Aftershock - Take Care of YourselfSample

Practice Self-Care

Women usually underestimate the benefits of self-care, especially when they’re overwhelmed as they try to hold their families together. But taking care of yourself is necessary for you to move forward. Only on this stable foundation will you be able to start building a healthier future.

There are many ways to take care of yourself, from something as simple as taking a walk to something that requires more planning, such as taking a trip. In addition to engaging in activities you enjoy, let’s talk about seven steps to self-care.

The first is to develop a support group. Self-care and receiving care from others may seem like opposites, but they are actually two sides of the same neglected coin. All of Scripture is about relationship: your relationship with God and your relationships with other people.

You desperately need safe and trusted prayer partners of the same sex to help you through this difficult time. Because you’re extremely vulnerable right now, it’s important to avoid leaning on someone of the opposite sex or anyone to whom you might be romantically or physically attracted. Ask for God’s help in deciding whom you should trust with your personal and marital information and your feelings.

Many wounded women either tell no one, or they tell anyone who will listen, which only adds to their problems. The depth of friendships varies greatly. You may have friends you enjoy being with, but you wouldn’t share personal problems with them. Seek out a handful of friends that you can trust with important issues in your life, including the most painful ones – friends who will be there for you at any time, listening attentively, and responding with sympathy and wisdom. When you’re too weak to keep walking, this small group of sisters in Christ will come alongside you to support you. They can be trusted with your confidences and will pray for you without ceasing. Talk to them regularly. Let them know what you’re going through and lean on their support. If you don’t have any deep relationships like this, connect with a mature Christian woman who is willing to walk through this with you.

Next, we’ll look at step two to self-care: perseverance.