The NIV 365 Day Devotional
Practicing Self-Care
Caring for ourselves is essential to life, and taking time to enjoy our favorite things can be an act of worship. How do we care for ourselves the way God intended?
Self-care begins with structuring our days in ways that allow us to follow through on our commitments and attend to our responsibilities. When Paul writes about worship in the church, he provides insight into the character of God. He says, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). God enables us to bring order to the stewardship of our lives so that we can fulfill the good work he’s called us to do. Perhaps we need to sit down with a list of our priorities and reevaluate our calendars, ensuring we are getting adequate nutrition and rest. Or maybe we need to delegate responsibilities and let go of activities that are not allowing us to be fully present in our day-to- day life. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we can partner with God in stewarding our lives for his glory.
When we go through seasons that are weary and tiresome, we can borrow David’s words, “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). God alone offers us soul-satisfying care, and he created many blessings for our refreshment. For example, nature, laughter, friendship, sabbath rest and time in Scripture are all ways God cares for us. He invites us to pour out our hearts to him, and he promises to listen and respond with exactly what we need. Then, like David, we can say, “Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:2).
If you find yourself weary, battling temptations or processing difficult news about a loved one, know there is hope. You don’t have to seek an escape route or add temporary fixes to your to-do list, you can tend to body, mind and soul by turning your eyes toward heaven and asking God to fill you with his presence and peace.
Taken from Flourish: The NIV Bible for Women.