1 Calhoun, A. (2015, Nov. 19). Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. IVP. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
2 Falk, E, et al. (2015, Feb. 17). Self-affirmation alters the brain’s response to health messages and subsequent behavior change. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
Approved by the local outreach coordinator of the Office of Spiritual Life on August 14, 2024.
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The God of the heavens and the earth calls you precious and beloved. He knows every hair on your head, every inch of your skin and every thought that runs through your head. He dwells within us and calls our bodies a house of worship. To me, that sounds like something we are meant to take care of.
Unlike the God of the universe, we require work, rest and boundaries. We are human — finite beings and people with limits. To practice self-care is to remember that God is bigger than us.
Caring properly for our bodies and minds is crucial, especially as college students with jam packed schedules and new independence. Read to learn more about how to practice self-care from a biblical perspective.
So, what is self-care? Author Adele Calhoun defines it as the practice of honoring God through nurturing and protecting the limits/desires of the body, mind and spirit. Calhoun states taking care of yourself can include:1
Some may argue today that self-care is a buzz word that appears selfish — only focuses on glorifying yourself and doesn’t leave space for God. However, the idea of taking care of yourself — physically, mentally and spiritually — is found throughout Scripture.
Let’s look at what the Bible says about practicing self-care:
1. 1 Corinthians 13:16: “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (ESV). Your body is a temple inhabited by the Holy Spirit. If God calls our bodies a place of worship, we should honor and respect our bodies.
2. Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship,” (ESV). Again, we have the ability to worship God with our bodies. We should be working to do so in a way that brings us closer to holiness.
3. 3 John 1:2: “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit,” (NLT). This verse stresses the importance of health in all aspects.
4. 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” (NIV). This verse contradicts the notion that self-care cannot glorify God. While it does benefit us, it ultimately glorifies the Lord.
5. Matthew 22:39: “And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself,” (NIV). The greatest commandment following loving God is this. If we are not loving ourselves well, how can we love our neighbor well? Taking care of yourself is the first step in taking care of others. Rather than pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion, stuffing our emotional pain or ignoring physical symptoms of sickness, God instead calls us to give him our burdens, rest, spend our time wisely and nurture our souls.
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Many college students most likely have the desire to take care of themselves, but maybe lack the tools to properly do so. Here are some ideas to guide you:1
By implementing specific spiritual practices, you may notice the good fruit produced from self-care, such as:1
If you desire to learn more about how to practice self-care in college and its benefits, consider Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health or attending Spiritual Formation workshops. Fill out the form on this page to learn more.
