Is self-care prideful?

Dear Child of God,

Ok, this seems like a pretty controversial topic so this will be fun!! But first, I want to start off by saying how thankful I am for your support, and hearing from so many of you literally means the world to me! 

I just got back to Idaho last Thursday, and it has been a busy weekend of catching up with friends, as well as getting my office and room set up for another year of college life. I am so excited to be sharing this blog with you guys because it is something I am very passionate about so let’s jump right in. 

So let’s dive into the deep end. Self-care is a term that sounds pretty selfish and prideful. What is pride though? It is “inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one’s own superiority.. which manifests itself in lofty airs,…and often contempt of others.”, said best by Webster himself. So basing the term self care after that definition doesn’t really seem right. Pridefulness is taking what God has given you and thinking that YOU made it happen, not God. It’s where you think you are better than what God has in store for you, and taking matters into your own hands. Also, if you’re prideful you aren’t often kind or considerate to the needs of others.

I have struggled with this topic so much, because during a few months last year, I began to care less about what the Lord thought when it came to my fitness and a lot of this was reflected on how I managed my socials. I was posting so much about self care in a negative way…. it was ALL about me! I was showing all that I was doing, and not what God was doing in my life. The misapplication of “self care” made me see it in an exclusively negative light, and like many who want to “right the ship”, I just went toward the opposite extreme. Not taking care of myself led to me gaining weight, getting sick more often, and feeling lethargic all the time.  That wasn’t the Lord… THAT WAS ME!   In both instances, and in both extremes, it was all me!

I then realized, it was a balanced outlook that was missing the whole time. And sure enough, I switched from making socials all about me, and focused on God and what He is doing in my life and started sharing and just wanting to talk more about Him in every day life. I actually get more excited to talk about what the Lord has done, and let me tell ya, it puts me in a way better mood. 

He deserves the glory. At the same time, I do take care of my health, with my morning routine, workouts, and running. I haven’t been sick in the last three months, I have lost 15 pounds now, and have more energy throughout the day. All because of GOD! I am so thankful for God and seeing HIM work through my life, not just merely in the physical achievements, but in the emotional and spiritual balance He provides!  

Sincerely,

Bella<3