It is essential to understand that God needs you to take care of yourself so that you can care for others.
There is a saying that a blind man cannot lead another blind person one needs the ability to see to be able to help the other efficiently. Therefore, for you to be useful to anyone else, you have to take care of yourself first, and then you can help another.
Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the ideas of others. This scripture reminds you that you are not only looking after yourself but also the interest of others.
Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There are none other commandments more significant than these. Although taking care of yourself is essential we are warned that we must love our neighbours as we do ourselves.
When you take care of your body, your health, and your emotions, it is not a selfish act. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. God has given you the job of taking care of yourself for His sake.
You are a tool of the Holy Spirit that He uses for His purposes. But if you damage that tool by running yourself into the ground until you are tired and sick and emotionally exhausted, then God cannot use you very effectively.
Ecclesiastes 5:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him the power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between the children of Israel and me forever: for in six days, the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. God is warning us that even Him the almighty rested and took care of himself, so He expects the same from his children.
Do not feel guilty about taking care of yourself. God ordains that you do. However, in taking care of yourself ensure that selfishness is never a part of your regime, and you will never use or abuse others to look after yourself. Do so with dignity, integrity and thoughts for others.
