Self-care quotes and articles frequently pop into our social media feeds. Millions search daily for ways to practice self-care - seeking a better night’s sleep, ways to breathe deep, meditate, reduce stress and anxiety…
A quick “self-care” Google search produces about 3,650,000,000 results in .69 seconds, this search will bring up a plethora of ways to practice self-care; along with a multitude of catchy self-care quotes.
Throughout the years; as I traveled the self-care pathways I began to realize (probably at first on an unconscious level) that despite the deep breathing exercises, massages, and me-time activities I participated in - I still struggled with restlessness and anxiety! Then, God, in His still small voice, reminded me that I was not spending time first and foremost with Him - I was rushing out the door in the morning with a quick prayer; rarely spending time in His word.
As I began to implement a daily devotional life and spent more time each morning under His care, I became impressed to step back from some of my go-to methods of self-care and replace them with more time in His care.
And, as I continued to increase my daily time in His care through bible readings, hymns, and taking time to start my much overdue goal of reading the Conflict of the Ages series front to back, fruits of the Spirit began to bud and flourish in my life, and I experienced self-care in Jesus that was bigger than anything the world could offer.
A solid hour or more spent every morning in devotional time with God fed and satisfied my soul with a true rest and peace. Jesus filled my broken and leaky cup with the living water, that I may never thirst again. “Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
“Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love.” Steps to Christ, p. 94.1 "Let the soul be drawn out and upward, that God may grant us a breath of the heavenly atmosphere. We may keep so near to God that in every unexpected trial our thoughts will turn to Him as naturally as the flower turns to the sun. Steps to Christ, p. 99.4
May we all daily, before we check our emails, social media, text messages, practice self-care, or read the news, first prioritize time in Jesus' care, as the ultimate form of self-care. - Many Blessings, Sharon
