Devotions for Homemakers to Practice Biblical Self Care

A peek inside this post: Looking for biblical self care for women? Sometimes taking care of yourself as a mom and homemaker is not high on the priority list, but it is so important! This 7 day self care devotional for Christian moms will encourage you and remind you how and why we are to practice biblical self care.

I can feel the “ick” factor rising as you begin to read this, because the words “self care” often invoke a certain level of “blegh”, usually followed by an eye roll, especially amongst the Christian community.

And I get it.

As Christians, we are called to a life of servanthood. We are told to kill our flesh, turn the other cheek,  and lay one’s life down for our friends. We see these instructions in scripture, and are reminded of them often.

That guidance doesn’t really match up with the self indulgent images that might spring to mind when one hears “self care.”

But what about other scriptures?

The ones that give examples of healthy boundaries; The ones that talk about taking care of your mind and body and not overworking yourself; The ones that indicate the importance of rest and not being anxious.

The truth is, taking care of yourself is necessary.

It’s biblical.

Jesus did it and taught it while still wholly sacrificing Himself.

I think the divide here is understanding that self care has to be about more than keeping a secret stash of chocolate hidden somewhere (ssshh: mine’s in my sock drawer) and soaking in a bubble bath once a week.

It’s much deeper than that. It’s much more meaningful than that.

It’s not about taking care of yourself instead of serving others.

It’s about taking care of yourself so you can continue to serve others without it affecting your own relationship with Christ.

If we don’t have enough time to read our Bible because we are too busy running our kids around to their sports and activities, our service to our children has trumped our service to our King.

If we have overcommitted ourselves to volunteering at church and on community boards, we can end up feeling run down. We may even begin to resent those who reap the benefits from our volunteer hours, rather than being willing ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.

If we let our role as homemakers become our whole identity, we can start looking for fulfillment and validation from what others see us bringing to the table, rather than knowing our worth was secured in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So how do we as homemakers, who have chosen a beautiful life of servanthood, balance the practice of self care with all of our responsibilities, while maintaining God as our number one priority?

We have to look at God’s word and apply examples from scripture to our lives.

Really, so much of what true self care/soul care boils down to is actually self discipline. A willingness to say no to some things, even good things, in order to be able to say yes to the right things.

Let’s start with this week of devos and see where it takes us!

How to Use These Devotions about Self Care for Christian Moms

This devo has 7 daily devotions to help you practice self care for Christian moms. Each day consists of scripture with Bible verses about caring for yourself, or that can be applied to the topic, because as we know from 2 Timothy:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

There are also stories and examples of real life application, a notes/journaling section for introspection (in the Book), and a challenge to help you live out these verses and start living out your Godly role as a homemaker!

This devo is part of our Devotional Workbook we sell on Amazon, Heart Change: A Devotional for Homemakers, but you can start reading for free below!

You can complete this short study alone, or maybe with a couple of friends or even a women’s group!

Keep in mind: digging deep, changing habits, and adjusting your heart can take some time. Just because it’s a 7 day devotional doesn’t mean you have to finish them in a week. Allow yourself the time to let it soak in, and take every challenge, prayer, and reflection to heart, sweet friend.

**This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, we may make a commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our full Disclosure Policy for more details.**

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Devotions that will help you apply Christian Self Care as a Homemaker

Day 1: John 4:13-14

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14

Are you good about drinking your water?

If you’re like me, that answer is: no. Most days, I am in a self-induced state of dehydration.

I will go about my day, performing household tasks, and completely forget about H2O.

I usually don’t even realize how thirsty I am until I finally take a swig from my tumbler and can’t stop. I’m always amazed to find out that I was positively parched and didn’t even recognize it.

I didn’t know how much I needed water until I was already drinking it.

If I’m honest, I have become accustomed to feeling sluggish, carrying around a dull, almost constant headache. It’s wild to think of what kind of discomfort we become comfortable living in, isn’t it?

I can tell you this, I definitely feel better on the days I decide to be hypervigilant about my water intake.

The days when I make it a point to drink a full tumbler of water before I even have my coffee in the morning. The days when I purposely wrap several hair bands around the bottom of my tumbler so that I can slide one up every time I refill my water, as a way of keeping track of how much I’ve consumed. The days when I add some frozen fruit to the tumbler in order to keep things exciting and encourage myself to want to drink more.

On those days, I feel amazing.

Clear headed. Focused. Productive. Energetic. Happy.

I’m a completely different me when I’m fully hydrated.

RELEVANCE TO HOMEMAKERS PRACTICING BIBLICAL SELF CARE

Gosh, the parallels that can be made between an earthly thirst and a spiritual one.

 Just as earthly water quenches my desperate thirst, Jesus quenches my desperate soul.

And just as I feel better on the days I decide to be hypervigilant about my earthly water intake, I also feel better on the days I decide to be hypervigilant about my spiritual intake.

If drinking a tumbler of water first thing in the morning starts my day off on the right foot, how much more fulfilling is it when that tumbler of water is sipped while reading the Bible and spending quiet time with Jesus?

