Self-Care Routine for Christian Women

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Biblical Self-Care: Caring for Yourself the Way God Intended

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Somewhere along the way, “self-care” became a word that makes a lot of Christians cringe. It’s often associated with bubble baths, indulging in chocolatey desserts, and checking out of responsibility. Or worse, with selfishness. But the more I’ve learned and grown, the more I realize real, biblical self-care has nothing to do with indulgence, and everything to do with taking care of our temple God has entrusted us with.

God never asked us to run on empty. He actually designed us with limits. Physical limits. Emotional limits. Spiritual limits. And then He commanded rest before we ever earned it. Sabbath was given in Eden, not after the fall. Rest was part of perfection.

When Jesus walked this earth, He modeled self-care beautifully. He slipped away from crowds. He slept, even during storms. He ate with friends. He said “no” to demands so He could say “yes” to His Father’s timing. If the Son of God needed rhythms of rest and refreshment, then surely we do too.

But here’s the truth: biblical self-care isn’t about putting yourself above everyone else. Philippians 2:3 says,Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” Biblical self-care is about caring for the body, mind, and soul God entrusted to you so you can love others well. Scripture says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” You can’t pour from a cracked, neglected, exhausted vessel. Your ability to serve, give, parent, work, and even worship is strengthened when you’re living from a healthy place.

Sometimes self-care looks simple and unglamorous. Going to bed on time, drinking water, stepping outside for fresh air, putting your phone away, reading Scripture before reading the news, talking to someone when you’re overwhelmed, or saying “no” because God didn’t call you to be the Savior of the world.

So if you’ve ever felt guilty for needing rest, or for stepping back, or for doing something that nourishes your soul… release that. You were never meant to run nonstop. You were meant to abide. And in that abiding, you’ll find strength, joy, clarity, and the ability to love others the way Christ calls you to.

Biblical self-care isn’t selfish. It’s sacred.

1. Rest Was God’s Idea First

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Before God ever commanded humans to rest, He rested.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested.” Genesis 2:2

This wasn’t because God was tired. It was because rest is woven into the fabric of how life flourishes. God invited us into the same rhythm—not because we’re weak, but because He loves us.

Sabbath is a weekly reminder that the world keeps turning even when we stop. It teaches us trust, humility, and it teaches us that our worth doesn’t come from productivity.

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2. Jesus Modeled Healthy Boundaries

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Jesus was fully God and fully human, and He still needed time away.

“Very early in the morning… Jesus got up… and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
Mark 1:35

When crowds pressed in, He withdrew. When His body needed sleep, He slept.
When His disciples needed rest, He told them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).

If Jesus didn’t apologize for resting, neither should we. If you haven't read it already, I highly recommend reading Boundaries.

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3. Loving Your Neighbor Includes Loving Yourself

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We often focus on “love your neighbor,” but Jesus didn’t stop there.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31

You can’t love others from an empty, neglected, overwhelmed state. You weren’t meant to.

Biblical self-care actually strengthens your ability to serve. It fills your cup so it can overflow into someone else’s.

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4. Self-Care Is Stewardship, Not Selfishness

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Taking care of yourself isn’t putting yourself above others. It’s recognizing that God gave you:

a body (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
a mind (Romans 12:2)
a soul (Psalm 23:3)
emotions (Psalm 34:18)
limits (Psalm 103:14)

And He expects you to steward them.

That might look like:

going to bed earlier
nourishing your body
taking a walk
saying no to commitments God didn’t ask you to carry
seeking Christian counseling
spending time in Scripture before scrolling social media (read here why I gave it up).
slowing down your pace
talking to God about your stress instead of pushing through in silence

These are not selfish acts—they’re faith-filled acts of obedience.

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5. Burnout Doesn't Bring God Glory

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For a long time, many believers (especially women, mothers, ministry leaders, and caretakers) were taught that running ourselves into the ground was “holy.”

But burnout doesn’t make us Christlike, rest does.
Jesus called us to take up His yoke, not a yoke of constant striving.

“My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30

If your life feels like a heavy burden, it’s not because you’re failing. It’s because God never intended for you to carry everything alone.

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6. Real Self-Care Brings You Back to Jesus

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Biblical self-care always leads you back to the Source of rest.

“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3

True rest isn’t just about sleep or stillness—it’s about letting God refill what the world drains.

Sometimes rest is quiet worship. Sometimes it’s a nap. Sometimes it’s boundaries.
Sometimes it’s letting Jesus remind you that you’re held, loved, and not required to be everything for everyone.

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