Self Care: Nourish Your Soul and Spirit

Reclaim Your Power: The Act of Self-Care

Woman in yoga pose reading a book outdoors in a garden

“Aim at heaven, and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you get neither.“ ~ C.S. Lewis

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” ~ Jean Bolen

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes – including you.” ~ Anne Lamott

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Honouring God means caring for yourself and living to reflect His love and purpose. The Bible teaches that self-care is not selfish, but a way to tend the body, mind, and spirit God gave you. By focusing on your physical, spiritual, and emotional health, you can better glorify God and serve others.

The Bible says our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul writes, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” This verse shows caring for our health honours God. When we eat well, exercise, and rest, we thank God for life.

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” This verse shows God values us. Knowing we are wonderfully made encourages us to care for ourselves—not out of pride but to honour God’s work. Caring for ourselves shows we value His creation.

Self-care also means caring for your spiritual health. Praying and reading the Bible help us grow closer to God. Jesus often went to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16). Time in prayer and study keeps us rooted in His truth and gives us strength for life’s challenges.

Emotional health is key to self-care. The Bible tells us to give our worries to God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). A loving community helps us share burdens and encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.” Faith communities provide needed support.

Many people struggle with self-care, feeling guilty or misunderstanding its role in Christian life. Some believe taking time for themselves is selfish or that self-denial means ignoring their needs. But the Bible teaches balance. Jesus said, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31), meaning loving others starts with valuing yourself. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and hinder the ability to serve others.

To overcome these challenges, focus on God’s Word. See caring for your body, mind, and spirit as worship and gratitude. Build habits to rest and renew: pray daily, spend time in nature, or talk with supportive friends.

These are some practical self-care tips based on Scripture:

Prioritize Rest: God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3) and set an example. Make rest a regular part of your life to recharge physically and spiritually.

Nourish Your Body: Eating well and staying active honours the temple of the Holy Spirit. Add gratitude to meals by thanking God for His provision.

Seek God Daily: Pray and read Scripture to grow closer to God. Let His Word guide your day. Surround yourself with people who support your faith and well-being. Build relationships via church groups or volunteering.

Practice Gratitude: Focus on your blessings and thank God for them. Being grateful changes your outlook and helps your emotional health.

When you prioritize self-care, you unlock greater capacity to lead a life full of purpose and generosity. Valuing your own well-being is essential, not selfish, as it allows you to extend care, love, and strength to others. Look to these 35 Bible verses for powerful reminders of your worth and divine design.

We use the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible (click here for more info)

The English Standard Version (ESV) Bible is one of the most trusted word-for-word translations available today. It’s also easy to read. Known for its accuracy and literary quality, it stays committed to the original biblical texts. It strives to be “as literal as possible” while using clear, modern English. The English Standard Version (ESV) is a highly respected, modern “word-for-word” (essentially literal) translation of the Bible. It’s widely regarded for its precision. This translation stays true to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. The ESV is a favourite among pastors, scholars, and dedicated Bible readers who value its reliability and clarity.

1. Your Body, God’s Temple – 1 Corin 6:19-20
2. Health and Soul Wellness – 3 John 1:2
3. Nourished and Cherished Love – Eph 5:29
4. Value of Godliness Forever – 1 Tim 4:8
5. Find Rest in Me – Matthew 11:28
6. Guided by Humble Faith – Proverbs 3:7-8
7. Glorify God in Everything – 1 Corin 10:31
8. Love Your Neighbour – Matt 22:39
9. God’s Holy Temple – 1 Corin 3:16-17
10. Words of Life, Healing – Prov 4:20-22
11. Living Sacrifice to God – Romans 12:1
12. Rest Comes from Trust – Psalm 127:2
13. Wine’s Stomach Benefits – 1 Tim 5:23
14. Seek God’s Kingdom First – Matt 6:33
15. Wonderfully Made – Psalm 139:14
16. Peace Heals, Envy Destroys – Prov 14:30
17. Faith and Responsibility – 1 Tim 5:8
18. Love God and Others – Matt 22:37-40
19. Joy Heals the Soul – Proverbs 17:22
20. Made New in Christ – 2 Corin 5:17
21. Find Rest in Solitude – Mark 6:31
22. Fear the Eternal Judge – Matt 10:28
23. Peace Through Prayer – Philip 4:6-7
24. Touched and Restored – 1 Kings 19:4-8
25. Master Your Actions – 1 Corin 9:27
26. Rest for the Weary – Matthew 11:28-30
27. Work Honestly, Share Freely – Eph 4:28
28. He Cares for You – 1 Peter 5:7
29. Love Your Neighbour – Mark 12:31
30. Reject Worldly Love – 1 John 2:15
31. Renew Your Mind Daily – Rom 12:1-2
32. Sacrifice for Friends – John 15:13
33. Rest on the Sabbath – Exo 20:8-10
34. Watch Over Heart – Proverbs 4:23
35. You Are God’s Temple – 1 Corin 3:17

From a biblical perspective, “take care of yourself” means more than just physical health or indulgent self-care. It is based on deep spiritual principles that are often ignored in today’s secular views of self-care.

Here is some of the unknown or lesser-known information about this concept from a biblical perspective:

Self-Care is Stewardship, Not Selfishness: Biblical self-care means caring for your body as a resource from God, not just pampering yourself. You are honouring God by treating your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and keeping it in good shape to fulfill His purposes.

Loving Yourself is a Commandment, Not a Suggestion: Many miss the last two words of the command “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Biblical self-care is necessary because you cannot effectively love others or fulfill your purpose if you are completely depleted. It is a prerequisite for a loving neighbour.

Jesus Modelled “Withdrawal” for Self-Care: Jesus often took time away from his work and crowds to rest and pray alone (Luke 5:16, Mark 6:31). This shows that creating boundaries and resting are acts of spiritual obedience to our human limits, not signs of weakness.

Neglecting Self-Care Can Be a Form of False Spirituality: Avoiding rest or self-care because you are “too busy doing work for God” may stem from “self-sufficient” pride, in which you depend on your own strength rather than trusting in God’s support.

The Bible Validates Emotional and Physical Limits: God doesn’t expect you to be limitless. He made us with physical boundaries, and understanding when you need rest (like Elijah in 1 Kings 19) is a way to trust Him, not a sign of weak faith.