Women in today’s culture wear many hats. We cook, clean, and care for the family’s needs, all while balancing a career, ministry, or volunteer work. Some say women are genetically predisposed to caregiving. Others would say it’s because we are socialized from the time we are born. But regardless of why this is the case, women are under a lot of stress. In fact, we should wear a cape instead of our many hats. It’s no wonder rest and self-care have become such hot topics in today’s culture.
Self-care has become necessary in the busy, stressed lives of women today because women get so busy focusing on the needs of others they neglect to care for their own. And, not surprisingly, the number one advised activity on almost every self-care checklist is rest. But did you know rest is Biblical? The Bible mentions rest 548 times. One of the most famous bible verses about rest is, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3, ESV) This verse paints a beautiful, tranquil image of rest in our minds. Additionally, it reminds us rest is more than sleep. We need rest and restoration for our souls.
Self-Care for the Soul
But we must remember our soul has three parts: mind, body, and spirit. Our body is our physical self. Our soul encompasses our mind, thoughts, will, emotions, personality, and imagination. And our spirit is our innermost self, the source of our identity and connection with God. Hence, soul care is different from self-care. Self-care involves caring for our physical, mental, and emotional needs. Rest for the soul also involves caring for our spirit. Therefore, my self-care challenge for you is to care for all three components of your soul: physical, mental, and spiritual.
Physical Rest
Physical rest is a crucial component of the body’s fluent functioning. Rest for the body encompasses many things: rest from work, nutrition, sleep, and physical safety or protection.
The Sabbath
God rested on the seventh day as an example for humankind. “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:3, NIV) God knew rest was such an important ingredient for life and good health that he made it one of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:8)
Later, Jesus saved us and set us free from the requirements of the law of the Old Testament. However, the wisdom of these laws remains, and we’re invited to continue enjoying its rest. “So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:9-11, NLT)
Nourishment and Sleep
Eating, drinking water, and sleeping are essential components of physical rest. The Bible shows us how God provides these essentials for his people. God provided manna and quail when the Israelites were in the wilderness and said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14) God also provided food and rest for Elijah. “Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” (1 Kings 19: 5-6, NIV)
Safety and Protection
Today’s world is full of tough times and gives us plenty to fear. “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)
We can remember what Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) We may rest in hope knowing the Lord is a shield for us. (Psalm 3:3) Like David, we can say, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8, NIV)
Rest in Nature
When we need a break, we can take a walk, fill our lungs with clean air, and get out into nature. Seeing all God has created can be nourishing and restful for our souls. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?” (Job 12: 7-9, NIV)
Mental Rest
Rest for the mind is letting go of our endless to-do lists and overthinking. I believe God gave us the season of autumn as a reminder. The beautiful fall trees show us an important part of survival is letting things go. When we release our overactive thoughts into God’s capable hands and trust His good plans, we can rest mentally. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3-4, NIV)
The only way we can keep a “steadfast mind” is by replacing our racing thoughts with the Truth and promises of God’s Word. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)
Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest does not depend on one’s activity level or circumstances. Rather, spiritual rest is trusting God in all circumstances. Those who rest in the Father’s love can experience deep peace even while being busy.
A beautiful picture of trust and rest despite circumstances can be found when Jesus calmed the storm. “Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:23-26, NIV)
You might think, “Well, of course Jesus could rest, He was God and had supernatural powers within Him.” But, friend, so do we! We have God within our spirit. Additionally, Jesus gives us rest. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV)
Take Jesus Yoke and Find Rest
The key to finding peace and spiritual rest is connecting with God’s Spirit. Jesus even told us how when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30, NIV). You see, the way to be yoked with Jesus and find spiritual rest is to live connected to Jesus.
Therefore, being yoked with Jesus means abiding in Jesus. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV) So, when we start abiding in Jesus and stop controlling everything in our own strength, we will find spiritual rest.
Everyone has responsibilities in life, and keeping up with them can be stressful. Abiding in, or being yoked to, Jesus allows our souls to rest. It makes the difference between peacefully thriving and merely surviving. Staying connected to Christ also relieves feeling alone while facing life’s burdens.
Practical Ways to Abide in or Be Yoked To Jesus
* Make time for silence and solitude.
Sometimes, we just need to go off on our own and recharge our batteries. We can take an example from Jesus. He often went off alone. “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.” (Mark 1:35 (ESV)
Jesus even encouraged his disciples to rest in a quiet place. “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:30-3, NIV)
* Do some soul-searching.
When we are weary, it may be time to ask ourselves: What burdens are we carrying? Are we carrying burdens beyond our control? The only things we can control are our thoughts and actions, whereas people, places, and most things are beyond our control.
* Pray.
Praying helps us find peace by releasing our burdens about the people, places, and things we can’t control. We can, however, pray God’s will over them. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)
Praying leaves room for trusting God. We may not hear or see an answer in the moment or the way we imagined. But we know God hears our prayers and has good plans for His people. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:12, NIV) This allows us to let go of the weight and burden of worry.
* Forgiveness
Carrying the burden of unforgiveness is like carrying a heavy boulder. The pain of guilt and shame not only weighs us down but feels like a tight fist gripping our hearts.
We can ask God to examine our hearts, confess the sin He reveals, and repent, just as King David did. “ Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23-24, NIV)
We can also release the burden of unforgiveness toward others. The Bible reminds us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV). Forgiving others does not mean what they did was okay, nor does it release them from the consequences of their actions. Rather, forgiving others means trusting God will handle the justice. And it frees our souls.
* Rest in God’s arms.
When we feel the need to escape the chaos, demands, and drama of everyday life, we can seek God and feel His presence, listen for His voice, or worship Him. “His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.” (Psalm 91:4, TPT)
* Read the Bible.
When we read the Bible, we fill our minds with God’s love and truth. We can remind ourselves about God’s character, who He is, and what He is capable of. We can remind ourselves who we are in God’s eyes. Finally, we can remember God’s promises and declare them over our hearts and minds.
Self-Care Challenge
Friend, just as gasoline fuels an automobile, our weary souls require rest to replenish and our weary souls. So, let’s challenge ourselves to give our souls the rest they need in our busy world. I hope the pictured Self-Care Challenge list helps you remember some of my ideas and gives you a few more ways of caring for the physical, mental, and spiritual parts of your soul.
God said, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10, NIV) This was His loving way of reminding us to stop overdoing and overthinking and start abiding and trusting in Him. When we do, we will find peace and rest for our souls.
