“Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.”

Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak

As Christians made in the image of God, rest and self-care are part of our duties. This doesn’t mean we value ourselves above others, but as Palmer so eloquently states it above, we steward our most valuable resource so that we might be our best selves to God and the people He has put in our lives.

For some Christians, this is an uncomfortable challenge. Prioritizing oneself feels unnatural and wrong. But this doesn’t have to look like indulgence or pampering. It can take many shapes:  making healthier dietary choices, prioritizing exercise, spending more time in Scripture, committing to a healthier prayer life. These are all basic disciplines that we can often neglect – but let us not forget that “our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit within us” (1 Corinthians 6), so let’s care for ourselves accordingly!

In what ways can you to care for yourself in order to care for others? What parts of your life are you neglecting in an unsustainable way? Are there concrete decisions you can make to be an emotionally healthier person so you can be fully present to those around you?