Faith-based Self-care!

2 Timothy 1: 7

Moving Forward with Intention and Grace

As I reflect on incorporating faith-rooted self-care practices into my life, I realise it’s less about perfection and more about yearning for God's presence in my life. It’s about showing up for myself with kindness and faith, even on hard days, days when I do not understand. This kind of showing up has more to do with who strengthens me now. I started this blog post in 2020, very confident that I can write, I can express and it matters enough to be recognised. But I was not quite sure how this kind of self-awareness projects and should project for that matter. I was not ready for the power, love and self-control in me - that needed a lot of maturity.

In 2023 I wrote about self-compassion - and I shared this - You must believe that you too deserve good favour no matter how hard things happen to be. To be kind to yourself is an act of rooting for yourself within, before others, even through very notable borders standing before your progression. I believe it is this kind of expression that was expressing the love and power the Holy Spirit imparts. It is however, only in this year (2026) I am comprehending this in spirit. I think when I was self-discovering back then - my self-care was not as faith-based. It was rather a radical move to be noticed in the world. I am finding that it was one of those seasons where God was working in me, but I believed more in my own capabilities, research and experiences to fully get that everything about me needs to be about His Glory. I probably must have had different intentions. One of my intentions where about me fighting for myself and to be seen(validated) for sure- when clearly the war is not physical or for the physical. There was a lot of lacking self-control. I had no peace within. I felt misunderstood. Selfishness and self-gratification as well. Very naive - for a born-again.

A carnal mind is a danger.

 A lot goes wrong when you do things spiritually unaware. When you are a victim all the time. When you need to be right all the time. When you are loving the sound of your own voice, God's voice you won't hear. When you are doing good to impress others, God is left wanting I believe. Being conceited sometimes is subtle because it is not dressed with bad intent. It is rather at times dressed with spiritual neglect and simply lack of knowledge. Not knowing what the word of God says is deadly. When the word is heard but not practised. When church services are attended but the spirit is never moved. Where prayers are prayed but not believed in. Where God continues to answer No but denial causes us to say He is just delaying. His thoughts and ways not being those of ours needs a lot of spiritual awakening to be at hand. It needs a lot of growth in discerning. Maybe you’ll try a new practice tomorrow, or simply pause to breathe and pray. Maybe you’ll create a sacred space or reach out to a faith community. Whatever your path, know that caring for your soul is a vital act of love, power and self-control. And Self-care is truly a spiritual welfare matter.

So, what small step can you take today to honour your spirit? How might faith-based care transform your experience of self-love, power and control? For me - my self-care journey took a turn to a deeper connection with the Lord by shaping a different route from just what a doctor prescribed, a psychologist helped comprehend about myself, a loved one shared with me to feel I belong or an enemy made clear the detest about me. It all became about what God says about me and what He says I should and shouldn't be about. No other book has my attention lately but the Bible. I see God dealing with me precisely and publicly. No room to hide. I suddenly have no energy to convince. I do not just write now – I should be moved and compelled by an experience. For the first time I am living the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:7 (keep quiet when it is not time to speak). I experience people’s reception of me and their actions differently now. I am faster to remind myself it is not always about me but maybe just them.

Self-care became more about learning to keep quiet when I could defend myself. More about praying and give God's will the platform to perform miracles - patience without manipulation and grumbling. There is a lot I am learning that is not new but rather just not about what I want but need. What one needs is not always pleasant. Even a breakthrough has some breaking in it. Being at peace started costing a lot of comfort not so long ago. Serving others demands I lose a need to control their reception of me. And, Invest in Yourself - it matters -you matter turned into who I matter to. I matter to God -You Matter to God.

The journey is ongoing, and every step matters. Here's to more humbling experiences and growth, with self-control. Thank you for sharing this moment of reflection with me. May your path be filled with peace, purpose, and the gentle light of faith in the Lord.

Livhuwasha