Spiritual Self-Care

Ashlyn LaClair, Grad Intern

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

In a fast paced world, taking care of your spiritual health is just as important as caring for your physical and emotional health. Luckily, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have a Perfect Model of spiritual well-being. We are invited not only to believe in Him as our personal Savior, but also to follow in His perfect unforced rhythms of grace. As Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us, Jesus is a better way of life and shows us exactly how to live it. Spiritual self-care is not about rigid routine and religious obligation, but about learning to walk with Christ in a life-giving way. Follow Christ and He’ll show you the way.

Outlined below are some spiritual self-care practices of our Savior Himself. But remember that the best spiritual self-care is not about striving harder but drawing closer to Jesus.

A. Solitude and Prayer

1. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is regularly documented withdrawing to quiet places alone with God to pray (Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:23, 26:36; Luke 5:16, 6:12). Jesus intentionally took time to refresh His own soul and depend on God. 

B. Sabbath  and Rest

1. Jesus honored and valued rest, teaching us that it was for our own well-being (Mark 2:27). He often stepped away from large crowds in order to recharge and connect with God. Jesus’ life highlights the importance of balancing service with rest. 

C. Scripture and Reflection

1. Jesus not only engaged with the Word through reading, but deeply through meditating, applying, and teaching. Scripture was the Lord’s guide for action and helped Him to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus did not merely treat the Word as information, but embodied it in all His life. 

D. Worship and Gratitude

1. Jesus thanked God often, in all circumstances. He thanked God and sang His praises whether before miracles, in daily provision, in abundance, and in suffering (John 11:41-42, Matthew 14:19, Luke 10:21, Luke 22:19-20). To Jesus, worship and gratitude were about a heart posture, not about a place or circumstance. 

E. Community and Fellowship

1. Jesus knew the importance of balancing both solitude and community (Matthew 11:19, 18:20). He is often found in Scripture sharing meals, conversing with, and encouraging His community and friends.

F. Serving Others

1. Serving others with a profound sense of love and compassion was not just a duty for Jesus, but a source of fulfillment. He found purpose and renewal in caring for others (Matthew 20:28).

G. Surrender and Trust

1. Ultimately, Jesus surrendered to God’s will in all circumstances, crying out, “Not my will, but Yours” (Luke 22:42). Jesus found peace, purpose, and strength to endure all things, when He left all things in the hand of God. 

The key to spiritual self-care is fostering a deep, intimate relationship with God and learning to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace, as Jesus did. He will show you real rest. Watch Him and learn. His invitation is yours.