Self-care isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the golden key to keeping ourselves rejuvenated and ready to pour love into others. Today, we're diving deep into what self-care really means, because let’s face it, the internet has turned it into a hot mess of spa days and guilt trips. We’re here to bust those myths wide open and get real about how self-care is all about maintaining our own well-being so we can show up for our people with joy and energy. Spoiler alert: it’s not about being selfish or ignoring your own needs in the name of holiness. We’re unpacking how Jesus set the ultimate example of balance, reminding us that even the Son of God took time to recharge.

Episode Highlights

• Self-Care: is it just a buzzword?
• What Self-Care is NOT
• What Self-Care Actually IS
• The Greatest Commandments and Self-Care
• Make true, biblical self-care a part of your daily life

Resources Mentioned

• Free Coffee Chat with Rachel
• Mark 1:35 - “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
• Matthew 22:37-39 - “He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Related Episodes You Might Also Like

• EP 4 - The Best Way to Avoid Burnout
• EP 9 - The Purpose of Hobbies with Holley Gerth
• EP 13 - The Value of Intentional Rhythms with Michelle J. Goff
• EP 44 - Created Worthy with Danielle Damrell 
• EP 48 - Why Bible Study is Important with Kala Yoder
• EP 52 - Learning to Love Yourself with Rachael Adams

Connect with Rachel

• Website: racheldbaker.com
• Instagram: @rachel.d.baker 
• Email: rachel@racheldbaker.com

It means so much to me that you are part of this community! I never recommend anything to you that I don't truly love and believe is worthwhile. Some of the links I share are affiliate links, and I will earn a tiny commission if you go through them to make a purchase. It's no extra cost to you, and buying through the links I share is one small way you can support this ministry and our podcast. 

Mentioned in this episode:

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You're listening to the podcast where we ask, how's all that working for you?

Because sometimes all you need to change your life is a moment of reflection.

In this space, we are done with sugarcoating and we embrace keeping it real.

I'm your host, Rachel D.

Baker, guiding you on this journey to create some breathing room, set healthy boundaries, and reclaim your time guilt free.

This is real talk with a bit of sass, and we are always seeking the truth in God's word.

If you've been feeling like you're running on fumes, stretched thin, wondering if self care is just some trendy, fluffy, doesn't fit into your life nonsense, pull up a chair, grab your coffee, and let's talk about it.

Today we are diving into this buzzword, self care.

What is it really and just as important?

What is it not?

Because if we're being honest, social media has taken this thing and and twisted it into all kinds of wild ideas.

And depending on who you listen to, you might either feel like you should be indulging in spa days every other Tuesday, or that self care is just selfish and you should be pouring every last drop of yourself into others until you are bone dry.

If you have been here any length of time, you already know how I feel about that last option.

But I want to look at both sides of this coin today.

So let's break it down.

First off, self care is not about being selfish.

It's not about pushing everyone else aside and doing whatever you want just because you deserve it.

I don't know if you've noticed, but that whole me first culture tends to leave people just as exhausted and empty as before.

Because at the end of the day, it's rooted in entitlement.

It's not true renewal or restoration.

On the flip side, self care is also not about completely neglecting yourself.

Some of us have been taught that serving others means completely ignoring our own needs.

That if we sacrifice ourselves to the point of exhaustion, we're somehow being more holy or more loving.

Sis, that is not biblical.

That's burnout.

So what is self care?

Here's the truth.

Self care is taking care of yourself so that you can continue pouring into others.

I'm going to say that one more time.

Self care is taking care of yourself so that you can continue pouring into others.

Emphasis on so that.

Because that's where the real difference lies.

Jesus himself showed us this in Mark 1, verse 35.

He spent time serving, healing, teaching, but he also stepped away from the crowds to rest and to pray.

He knew that to Fulfill his purpose.

He needed to refuel.

And if Jesus, the Son of God, needed time to recharge, why do we think we don't?

I've said it before and you know I'm gonna say it again.

If it's good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me.

Let's also talk about that section in First Corinthians, chapter 6 where it says our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

That means caring for ourselves actually isn't even an option.

It's a responsibility.

If we are exhausted, unhealthy, spiritually drained, how can we possibly serve?

Well, spoiler alert, we can't.

So it's crucial.

It's vital it matters.

And then the last place in Scripture I want us to look, Matthew 22, and I'm looking specifically at verses 37 through 39, because in this section, Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.

That requires spending time with him, prayer, worship, time in his word, time, getting to know him better, communicating with him.

This soul care is the ultimate self care, and it's non negotiable.

And then in that same passage, Jesus says, love your neighbor as yourself.

That little phrase as as yourself implies we should actually be taking care of ourselves too.

If we are running on empty, we can't love others.

Well, if we are constantly exhausted, resentful, overwhelmed.

Are you hearing a trend here?

If we are feeling that way all the time, what exactly are we pouring out?

Because if it's just frustration and burnout, that's not love.

You're not loving other people if that's what you're pouring out.

So what's the bottom line?

Self care is not about indulgence or entitlement.

And it's definitely not about neglecting yourself in the name of sacrifice.

It's about caring for yourself in a way that allows you to keep showing up for your people.

Well, with joy and energy and love.

Isn't that the kind of woman you want to be in this world and for your people?

And if this is something that you struggle with, if you feel guilty for taking time for yourself, or if you don't even know where to start, I would love to talk with you about it.

You can schedule a free coffee chat with me.

We'll talk through how to make true biblical self care part of your daily life and how to do it without guilt.

So until next time, take take care of yourself so that you can keep shining that light.

God loves you, and I do too.