All roads led to Vegas this past weekend literally. My aunts and couple of my first cousins flew in from different places, and we met there for what turned out to be an unforgettable trip.
This was my first time in Las Vegas, and honestly? I didn’t know how much I needed it until I arrived. We had the absolute best time, from incredible food to amazing shows, we soaked it all in. But the highlight? My experience at Canyon Ranch Spa at the Venetian Resort.
I’ll be honest, I’ve had massages before, but this was different. I didn’t even know Canyon Ranch was one of the largest spas in the world until I arrived, and from the moment I walked in, I understood why. The entire space was breathtaking. The waiting room, the ambience, the wellness cafe where you could nourish your body after treatments. Every detail was designed to help you truly escape and rest. And that massage? Hands down the best I ever had in my life.
But here’s the thing that hit me as I sat in that beautiful space, finally exhaling after months of caregiving, responsibilities, and just life: I felt guilty. Even in that moment of peace, a small voice whispered, Should you really be here? Isn’t this a little selfish?Maybe you’ve heard that voicer too.
As Christian women, we’re often taught that putting ourselves last is the ultimate act of love and faithfulness. Rest can feel indulgent. Self-care can feel worldly. Taking time away even for something as simple as a spa day or weekend trip can feel like we’re neglecting what really matters. But what if we’ve been believing a lie?
But what if rest isn’t selfish at all? God, in his infinite wisdom, actually designed us to need it. Taking care of ourselves – our minds, our bodies, our spirits, isn’t just okay; it’s necessary.
Today I want to explore what the Bible actually says about Christian self-care and rest. Not what culture says. Not what guilt says. But what God’s Word says. Because the truth might just set you free to finally rest well without the weight of shame.
The Lie We’ve Been Told
When Did Rest Become Selfish?
Somewhere along the way, we’ve started believing a lie that putting ourselves last equals holiness. But that’s simply not true. God never designed us to run on empty, constantly giving until there’s nothing left. He wants us to experience biblical rest, not burnout.
Here’s the truth many of us need to hear: we cannot pour from an empty cup.
When we’re burned out we have nothing left to give. We can’t love well, serve well, or show up for the people who need us, whether that’s our children, our spouses, our aging parents, or our communities. As a caregiver myself, I know this reality all too well. The only way I can continue to care for others is by making sure I’m replenished and rested.
Yet so many Christian carry this deep-seated guilt about rest. We’ve been taught that rest equals laziness or selfishness. We believe that being “on the go” all the time, saying yes to everything and running ourselves ragged somehow makes us more faithful, more godly, more loving. But that’s not what God’s word says.
In fact, God designed rest. He modeled it for us. And he commands it not as a suggestion, but as part of how we were created to function.
God’s Word on Rest
Consider these powerful truths from Scripture:
Genesis 2:2-3 – ” By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing : so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all his work of creation. If God Himself rested after creation, don’t you think we need rest too? He didn’t rest because he was tired. He rested to set an example for us to establish rest as sacred.
The Sabbath Command
Exodus 20:8-10 – Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. God’s design commands rest, not suggest it. God gave the sabbath as a gift, not a burden.
Jesus Example of Rest
Mark 6:31 – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.Jesus saw his disciples wearing themselves out in ministry, good holy work and his response wasn’t “push through” or “pray harder.” He said, ” Come away and rest.”
Matthew 11:28-30 -“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus invites the weary, that’s you, that’s me, to come to Him for rest. Not after we’ve earned it. Not when everything is done. Right now, in our weariness, he offers rest.
Psalm 127:2 – “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat for he grants sleep to those he loves.” God grants sleep and rest to those he loves. That means rest is an expression of His love for us, not something we have to feel guilty about.
The message is clear: God rested. Jesus rested. And he wants us to rest too.
So why do we keep believing the lie that rest is selfish? It’s time to replace that misconception with the truth of God’s Word. Rest isn’t laziness, it’s obedience. It isn’t selfish, it’s sacred. And it isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Biblical Self-Care vs. Worldly Self-Care
The Difference That Changes Everything
Now that we’ve established what God’s Word says about rest, let’s address an important distinction: biblical self care is not the same as worldly self-care.
The world tells us that self-care is all about us, our comfort, our pleasure, our escape. It’s often temporary, surface-level, and can even become self-indulgent. Scroll through social media and you’ll see self-care portrayed as endless shopping sprees, wine every night, or treating yourself with out limits or intention.
But biblical self-care is different. It’s rooted in stewarding the body, mind, and spirit God has given us so that we can love Him and serve others well. It’s intentional, restorative, and always points us back to the One who created rest in the first place.
Here’s the key difference:
Worldly Self-Care:
- Focuses only on self
- Seeks temporary escape or distraction
- Can become indulgent or excessive
- Often leaves us feeling empty afterward
Biblical Self-Care:
- Honors God by caring for the body he gave us – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- Restores us so we can serve better and love others well
- Is intentional and purposeful
- Fills us up so we can pour out
Biblical self-care recognizes that we are stewards of our own lives. When we rest, we’re not being selfish, we’re being obedient to God’s design. When we care for our bodies and minds, we’re honoring the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Rest is Sacred, Not Selfish
Here’s what I want you to remember: biblical self-care isn’t about escaping your life, nit’s about restoring yourself so you can show up better in it. I experienced this firsthand on my trip to Vegas this past weekend. Between the spa at Canyon Ranch and quality time with family , I came home feeling renewed, not guilty.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. When we care for them we honor God. So wherever you are today- exhausted, burned out, or running on fumes – hear this: God invites you to rest. Not after you’ve earned it. Right now. Rest demonstrates obedience, not laziness. It honors God, not selfishness.
Take the time you need. Honor the body God gave you. Let him restore your soul. You don’t have to do it all. God never meant for you to carry everything alone.
