Caring for others is a sacred calling—but let’s be honest, it can leave us weary. We pour ourselves out daily, often forgetting that we, too, need care. True self-care isn’t about chasing comfort for its own sake; it’s an invitation to rest. Specifically, to rest in the heart of God, who lovingly designed us with limits. Our limitations, our inability to do it all, or our need to pause and recuperate, aren’t flaws to fix; they are grace-filled reminders that we are made to rest, and to depend on the One whose strength never runs dry.

From the beginning, God wove Sabbath into creation (Genesis 2:2–3), calling us to a rhythm of work and rest that reflects his own. This kind of Sabbath rest isn’t an unnecessary luxury; it’s a necessary act of trust which declares that God holds all things together, even when we stop (Exodus 20:8–11; Hebrews 4:9–10). This rhythm points to the deeper rest we find in Christ, where we cease striving and are renewed by his finished work and eternal care. It also looks ahead with hope to the ultimate rest of the New Creation. Jesus, fully God and fully human, lived within God-designed human limits, beautifully modeling this trusting rest—stepping away to quiet places for renewal in God’s presence (Mark 1:35). He also reminded us that rest is not just another item on the to-do list; instead, Sabbath rest was created for people’s needs—people were not made to fulfill the requirements of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).

Self-care, perhaps more easily understood as “rhythms of renewal,” is, then, an act of faith—not an end in itself, but a way to know God, enjoy Him, and sustain faithful living. It’s a bold, grace-filled pause that reorients us to the “hesed”— the steadfast love—of God (Psalm 136), whose care never fails. Yes, bubble baths, nature walks, and quiet moments are lovely gifts of common grace—there is no shame in delighting in them! But proper rest runs deeper. This kind of rest restores us, body and soul, grounding us in his care, so that when we pour ourselves out for others, we draw from the deep well of his abundant grace.