SELF-CARE AND WELLNESS

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved…” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Holistic SELF-CARE and WELLNESS are fundamental to Personal God-glorifying Impact: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 The.5:23). A holistic approach to Self-care and Wellness implies nurturing our whole being – spirit, soul, and body. Such a framework for Christian wellness transcends superficial or worldly self-help practices. This care is not a selfish act but a form of stewardship that enables us to positively impact others and our world.

The human spirit is that part of a person that connects with God (Jh.4:24). He is the Inward Man: “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the INWARD MAN is being renewed day by day” (2Cor.4:16b). Paul prayed for Believers to be “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the INNER MAN” (Eph.3:16b). 1 Peter 3: 3-4 describes the human spirit as “the hidden person of the heart.” The wellness of the spirit involves nurturing an intimate relationship with God through spiritual devotions such as: worship, prayer and fasting, meditation, scripture study, praying in the spirit, and followship with brethren.

The soul is the self, comprising the mind, will, and emotions. In caring for the soul, positive thoughts – “whatever things are true, ...noble, ... pure, ...lovely, ...of good report....” – help us to cultivate peace and reduce anxiety (Phi.4:8). Through renewing the mind and emotional regulation, we can process our feelings in healthy ways, such as through journaling, to foster resilience and prevent burnout (Rom.12:2). Our Lord modelled taking time for personal Rest and Reflection: “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mk.6:31); “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (Lk.5:16).

The human body, as the temple of the Holy Spirit, should be treated with honour (1 Cor.6:19–20). Physical self-care is an act of stewardship and includes: Proper nutrition: Eating healthy – a balanced diet to fuel and nourish the body; adequate sleep and rest to allow the body to refresh, recuperate and restore itself; regular exercise to build strength and improve mood.

The personal and interpersonal effects of practicing holistic, biblical self-care are significant, and include the following:

Preventing burnout: Consistently tending to multidimensional needs keeps us from feeling depleted by the demands of life.

Improved resilience: Nurturing our whole being helps us bounce back from setbacks and better overcome daily stress.

Sense of purpose: As we grow spiritually and mentally, we develop deeper root of faith and a clearer sense of life meaning.

Greater capacity to serve: By caring for self, we are better equipped to serve others from a place of strength and “overflow” rather than a place of depletion.

Healthier relationships: When we’re well-established, we can engage more empathetically with those around us.