If using a simple system to measure my water consumption helps me stay intentional about it all day long, how consistent and intentional would I be if I applied a similar system to a Bible reading plan or meditating on scripture?

If adding frozen fruit to my water makes it more palatable and encourages me to drink more, how much encouragement would be gleaned from a life lived with spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control)?

If the consumption (or lack thereof) of earthly water can have such an effect on my day, my mood, my health, my mind and body, how much greater is the effect when what I’m consuming (or not consuming) is Living Water, Jesus Himself?

CHALLENGE

Create a basic, sustainable system for reading the Word, spending time with Jesus. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or after you put your kids to bed at night, find a plan and be consistent. 

If you’ve read this far, it means you’re already off to a great start. But don’t let this devo be a substitute for the written Word of God. These readings are meant to be an encouraging supplement, not a replacement. If you find yourself with only enough time for one, ditch this devo and pick up your Bible instead.

Honor your soul’s need for Living Water. And while you’re at it, honor your body’s need for earthly water, too. Drink up!

PRAYER

Oh God,

How good you are to provide what we need in mind, body, and spirit. And you supply it in abundance! Thank you for always making it available to me, even when I don’t realize how much I need it.

Help me to recognize my need and run to the fulfillment, your Son, Living Water, that a spring would well up in me.

Forever grateful for your eternal gift in Him whose name we pray,

Amen

REFLECTION

Are you spiritually dehydrated? Do you think it’s possible you don’t even realize how thirsty you are? 

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Day 2:  Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9

You know what I love about this passage of scripture?

Paul, bless him, didn’t just instruct the Philippians (and us) not to be anxious. As we all know, it’s easier said than done to rid ourselves of anxiety. It’s true now and it was true back then.

Paul didn’t leave us with a blanket instruction, but instead went further and told us how we can train ourselves to not be anxious. We are to pray, give it to God, and then think about things that we know to be true, honorable, and lovely.

If we practice these things, Paul tells us the God of peace will be with us.

I don’t know about you, but that sure sounds a lot better than stewing over all the things beyond my control.

RELEVANCE TO HOMEMAKERS PRACTICING BIBLICAL SELF CARE

As homemakers, how many things do we fret about on a daily basis?

We have chores to do, responsibilities to fulfill, errands to run, systems to maintain, schedules to keep.

We have doctors appointments to make, sports and activities to attend.

We have feelings, in addition to our own, to tend to and hold space for.

We often take on the anxiety of our loved ones. Many of us feel it as if it were our own. Even if we don’t actually feel second-hand anxiety, we feel the weight of it and the responsibility of making it better.

Sometimes we worry about scenarios that aren’t even happening in our lives! We make them up or mentally toil over all the horrifying what-ifs.

Some of these examples are within our control (we’ll talk more about the importance of preparation, and other things, on Day 5 of this series), but so many of the things listed have no business being on our shoulders. 

CHALLENGE

Memorize these verses. Make it a habit to recite them, verses six through nine, every day for a month. Yes, a whole month. Set a reminder in your phone, have your husband or kids or friends quiz you until you have it down. (Our scripture cards, included in the printable version, can help!) 

PRAYER

Lord,

Anxiety is such a commonly discussed topic these days. This scripture reminds me that it’s very real, and it always has been. Hoping to disregard anxiety or ignoring it isn’t the answer, but you’ve given us the answer long ago.

Thank you for speaking your words through Paul, and laying out exactly how we can choose to tune out anxiety in exchange for things that are more deserving of space in our brain.

Please help me to focus on excellent things worthy of praise, things that are true and honorable, just and pure, lovely and commendable. And please, oh please, fill me with your peace.

In The Name of the Prince of Peace,

Amen

REFLECTION

What makes you anxious on a daily basis? Do you think reciting and meditating on these verses daily will make it easier for you to follow Paul’s instructions and fix your mind on whatever is true, honorable, just, et. al?

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Wrapping Up Devotions About Taking Care of Yourself

This sample of our devo speaks to the heart of what we hope to accomplish here at Just Homemaking: to be a place where Christian Moms can find Heart Change as they grow closer to Jesus and learn about their Biblical value as a Homemaker.

If you’d like to join us for more Biblical encouragement for homemakers:

• Sign up for our email list and get a free sample of the devotional OR Purchase this full Devo on Amazon: Heart Change: A Devotional Workbook for Homemakers

With stunning pages, this beautiful workbook includes a notes/journaling section for each of the daily reflection questions, scripture cards that you can cut out and display as you impress God’s word on your heart, and an overall lovely yet simple layout that will have you excited to turn each page!

We hope these Devotions about Biblical Self-Care for women encourage you to treasure the gift of Christian homemaking and helps equip you for what God has in store for you in this role!

Read Also:

Soul Care for Women: The Recharge You Need

15 Simple Solutions When You’re in a Funk or Feeling Blah

Resting in God’s Grace: a Quick Guide for Moms

Biblical self care for women