In today’s world, Christians in America are finding themselves divided on the topic of self-care. One side of the camp removes God entirely from the equation and preaches self-care is all about “me.” Then, on the other side, we treat sacrificial motherhood as THE epitome of a godly mother and wife, even if that means we lose ourselves in the process.

So what is the answer? Is self-care biblical? What does the Bible actually say?

The Bible and Self Care

“Is self-care Christian” is the wrong question to ask. Instead, we should be asking whether Christians should practice self-care?

In order to answer this question, we need to understand what we mean by self-care. Self-care in the most basic sense is actively trying to preserve or improve one’s own health. It’s caring for yourself by any means possible.

So, should people who believe in Jesus try to “preserve or improve their health”? Sounds silly when you ask it that way… As a whole, it seems as if the pendulum has swung from “self-care baths and shopping is an absolute must” to “self-care is anti-christian and you should only rely on Jesus.” The actual answer is somewhere in between.

God gave us one life to live, and he asks us to live it, but how we live it should be impacted by the Bible.

Our purpose in life

The purpose behind self-care isn’t to be happy and enjoy life; ideally, that would be a by-product. Instead, the purpose of self-care is to take care of ourselves so we can continue to serve God and others.

We were created in His image (Genesis 1:27, NIV) to do good works (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) on this earth.

From the very beginning of time, we were designed:

To work (Genesis 2:15, NIV).
To rest (Genesis 2:2-3, Hebrews 4:9-10, NIV).
To serve others, not ourselves (Matthew 5:16, Mark 10:45, NIV).
To ultimately glorify His name in everything we do (Isaiah 43:7, Exodus, 9:16, Romans 1:5, 1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV).

In order to fulfill our purpose, we need to have the energy and emotional/mental capacity to do so. This is where self-care becomes crucial.

Self-care, when framed appropriately through scripture is biblical. Taking care of ourselves allows us to fulfill our calling to go and make disciples sharing who Jesus is and how that changes how we live.

You’ve often heard that you can’t pour from an empty cup, and I am a firm believer in that. The difference is that bath’s and coffee dates aren’t my primary means of filling my cup.

Instead, I know that when I take care of my spiritual life, everything else will follow. And even when it feels like my cup is empty, I know that Jesus is filling up my cup and sustaining me.

Self-Care Bible Verses

The Bible should always be our guiding principle for how we manage our lives. American culture tells us that we are entitled to our own freedoms. It tells us to follow our hearts, and pursue happiness at all costs, but the Bible takes a different approach.

We aren’t entitled to anything. God has already given us more than we could ever deserve. With that in mind, our goal should always be to preserve our health to glorify God. Here is a sample of what the Bible says about this topic. Take it a step further and read each verse within its context. Do you come up with a different conclusion?

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? - 1 Corinthians 3:16, NIV
Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.- Isaiah 64:8, NIV
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. - Luke 5:16, NIV
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest - Mark 6:31, NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light - Matthew 11:28-30, NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things - Philippians 4:8, NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10, NIV
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22: 37-39, NIV
After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— - Ephesians 5:29, NIV
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. - Mark 1:35, NIV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, , NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2, NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. - Romans 12:1, NIV
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. - Genesis 2:2-3, NIV
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit - Ephesians 2:21-22, NIV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone - Romans 12:18, NIV
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Romans 14:17-18, NIV
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. - 1 Thessalonians 5:6, NIV

Prayer for Self-care

Ultimately, the true answer behind whether your self-care is biblical or not will come from your own personal convictions. If you aren’t sure, spend some time in prayer and or work it out with someone you can trust spiritually.

If you need a prompt, download the self-care prayer prompt also listed below.

Lord,

I recognize how often I act as though I am limitless. I want to hustle and get everything done yet my body fails me. I hate how weak I feel. But in that weakness, it reminds me how imperfect I am. And that’s the point - I am not You.

I was never designed to be limitless. To work without rest. Help me to slow down. To focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest.

Lord, give me the energy I need to serve You, and others well. Remind me to rely on you when I am physically, mentally, or emotionally tired.

I trust you, so show me the way I should go and help me follow you. And when it’s time to rest, calm down my thoughts and let me rest completely.

In Your Sons Name,
Amen

For practical ways to practice self-care check out these 16 Self-care Tips for the Burned out Mom.