Personal Leadership with Christine Caine and Propel WomenSample

Self-Care 

You’ve probably heard it so many times that you can recite it along with the flight attendant. We are told that in the unlikely event that there is a loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask will automatically appear and, if traveling with someone who requires assistance, you are instructed to secure your own mask first and then assist the other person.  It makes sense—if you don’t have enough oxygen, you’ll pass out before you can help anybody else. 

Too often, we pour ourselves out to our work, our family, and even strangers without taking care of ourselves. The Bible is full of wonderful teachings about loving and serving others, but it’s also clear that our compassion and care are the overflow of a healthy life rooted in God. We must rest our bodies, restore our souls, and connect to the life-giving oxygen God wants for us.

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.” (Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV).

You can only run for so long before you start growing weary. Recreation is an important part of rest and restoration because it’s literally a way God can “re-create” us. When we rest our physical bodies, experience the beautiful world He has created, or enjoy fun activities with family and friends, we’re not only taking a break from work, we’re making space for God to reshape us. We are strengthened when we make space for Him to remind us of what’s important and to reconnect us to our passion, purpose, and potential. Rest isn’t an accommodation for those who just aren’t mature or strong enough—it’s a gift intended for everyone. God’s original creation included an entire Sabbath for this reason, and He still wants to re-create our hearts as we rest in Him. 

Reflect: What do you find especially restful and replenishing to you, and how can you be more intentional about planning time for at least one of these activities? 

Adapted from Personal Leadership Conversation Series by Propel Women. Reprinted with permission of Propel Women Women. All rights reserved. For more on this topic, visit www.PropelWomen.org.