Hello, Dear Readers!

I had planned to write another blog about organizing your home, but I just spoke at a women’s conference where my topic was pampering, or rather, taking care of ourselves. I think it’s vital, and I hope it ministers to you.

There are three ways of pampering ourselves: Physical, Emotional/Mental, and Spiritual

The first, of course, is Physical. I know this is what most women enjoy doing! We enjoy getting facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures.  Perhaps we can go to a spa or go hiking in the woods. However, beyond the enjoyable ways of pampering our physical selves, we also need to remember to eat well, sleep well, and stay active. And we all know that. It’s putting into practice what we know we should do.

Did you know that taking care of our physical bodies is in the Bible? The Song of Solomon talks about how the bride takes care to beautify herself for her husband. In the book of Esther, the young virgins had to undergo a twelve-month beauty regimen before they were presented to the King! And in Proverbs 31:22, the Proverbs Woman took care of herself and made beautiful clothes. We need to remember that maintaining a good appearance involves keeping ourselves clean and wearing fresh clothes.

The second type of self-care involves taking care of one’s Emotional and Mental well-being. So, how do we take care of ourselves this way? By living with the fruits of the Holy Spirit in us! Galatians 5:23 lists these as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The opposite of these are the types of actions that are the worst in a person: anger, hostility, jealousy, selfishness, envy, and meanness.

I know I’m not walking with the Spirit when I start to criticize a person, use a bad word, or have negative thoughts about others. That’s when my mind must make a choice, and I immediately ask the Lord’s forgiveness and to fill me with HIS thoughts!

Women, we are the thermometers in our homes. How we act and react can set the tone for the present and future of our families.

What can help you do this? By claiming Philippians 4:6-7 as a life verse: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

When we pray and have gratitude, we cannot be critical or sinful at the same time.

Action Plan

1. We need to eliminate bitterness, anger, jealousy, and unforgiveness from our lives. I can’t emphasize this enough! If we allow bitterness to come into our lives, we will get a root of bitterness growing in us. Hebrews 12:15 says, “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
   
   Unforgiveness and bitterness are the twin emotions that Satan can use to wreck God’s children, their lives, and their families.
   
   
2. We need to leave all envy and jealousy behind us. These types of emotions can cause you to focus on what you do not have, rather than all the blessings God has given you. I always wanted to be a successful real estate agent. But God had other plans for me, so why should I be jealous of those who are successful? It’s so pointless because God has such beautiful plans for all His children.
   
   James 3:14-16 says: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
   
   
3. We need to manage burnout. In our fast-paced lives, it is easy to burn out either with your job, raising a family, or those who are doing both. Trust me, I’ve been there! It’s so easy to think all our good works are good but when we aren’t doing all of them great, then we need to drop some. We must get off the hamster wheel and ask God daily what He wants us to do.
   
   One way to manage burnout is to make time for rest on the Sabbath. God knew we needed a day off!
   
   
4. Remember to be thankful and grateful every day. These two emotions can significantly impact your life. Gratitude is strongly linked to higher levels of happiness, reduced stress and anxiety, and a more positive outlook. They help train the brain to focus on the positive aspects of life.
   
   
5. Rest in God’s Presence each day. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know I am God.” What a simple but profound verse! And when we are with God every day, we will have peace, which the world lacks. Peace is more valuable than any amount of money. Work on having a cushion of calm in the center of your lives.
   

Spirituality is the third and most important aspect of self-care. Because when we start to nurture our spirits, our whole being can become the person God created – a person who lets God’s light shine out into the world’s darkness.

God loves beautiful things. Just look at all the colors He has put on the birds, animals, and insects in this world! The flowers, plants, and trees. And for His children? God wants us to possess inner beauty, choose our words well, and serve Him gladly.

We never have to look like the women in magazines. They aren’t even real pictures! This verse in I Peter 3:3-4 explains the beauty God wants for you:

“Your beauty should not come from (just) outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in god’s sight.”

I also believe that God wants us to focus on our inner beauty as we get older. Our world culture tells us to keep and look young. But God says in 2 Corinthians 4:16:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

Yes, we aren’t as pretty as we get older, but how wonderful that we are getting more beautiful in our Spirit!

And that is the most essential part of self-care.