our innate desire to be loved and fulfilled from within! If we truly take care of our spiritual beings, we will receive the utmost restoration! We will also experience true growth and fruitfulness through communion with Christ.
The prophet Isaiah shared in chapter 17 “Blessed is the man that trusted in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yeilding fruit.” This idea of us, as weak and weary humans, being “planted” paints a beautiful picture. Trees who are not nourished properly wither and die. They shrivel away into nothingness and cease to produce fruit. Trees and plants must be properly cared for in order to thrive. They must be watered and fed. They must receive sunlight and vitamins/minerals from the soil they are planted in. Over and over again in the Bible we see ourselves being compared to a fruit or a tree. What I think God really wants us to realize is that, in order to be fruitful and thriving, we must water ourselves with THE Living Water. We must feed ourselves with THE Bread of Life. And we must root ourselves in Christ to receive proper nourishment. So, the idea of “you can’t pour from an empty cup” can be true, just not in the same sense! We have to be sure that what we are filling ourselves and nourishing our souls with is the word of Christ which will, in turn, help us be fruitful, joyful, and restored. After all, what you put in your cup will come back out. Do you want your cup to overflow with wordly ideas and impermanence? Or do you want your cup to overflow with the blessings of God that are everlasting?
So, what does all of this mean in a practical sense? While it’s totally okay to participate in general methods of self-care. make sure that you are nourishing your soul as well. Spend time in daily conversation with The Lord. Read (and study) God’s word. Don’t just glance over the words thinking you will learn something by osmosis. Spend time focusing on your blessings and thanking God for them. And, when you’re most weary, blast the worship music and pour your heart our to your maker. Spend some time resting in Christ. Maybe, if you’re super lucky, you can spend time with Jesus AND soak in the bubbles or rest your weary feet.
No matter how weary today has left you, rest assured that full restoration can come through Christ! I’ll be praying that God restores each of you and reminds you that you’re never fighting your battles alone, even when you feel like you’re pouring from an empty cup. Rest on, sweet sisters!