As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
Psalm 42:1, NIV
Whether written or unwritten, our daily lives are run by some sort of schedule. Those of us with families not only manage our personal schedules, but also that of spouses, kids and other family members. When we sit down to plan our day or week, we make sure to make time for everything – meals, work house chores, paying the bills, sleep, school activities, homework, etc. However, there is one area we do not make time for, and that is our spiritual lives.
Fellowship
Spiritual self care is more than the few minutes of daily prayers and devotional studies we are able to squeeze in. Daily living takes so much from us emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically, etc. Over time, we find ourselves spiritually parched and running on fumes. At that point, a few minutes a day is not enough to give us what we need. The only thing that can fill us is quality time spent with God, in other words, fellowshipping with God.
Spiritual Self Care
There are three major ways to practice spiritual self care:
- Prayer is not something we should engage in when we are afraid or troubled. supposed to be communication with God, and communicating involves speaking and listening. When we pray, we should also make time to listen and receive from God. Prayer does not have to be a formal event at church, but can be done in your home or anywhere. The most important thing is to be in a distraction free, quiet environment.
- Praise & worship are also ways we communicate with God. The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). A good praise & worship session strengthens and refreshes the spirit, and is also a means of fellowshipping with God.
- Another form of spiritual self care is consistent Bible study. I do not mean those moments when we skim a Bible verse, browse through the day’s evotion and call it a session. What happens is that by mid day, we do not even remember what we read in the morning. Bible study is more than just reading the Bible but actually receiving the message in it from the Holy SPirit. If we read the verses and do not learn anything or receive any revelation, that is time not well spent.
For each and everyone of us, a spiritual retreat is needed. A spiritual retreat can be a day long, a couple of days, a few weeks, etc. The most important thing is to schedule time for a spiritual retreat. Schedule time to pray, study the Bible and have an occasional spiritual retreat. In this year, make sure that you clear space in your schedule for spiritual self care, so that you are always charged and ready for whatever storms life blows your way.
Prayer
Father, grant me the strength and the will to make quality time for you and I in my schedule. Father, help me to maintain your place as the center of my life and the core of my family, in Jesus name.
By: Chizobah Morah
Chizobah is a God fearing, crochet loving, book devouring, speaker, accountant and writer. Knowing God has been the most amazing thing that has happened to her, she wakes up each day, grateful for his mercy and eager to share his goodness with everyone.
You can read more from Chizobah at her website Words that Inspire.