Self Care Check-in

The day of giving an account to our Maker is coming.

This fact used to terrify me, paralyzing any movement for fear of getting it wrong. Standing firm in the gospel, though, that same fact can spark the most joyful, free, effective, wholehearted living available, and yield an incredible harvest. Don’t believe me? Just review the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

Among other things, we’ll stand and answer for how we stewarded ourselves—the kind of shepherding we provided to our minds, bodies, and souls throughout our days on earth. Because all of creation belongs to the Lord, and we are included in all of creation, we belong to the Lord. (It’s spiritual math.) Therefore, He cares deeply about how we steward the various aspects that make us human.

In a way, believers are even more God’s property than everyone else. The blood of the Lamb purchased us, so we belong doubly to Him. We are not our own; we were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Because this is true, self care gains a stronger, richer place in our lives; we don’t selfishly pamper our cravings—we faithfully keep ourselves primed for maximum fruitfulness.

With this concept as our background, let’s put on our self-shepherding hats. Ready? Grab a journal and spend some time reflecting on the following questions.

• How am I doing spiritually? What’s working? What needs repairing? What needs clarifying? What needs ditching?
• What does spiritual health ultimately look like?
• What steps do I need to take to get from where I am to full vibrancy?
• What pertinent resources do I already have access to? What resources do I need to find/create?
• What one goal can I set this month to grow toward spiritual health?

• How am I doing physically? What’s working? What needs repairing? What needs clarifying? What needs ditching?
• What does physical health ultimately look like?
• What steps do I need to take to get from where I am to full vibrancy?
• What pertinent resources do I already have access to? What resources do I need to find/create?
• What one goal can I set this month to grow toward physical health?

• How am I doing mentally? What’s working? What needs repairing? What needs clarifying? What needs ditching?
• What does mental health ultimately look like?
• What steps do I need to take to get from where I am to full vibrancy?
• What pertinent resources do I already have access to? What resources do I need to find/create?
• What one goal can I set this month to grow toward mental health?

Springtime is perfect for this kind of evaluation. Make a cup of coffee, head outside, and bask in the fresh green bursting forth all around. (Bonus: the kids can play in the yard while you get some serious heart work done.)

After pondering and recording your answers, be sure to add each of the three goals to this month’s calendar with any mini-deadlines. As Will Mancini says, “Experience is not the best teacher; evaluated experience is.” I would take it a step further and say that evaluated experience won’t do much good if you never act on it. With God-powered goals constantly propelling you toward a thriving life, you’ll be fueled up for sustainable fruitfulness over the long term.

The day of accountability is coming. Because of Jesus’ finished work on our behalf, the question is no longer, “Will the Lord accept me into heaven?” but, “How much kingdom good can I do on my way to heaven?”

Let’s push faithfully onward in the abundant life Christ offers. If we steward our minds, bodies, and souls well and make the most of every opportunity, imagine how enthusiastically the Father will greet us with those beautiful words from Matthew 25:23:

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.