DAY 6: A God-Informed Lifestyle

A few steps might help you be better at self-care, or soul-care, if you will:

First, assess your core needs.

In Matthew 15:32, Jesus says, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” In this moment, Jesus performs a miracle to feed thousands of people. Instead of preaching to them first, He meets their immediate need—food. This act shows us the importance of addressing core needs. Jesus demonstrates that caring for basic needs is essential, not optional.

Your basic needs—food, clothing, shelter, sleep, exercise, safety, work, community, play, friendship, affection—are never too small or insignificant. Yet, we often neglect them. Many of us get stuck in routines that overlook these essentials, undervalue them, or take them for granted. Remember, if God says you need it, you need it. Recognize the importance of expressing your needs and, when possible, providing for them. Caring for yourself starts with honoring the humanity God created in you.

Next, acknowledge where you have voids.

When we neglect our basic needs, voids are created—spaces of emptiness or longing that can feel normal because we’ve carried them so long. Honest self-reflection is crucial to identifying these voids. Mark 6:31-32 tells us, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”

Jesus noticed the exhaustion of His disciples and urged them to rest. Even in His demanding ministry, He made time for solitude and renewal. Similarly, acknowledging your voids is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity to restore and replenish yourself. You are valuable and worthy of care. Taking time to reflect with God can reveal the areas where you’re running on empty and guide you to the rest you need.

Finally, organize your process.

Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Jesus made quiet time with God a priority, modeling intentional self-care through prayer and reflection.

Organizing your self-care process begins with aligning your heart with God. Prayer serves as the foundation for understanding what your rest, fun, relationships, and overall well-being should look like. For me, starting and ending the day with prayer provides a sense of balance and connection with God. Through prayer, God will guide you in designing a self-care process tailored to your current season of life.

When we care for ourselves with intention, we align with God’s design for us. Self-care is not just for our benefit—it equips us to better care for others. By embracing a God-informed lifestyle of self-care, we reflect His compassion and demonstrate His glory to a world in need of Him.

Answer these questions and reflect on your answers:

1. How do you view rest in your life? Is it a priority or an afterthought?
2. In what ways can you create a rhythm of rest in your daily routine?
3. What activities help you recharge and rejuvenate your spirit?

Affirm and declare these statements:

I recognize that rest is a gift from God, and I will embrace it.

By resting, I honor my body and spirit as God’s creation.

I will find joy in resting and recharging so that I can serve others.

Pray in petition to God to pursue His will and way.