It’s not Selfish to be Emotionally Healthy
How well do you take care for your self? If you’re like a lot of people, not so well.
SELF CARE AND THE GREAT COMMANDMENT
Self Care involves your well-being physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and relationally. In the Bible, God addresses the care of ourselves. The Greatest Commandment states: “’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself”” Matthew 22:38-39 (emphasis mine). Loving yourself means practicing good self care. Jesus teaches us to highly value our neighbor in the same way he expects us to highly value ourselves, as God’s very special creations.
ISN’T SELF CARE SELFISH?
Some people may say self care is selfish. On the contrary, good personal care is a godly thing. Jesus practiced healthy self care, taking time to rest, be alone, allowing others to support him, and choosing to fill his mind with the Word of God.
While we may be good at tending to our physical well-being, our own heart is often the area most neglected. Emotional self care is perhaps the most difficult to understand and apply because our culture’s message teaches us to neglect this part of self.
GOING AGAINST CULTURE
Have you ever been told to:
- “get over it,”
- “be strong.”
- “emotions are viewed as a sign of weakness.”
- “another completes me”
- “I will be whole once I’m in relationship.”
All of these statements are telling us to neglect our emotions and depend on another. The truth is we all have emotion, whether we recognize it or not. What most people see is not our true emotion, but our reactions to cover up the wounds in our hearts. Eventually, when we don’t care for our own heart, the neglect will start to show somehow. It may be addictions, stress, or continuing in dependent/abusive relationships.
GODLY SELF CARE
The good news is God has given us a brain to memorize healthy, productive responses as well. With a bit of effort, we are all capable of becoming a new creation- a new person, and delighting in the renewing of our mind. In so doing we are able to eventually leave behind the unproductive reactions. Now we can respond with integrity toward our self and others.
Self care done routinely helps you recognize your intrinsic worth and value. It opens the door for personal and relational growth. It is in your best interest. Others benefit, too, because you are more prepared to be available to them in healthy ways. Now you can respond with your full God given potential and from a heart of abundance
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