I’m going to start this whole post with this: self-care isn’t a bad thing if it means taking care of your mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual health. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is seek professional help – be that a pastor, counselor, or medical doctor. I am not a professional!
Self-care is a whole thing right now, isn’t it? I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I find self-care kind of tricky. As a wife and mother, on top of my other roles and responsibilities, the logistics of self-care, as seen on Instagram and Pinterest, just don’t work for me. Yes, I should be taking care of myself. I need to be healthy in all of the ways so that I can continue to give my best to the people in my life, but sometimes there’s no room in the schedule or in the budget. I have my ways of feeling like myself again – getting exercise, being creative, spending time with my people, but sometimes I need to feel better than myself.
What if self-care isn’t about feeling like myself, but feeling like who I am in Christ?
In order to BE who I am in Christ, I must understand what that means. I’m doing a deep dive into what the Bible says about who I am – who we are – as people who are IN Christ. If you’ve spent any time in the Word, you know it is rich and full. There are many places where I am described by God. He tells us exactly who we are because of Him. This list is in no way exhaustive, but here are 40 truths I have found so far:
- I am loved. Romans 5:8
- I am at home in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:8
- I am a member of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27
- I am free. Romans 8:2
- I am born of God and the evil one does not touch me. 1 John 5:18
- I am holy and without blame before Him. Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:16
- I am His masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10
- I am a co-heir with Christ. Romans 8:17
- I am a temple of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19
- I am redeemed and forgiven. Colossians 1:14
- I am adopted. Ephesians 1:5
- I am complete in Him. Colossians 2:10
- I am alive. Ephesians 2:5
- I am far from oppression and will not live in fear. Isaiah 54:14
- I have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16, Philippians 2:5
- I have the peace of God. Philippians 4:7
- I have the Spirit of God in me. 1 John 4:4
- I have wisdom of Jesus. Ephesians 1:17-18
- I have the power of the Holy Spirit. Mark 16:17-18
- I have authority and power over the enemy. Luke 10:17-19
- I am a new creation. Colossians 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17
- I forgive others. Luke 6:36-38
- I can do all I need to do with strength from Christ. Philippians 4:13
- I am chosen. 1 Peter 2:9
- I am transformed. 1 Peter 1:23
- I am dead to sin. Romans 6:11
- I am more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37
- I am an overcomer. Revelation 12:11
- I am equipped. 2 Peter 1:3-4
- I am an ambassador – part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people. 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Peter 2:9
- I am the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
- I am the light of the world. Matthew 5:14
- I am rescued. Colossians 1:13
- I am rooted and established. Colossians 2:7
- I am healed. Isaiah 53:5
- I am whole. 1 Peter 2:24
- I am saved by grace. Ephesians 2:5-6
- I am seated in heavenly places. Colossians 2:12
- I am strong. Colossians 1:11
- I am persevering. Philippians 3:14
- Click the highlighted sentence to see other posts.
So, while you get that massage or paint a canvas (one of my favorite self-care activities), meditate on these truths and see if you feel cared for after that.
Let’s take it a step further though.
Over the coming weeks I will be sharing ways we can tangibly access these truths to care for ourselves. Yes, we should feel comfort from these truths! We should feel these things about ourselves because God says they are true! We should find comfort and rest and security here so that we can share these truths with the people in our lives.
What truths does God say about us that aren’t on my list? Let me know what I’ve left out that is important to you!
