Take care of yourself

Memory Verse: Psalm 23: 2-3 – “He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.

He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

The Word for Today devotional by United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) says

Learn to pay attention to your body’s signals and emotional responses to the demands you place on yourself.

When you are tired to the point of distraction, you need to slow down and rest. Yes, there are seasons that require extra time and energy, but even in the midst of these seasons; you need to find a way to take care of yourself.

If you constantly ignore your body’s aches and pains, work 24/7, live on ready meals, and run on caffeine and adrenalin, you will get sick and be forced to slow down because you would not take care of yourself.

Knowing your ‘speed limit’ allows you to know when it is time to stop, refuel, and replenish, to restore your energy and your soul. Many of us have abused our bodies for so long that we believe our healthiest days are behind us.

Not necessarily so! No matter how bad your condition is, there is help! Your body has the ability to restore itself. God will work with you and in you to bring you back to wholeness if you follow His guidelines for good health.

Practise doing everything you do for God’s glory, including eating (see 1 Corinthians 10:31). Look at your plate and ask if what you are about to eat is mostly what God created for you to stay healthy.

Make a balanced diet a way of life! Each time you choose healthy foods, you choose life, which is God’s gift to you. Taking care of yourself is not selfish, it is good stewardship.

By eating well, sleeping enough, exercising, and taking regular breaks, you can increase the effectiveness of your life and bring glory to God (see 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).