40 Bible Verses About Self Care: Don’t Neglect Yourself!

Updated with MORE Bible Verses! I recently posted about 40 Easy Self-Care Ideas for Busy Tired Moms because Moms are the FIRST to neglect themselves when taking care of their families. There always seems to be some controversy around Biblical self-care. So I wrote this post to stand up for Biblical Self Care… 40 Bible Verses About Self Care: Don’t Neglect Yourself Mama!

It kind of drives me insane when people try to say that Self Care is selfish because it seems so obvious to me that if we do not take care of ourselves FIRST then we certainly have little to give others…emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or physically!

What Does the Bible Say About Self-Care?

Let’s tackle this question first. The exact word self-care is not used in the bible and can look a little different than what we may practice today, but nonetheless…God’s word is clear that we are to take time for ourselves to draw near to Him and care for ourselves.

Self Care is a term that used to be used in the medical community for someone capable of say, going home from the hospital and being able to “self-care” without assistance. The term these days is used for more of a pampering type of title. The truth is, however, without some of these pamperings, boundaries, and caring needs of ourselves…we COULD end up IN a hospital! We need to take care of our bodies. 

That is why it is SO IMPORTANT to know and read God’s word. There are many many examples of self-care scriptures…this post only has such a small amount!

How Did Jesus Practice Self-Care?

One verse we might look at for an example of how Jesus Christ practiced Self-Care is Luke 5:16. It says “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” “he” refers to Jesus. Jesus Christ is our example of all things the Father desires for our lives.

To follow Jesus’ example of self-care spiritually, we must find time to spend in prayer with our heavenly Father…which would involve having boundaries to be alone with the Father.

These are the types of examples you will find in the Bible. Not the words “self-care”. I hope that makes sense!

As Moms and wives, we give emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically day in and day out. We are human beings trying to take care of our people…BUT We need to find a way to practice taking care of ourselves and KNOW that God permits us to do so.

Are there people out there who misinterpret self-care and turn it into so much self-focus that they become selfish…yes for sure!! So let’s not do that! The Bible is clear about God’s love and care of His creation..US. That’s why it’s important to me to share with you, some of my favorite bible verses about self-care.

It’s OK to love yourself as God does! I also created a super fun and Biblical Printable Self Care Bingo with Bible Verses I think you’ll love!

How do you show love to God?

If God loves us, has a plan for us, takes care of us…Died for us…then we must do our part to cooperate with Him. aka…Self Care! So if you are wondering if there is a bible verse about taking care of yourself? Believe it or not, there are many bible verses about practicing Self-Care.

There are tons of ways to show love to God, but one of the most important is that we love others and love God. God also wants us to love ourselves…He created us, my friend! That could be a whole other teaching! So for now…trust me…Self-care is NOT selfish. 

How Can I Encourage Myself in the Lord?

We need to tell ourselves the truth about what God thinks of us so that we can take care of ourselves. I LOVE god’s living Word! It transforms our thinking! Take the Biblical Self Care Quiz for Moms, you’ll find lots of encouragement in 30 seconds!

Free Printable Bible Verses about Self Care for YOU!

Memorize the wonderful Word of God…Look at them daily and remind yourself they are about YOU! Knowing what the truth says is GOOD mental health.

40 Bible Verse Examples of Self Care

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

2. Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

3. Isaiah 64:8 “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

4. Psalm 46:5 “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

5, Daniel 1:8-9 “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,”

6. Luke 5:16 “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”

7. Mark 6:31 “And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”

8. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

9. Philippians 4:6-8 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

10. Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

11. Exodus 18:18-19 “But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.”

12. Matthew 22: 37-39 “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

13. Ephesians 5:29 “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,”

14. 1 Kings 19:4-8 “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree.

And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.

And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”

15. Mark 1:35 “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.”

16. Matthew 15:32 “Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

17. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

18. Romans 12:1 “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.”

19. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

20. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

21. Genesis 2:2-3 “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”

22. Psalm 139: 13-14 “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;”

23. Isaiah 43:4 “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,”

24. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

25. Mark 12:31 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

26. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

27. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

28. Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

29. Psalm 4:8 “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety

30. Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

31. Psalm 34:17 “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

32. 2 Timothy 4:17 “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.”

33. Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

34. Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

35. Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.”

36. Isaiah 40:31 “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.”

37. Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

38. Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

39. Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

40. Psalm 22:19 “But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.”

Notice that many of these Bible Verses are about how much God loves and cares for us. In the same way that He cares for us…we need to practice loving ourselves so that we may love others God’s way.

One helpful thing is to get some support from other women who are also working on Biblical self-care. Be sure and share with your friends! Hold each other accountable, love each other, and serve one another in love until the day we inherit eternal life in Christ Jesus, to the Glory of God.

Enjoy  ooxx

Try making this DIY Self-Care Basket!