Why in the World Would I Make Time for “Self-Care”?

Does anyone else feel like self-care is the first thing to go when life gets crazy?

Whether your busy season looks like motherhood, postpartum, work, school, and never-ending to-do lists, it can feel almost impossible to prioritize our own needs. 

Does it even matter?

In some Christian circles, self-care is questioned altogether. Some people believe it’s selfish. 

Ever heard that? I have. And I’ve wrestled with it.

Here’s what I’ve learned.

Is Taking Care of Yourself Actually Selfish?

It’s true—self-care can be selfish if it’s taken to an extreme. If it’s about indulging at the expense of others, ignoring responsibilities, or making comfort the highest priority, that’s not balanced or healthy.

But is caring for yourself inherently selfish?

Let’s break it down:

Self-care = caring for yourself.

That’s it. And if we wouldn’t hesitate to tell someone else to rest, eat well, or take time to reset, then why do we act like it’s wrong for us to do the same?

Could it be that we’re misunderstanding what self-care actually is?

What If Loving Others Starts with Loving Yourself?

One of the biggest mindset shifts for me came from reflecting on Matthew 22:39.

Jesus tells us that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

Then He follows it with something powerful:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

That phrasing assumes we’re already loving ourselves well.

If Jesus calls us to love others as we love ourselves, then what happens if we aren’t actually loving ourselves?

If we neglect our physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being, doesn’t it make sense that it would be harder to love others in their needs fully?

Even Jesus Stepped Away to Rest—So Why Don’t We?

If anyone had an excuse to keep pouring out without stopping, it was Jesus. People followed Him everywhere, desperate for His help. Yet He still made time to step away.

When the disciples were so busy ministering that they “had no time even to eat,” Jesus didn’t say, Push through! Keep going! Instead, He told them:

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” – Mark 6:31

After performing miracles and teaching the crowds, Jesus withdrew to pray and be alone (Luke 5:16). He modeled what it means to serve wholeheartedly while still making space to be filled up.

If Jesus—God Himself—took time away to rest, why do we think we don’t get to?

When Burnout Doesn’t Make You More Holy—It Makes You Less Present

Somewhere along the way, many of us have absorbed the message that pushing through exhaustion is noble. That serving without stopping is a sign of holiness. That taking care of ourselves is selfish.

But let’s be honest—what does not taking care of ourselves actually result in?

• It makes us short-tempered instead of patient.
• It makes us resentful instead of joyful.
• It makes us numb instead of present.

Yes, there are times for noble sacrifice—times when we must give beyond what feels comfortable. But running on empty long term isn’t a badge of honor.

God never asked us to burn ourselves out to prove our love for Him or for others.

What if Caring For Yourself Actually Honors God?

When we hear “self-care,” it’s easy to think of bubble baths and spa days. But real self-care is less about pampering and more about stewardship.

Your life is a gift. And stewarding the gift of life God has given you, is truly, not in the least bit, selfish. On the contrary, stewarding the gift of life you’ve been given is selfLESS and ultimately allows you to love others well too. 

It doesn’t have to be extravagant. It just has to be intentional.  Caring for yourself can be viewed as an act of love and honor to God for the gift of your life, transforming your ability to be fully yourself, live a life of abundance, and love others well. 

Cheering you on as you pursue caring for yourself and others well!

-Lizzy Hollwedel