By Pastor ChinyereMea

If you had asked me a few years ago what I thought about self-care, I might have dismissed it as a trendy term best left to spa days and solo vacations. But walking with the Lord—truly walking with Him—has taught me that self-care is not only necessary; it’s spiritual. It’s a form of stewardship. It’s how we tend the temple God chose to dwell in—this body, mind, and spirit entrusted to us.

What is Self-care, Really?

At its core, self-care is the practice of noticing your needs and responding to them with compassion and wisdom. It’s listening when your body is weary, when your heart is heavy, and when your soul is thirsty for the living water. It’s not about escaping life—it’s about remaining rooted in it, anchored in the One who sustains us.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…? Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
—1 Corinthians 6:19 20

Jesus Practiced Self-care, so we should

us Practiced Self-Care. So Should We.

Scripture reveals a Savior who withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16), who napped during storms (Mark 4:38), who fed His followers and Himself (John 21:12). Jesus didn’t race burnout; He walked in step with divine timing. That rhythm is an invitation to us all.

Practicing self-care in my journey with the Lord has meant…

• Sabbath-Keeping
  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” —Exodus 20:8
  Honoring rest as a holy command, not a reward for productivity.
• Prayerful Reflection
  “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” —Mark 6:31
  Taking moments to breathe deeply and listen—not just speak—to the Spirit.
• Setting Boundaries
  “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” —Matthew 5:37
  Saying “no” when my “yes” would come from exhaustion, not grace.
• Moving My Body
  “For physical training is of some value, but gous Practiced Self-Care. So Should We.
• Scripture reveals a Savior who withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16), who napped during storms (Mark 4:38), who fed His followers and Himself (John 21:12). Jesus didn’t race burnout; He walked in step with divine timing. That rhythm is an invitation to us all.
• Practicing self-care in my journey with the Lord has meant…
• Sabbath-Keeping
  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” —Exodus 20:8
  Honoring rest as a holy command, not a reward for productivity.
• Prayerful Reflection
  “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” —Mark 6:31
  Taking moments to breathe deeply and listen—not just speak—to the Spirit.
• Setting Boundaries
  “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” —Matthew 5:37
  Saying “no” when my “yes” would come from exhaustion, not grace.
• Moving My Body
  “For physical training is of some value, but gous Practiced Self-Care. So Should We.
• Scripture reveals a Savior who withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16), who napped during storms (Mark 4:38), who fed His followers and Himself (John 21:12). Jesus didn’t race burnout; He walked in step with divine timing. That rhythm is an invitation to us all.
• Practicing self-care in my journey with the Lord has meant…
• Sabbath-Keeping
  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” —Exodus 20:8
  Honoring rest as a holy command, not a reward for productivity.
• Prayerful Reflection
  “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” —Mark 6:31
  Taking moments to breathe deeply and listen—not just speak—to the Spirit.
• Setting Boundaries
  “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” —Matthew 5:37
  Saying “no” when my “yes” would come from exhaustion, not grace.
• Moving My Body
  “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things…” -1 Timothy 4:8
• Seeking Support
  “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” —Galatians 6:2
  Reaching out to mentors, counselors, or friends when the soul feels heavy.
• Feasting on the Word
  “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4
  Not for performance, but for daily renewal.

Self-care is not Selfish, it’s Surrender

When I neglect myself in the name of serving others, I risk offering them a brittle, fragmented version of me. But when I care for myself under the Lord’s guidance, I offer my best—whole, present, and poured out from overflow rather than depletion. That’s not pride. That’s obedience.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” —Mark 12:31
(Which means you must love yourself, too.)

A Final Word

So to the weary pastor, the stretched-thin parent, the behind-the-scenes servant—hear this: taking care of yourself is not unspiritual. It is a declaration that your life is worth honoring, not because of what you do, but because of who made you.

Self-care is worship.
It is tending the temple.
And it is, without question, holy ground.