5 Spiritual Self-Care Habits to Strengthen Your Faith
What is Spiritual Self-Care?
Spiritual self-care is a place where dependence on God meets everyday life. It invites God into the details and keeps our mindset on thy kingdom come, thy will be done. While there are many ways you can care for your spiritual health, each one is meant to draw your heart closer to Jesus. You begin to see more of His character in Scripture, you find yourself praising Him throughout your day, and you stop striving to please man when God is your heart’s affection.
Have you ever experienced the whipping of the wind in the dead of winter as the harsh cold buries itself into your face and hands, leaving you in a hurried search for something to soothe your dry skin? Maybe you’ve chided yourself for not preparing ahead of time by applying moisturizer to combat the changing weather.
While the different seasons can leave you running to the closet to grab that coat you didn’t need for a few months, this idea of preparation plays a key role in our spiritual health.
Just like moisturizer is the balm to dry skin, spiritual self-care is vital for flourishing in your relationship with the Lord.
Why Does Spiritual Self-Care Matter?
Spiritual self-care rhythms guide us through life—it’s the encouragement we need in the good seasons and the anchor in the wilderness ones.
Spiritual habits ground us with the reminder that we cannot do this life alone. Spending time with God and engaging with Christian community shows us that abiding is a beautiful place to be. While it may be tempting to live on autopilot when life presents smoother terrain, God reminds us in Zechariah 4:6 that it is “not by power, nor by might, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.”
Spiritual self-care invites God into the process of our sanctification and keeps us humble in our work for the kingdom.
When God’s people came back to Jerusalem after living in a foreign land and being ruled by a foreign king, they were instructed to rebuild the temple and walls in the city. It was go time. There was vision, goals, dreams, ambition.
But that’s where God reminded themnot to forget who was doing the real work. The people used their hands, their talents, their days, but God brought about the success.
The people needed to take heed and have a soft heart, one that was ready to let God move and work in their lives to accomplish the task.
And Jesus beckons us to have the same mindset. When talking to his disciples in John, he says, “abide in Me. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)
If we want to accomplish any lasting and purposeful work, we need God to lead the charge.
We also need to play our part in creating rhythms and a lifestyle that welcomes God’s lead and work in our lives.
Spiritual self-care is the way we make room for God to work.
So how do you take care of your spiritual health?
Spend Time with God
Getting away to a quiet is sometimes the solace we need. God promised us that His Word is alive and active. Spending time in Scripture opens our hearts to what God wants to speak to us. You can also cue up your favorite worship songs and sing. Take time to confess sin and discover the welcome arms of a loving Savior ready to help you turn from your ways and walk in holiness. These moments cultivate a deeper relationship with God and are the building blocks for spiritual self-care.
Disconnect From Digital Noise
We’re constantly bombarded with information. Every app is fighting for our attention with notifications and content. It’s an endless scroll. We’re told to laser our focus to a tiny screen, but research shows it’s creating an anxious generation. But there’s a better way. When we lift our eyes, we begin to see the world around us. Big. Bright. Beautiful. Take time to breathe in the fresh air. Marvel at the flowers and animals. Savor time with your friends and family. The cares of the world begin to fade when we don’t allow the endless digital noise to feed us.
Embrace Christian Friendships
Going to the spiritual gym with your friends can be its own form of spiritual self-care. When you spend time with those who love God and you, they will remind you of the truth of God’s Word. They will champion you toward holiness and living in a way that reflects Jesus. They will cry and grieve with you when life is hard and not the way it was created to be. They will hype you up to chase the dreams God has given you. They will laugh with you. They will be the community you need and a clear picture of God’s provision when He said it was not good for man to be alone.
Take a Sabbath Rest
The setting of the sun is an opportunity to lay down the work we’ve done and trust God to use it, carry it, and multiply it beyond our capabilities. Resting guards us from running full throttle to build our own kingdom and get high off accolades and applause. Sabbath rest helps us reset our minds to remember we are stewarding our gifts for God’s kingdom. The ways to savor a day of rest are endless: dancing, playing sports, hiking, napping, reading, playing games, or laughing with friends and family.
read an Inspirational Fiction Novel
One of my favorite parts about Scripture is that Jesus told stories! He connected timeless truths to stories that captivated. From the parable of the lost coin to the lost son, the good samaritan, and the wedding banquet, stories abound in the Bible. Almost half of Scripture is written in narrative form, aka a story! The benefits of reading include spiritual ones. Sometimes when we journey alongside characters who’ve walked a similar road, truth and hope sink in better. We see them struggle and battle for belief, face their fears, and watch them come out stronger. In the process, their life mirrors our own. When you read an inspirational fiction novel, you’re reminded of God’s truth along with the characters!
God is so kind to have created this world with rhythms that serve us. And this list isn’t exhaustive! I pray these spiritual self-care habits are a balm to your heart and keep you refreshed no matter what season you find yourself in.
For triumph,
