“Look after yourself, love!”

This was the parting comment that my dear Dad said to me on the phone the other day,

“Look after yourself, love!”

So I thought we would reflect upon this most important of topics today, Self Care.

Something God has been reminding me to do of late!

Why? That’s what we’ll discuss over our cuppa’s dear friend.

So grab your mug, a treat & get comfy.

I thought I would have a Springtime tea today as it’s a beautiful Spring day here on the East coast of Australia, although still a little chilly.

Berry Delicious is the herbal tisane I’m sipping with a slice of home baked Apple, coconut & almond bread as a treat, delicious!

Let’s begin…you may ask the following question;

Isn’t self care just being selfish Jennifer?

Unfortunately, this is a miss held belief in many parts of the world.

Especially amongst women.

And past practices have not helped to dispel this belief over the centuries.

A prime example can be seen last century, where the belief & practice among many dedicated missionaries was ‘to burn out for Jesus’!

I know this sounds strange but it was so!

The thinking was that they would work so hard in sacrificing themselves & their lives to spread the Gospel, that they would literally burn out physically, mentally & emotionally.

While this may sound a noble & honourable thing in giving their all for God’s Kingdom.

Is it actually what God wants us to do?

Jesus said to shine our light, His light;

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16 amp

So burning out is not what God wants us to do, He wants us to keep on shining for Him. As,

a burnt out candle has no light to shine!

But what about the following scripture?

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

Romans 12:1-2 NASB 

We are also told in Scripture that when we accept Christ into our lives we become the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

“…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

1Corinthians 16:9 NASB

Thus, if our body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit & we are called to be living sacrifices, how do we care for our body, mind & spirit?

We don’t have to look far, as we have a great example in Jesus’ life while He walked the Earth.

He looked after Himself in many ways & how I put these into practice are shared in the following posts, which you can enter by tapping on the coloured texts below;

• He would Pause & Reflect
• Where He found Rest & Release 
• And He also knew it was important to Restore
• Before becoming Overwhelmingly, overwhelmed!

This my friend is how we need to take care of ourselves.

Let me make this personal…

You see I was one of those who came to the Lord in that time of ‘burn out for Jesus!’

And having that type A personality, I unfortunately did!

During that time of burn out I wasn’t good to anyone or for anything as I was physically, mentally & emotionally spent!

And although I have learnt valuable lessons from that time.

I have a tendency to fall back into default mode with Self care & not put it as one of the priorities in my life.

Thus, the Holy Spirit’s reminders lately, especially through the love & concern of my dear Dad!

How do you look after yourself my friend?

I would love to know, please share in the comments below.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or 

In Prayer

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