Denise, this articulates so well the pull of the current cultural emphasis on self-care, as well as the truth of what we are actually called to do by Jesus. I loved it. I think that acknowledging our need for rest (and not just Sabbath rest, but daily rest) is one of the most important answers to the over-scheduled tendency of modern life. Rest must be a priority, or we will all burn out and end up vacillating between over-extending ourselves and demanding indulgent self-care.
I like the term 'Othercare'. 'Self-Care' has become our cultures general expectation if one wants to be 'Self-Aware'. But the joy we get by serving... nothing can light up someone's face and put a pep in their step like the feeling of having truly helped or given to someone else. I believe that the need to serve others in some way is hardwired into our general well-being.
Hey Denise… I realize this article was addressed to the ladies. Still, as a male person, I deeply resonated with your conclusions. For decades now, I have resisted a notion that crept into church language many years ago and continues to persist. That language — like 'self-care' — expresses the imperative of 'self-love'.
The idea was smuggled into popular religious thinking (I won't call it Christian) by the psychology world and is 'supported' by the great command to 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' I stopped counting how many times I have debated with otherwise strong Christians and pastors who are staunch in their assertion that "we can never truly love another until we focus on learning to love ourselves."
While I sort of get the gist of this misguided idea, the whole notion, in truth, caters to the self-absorption of our culture and our sin-ravaged nature. It attempts to find Scriptural support for doing what we are naturally inclined to do in our broken, sinful selves — that is to focus our time and our energy on pampering ourselves. Certainly, when it comes to manifestations of mental illness and what appear to be self-loathing actions and behaviors of truly broken people, the idea appears to bear some element of common sense. But a closer look at even the self-destructive among us reveals that self-harm is, in a twisted way, a sort of last ditch attempt at self-soothing, self-protection, self-love.
I've driven myself to the ground by overdoing self care, and it was always to please another person. And, Praise God, He has taught me that slowing down is the better option. I've always hesitated when I hear the term "self-care or soul-care" come from the secular world. Because what there "self" and "soul" needs is the Holy Spirit - not another retreat or healthy living or meditation. So I stop reading and just pray for their "selves" and "souls." (Not that everyone who brings up those topics in the secular world are all unsaved.) I do agree that that Christians need to take care of their Temple and their soul, but in a humble way. I'm at a point where I've had back to back unrelated surgeries, and I'm dying to get back out into that Florida sunshine and start walking again, going swimming, and heading to the gym. So not being able to self-care is driving me nuts! But by following God's principles, we will be closer to the Holy Spirit living inside us, God and Jesus Christ - not because we are paying attention to the 20 million "#self-care"!
Denise, this articulates so well the pull of the current cultural emphasis on self-care, as well as the truth of what we are actually called to do by Jesus. I loved it. I think that acknowledging our need for rest (and not just Sabbath rest, but daily rest) is one of the most important answers to the over-scheduled tendency of modern life. Rest must be a priority, or we will all burn out and end up vacillating between over-extending ourselves and demanding indulgent self-care.
Another reflective one from you.
Thanks for sharing.
I like the term 'Othercare'. 'Self-Care' has become our cultures general expectation if one wants to be 'Self-Aware'. But the joy we get by serving... nothing can light up someone's face and put a pep in their step like the feeling of having truly helped or given to someone else. I believe that the need to serve others in some way is hardwired into our general well-being.
Hey Denise… I realize this article was addressed to the ladies. Still, as a male person, I deeply resonated with your conclusions. For decades now, I have resisted a notion that crept into church language many years ago and continues to persist. That language — like 'self-care' — expresses the imperative of 'self-love'.
The idea was smuggled into popular religious thinking (I won't call it Christian) by the psychology world and is 'supported' by the great command to 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' I stopped counting how many times I have debated with otherwise strong Christians and pastors who are staunch in their assertion that "we can never truly love another until we focus on learning to love ourselves."
While I sort of get the gist of this misguided idea, the whole notion, in truth, caters to the self-absorption of our culture and our sin-ravaged nature. It attempts to find Scriptural support for doing what we are naturally inclined to do in our broken, sinful selves — that is to focus our time and our energy on pampering ourselves. Certainly, when it comes to manifestations of mental illness and what appear to be self-loathing actions and behaviors of truly broken people, the idea appears to bear some element of common sense. But a closer look at even the self-destructive among us reveals that self-harm is, in a twisted way, a sort of last ditch attempt at self-soothing, self-protection, self-love.
Much more to say on this, but I heartily agree.
I've driven myself to the ground by overdoing self care, and it was always to please another person. And, Praise God, He has taught me that slowing down is the better option. I've always hesitated when I hear the term "self-care or soul-care" come from the secular world. Because what there "self" and "soul" needs is the Holy Spirit - not another retreat or healthy living or meditation. So I stop reading and just pray for their "selves" and "souls." (Not that everyone who brings up those topics in the secular world are all unsaved.) I do agree that that Christians need to take care of their Temple and their soul, but in a humble way. I'm at a point where I've had back to back unrelated surgeries, and I'm dying to get back out into that Florida sunshine and start walking again, going swimming, and heading to the gym. So not being able to self-care is driving me nuts! But by following God's principles, we will be closer to the Holy Spirit living inside us, God and Jesus Christ - not because we are paying attention to the 20 million "#self-care"!
Really enjoyed this & totally agree!