Humans are blessed with minutes and hours to spend each day. God has given us enough time to do all the things that are necessary. You have all the time you need for every activity that can be done within a given day.
You are valuable to God. With all the responsibilities He has assigned for you, it should be clear that He cares for you deeply. God wants you to take good care of yourself. He has provided verses for you to read and meditate upon that will help you make time to do essential things for yourself.
Here are some verses about taking time for yourself:
1. Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NIV)
That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
12 Bible Verses About Taking Time for Yourself
When Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were captured and brought to Babylon, they were given royal food to eat. However, Daniel refused to eat it. Instead, he requested vegetables. They chose to eat food that would be good for them. They were cautious about what food they chose to eat.
While there are plenty of food choices, you can do what Daniel and the other noblemen did. Eat a balanced diet. Eat more vegetables. In the Old Testament, the promised land of the Israelites flowed with milk and honey. Learn what foods are good for you, and eat natural foods as much as you can. Plan your meals and eat a variety of foods in moderation. Cook your favorite food. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner in a specialty restaurant or have healthy food delivered to your door. Eat your way to good eating moments by taking time for yourself.
2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
12 Bible Verses About Taking Time for Yourself
The Spirit of God lives in your body. You are not on your own. God is pleased when you take care of your body, as He wants you to have a healthy body. One of the healthiest ways to take care of your body is through exercise.
You should exercise regularly, at least three times a week. Select an exercise pattern that interests you and feels like a good fit for you. You may start with just seven minutes and increase that duration over time. Engaging in sports is good for your body. Choose a sport that you enjoy doing. Engage in exercises and sports that will encourage you to take time for yourself.
3. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:
12 Bible Verses About Taking Time for Yourself
A person may think there are too many things to do in a day and may get overwhelmed or feel pressured to deliver. Stress may come, which could have a strong effect on performance, but take heart, as God has set time outs and even exits.
When you have finished a number of tasks that have made you exhausted or drained, an adventurous way to take time for yourself is to travel. Jesus often traveled and went to different places. You can take short trips or schedule a few days off to travel and fill your life with wonderful experiences. Traveling contributes to your physical, emotional, and mental wellness. Learn new things while you travel, as it is another way for you to be enriched, to explore, and to marvel at the diversity of the places in this world. Travel gives more relevance to taking time for yourself.
4. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
God has designed you differently. He has great plans for you and has planted dreams and godly desires within you that you should aim at accomplishing. Along with those dreams and desires comes the self-discipline you will need to have.
With every task that you undertake, it’s vital to be disciplined in the use of your time. If you can, make a “to-do list” or mark your calendar with all of your responsibilities. Following a schedule is valuable because when you stick to your schedule, you are able to care for yourself more easily. Organize your thoughts and actions. Avoid anything that will make you stray away from your established discipline. When you do, you will truly have a better sense of direction and be disciplined enough to achieve your goals, allowing more time for yourself. Being disciplined makes the pursuit of taking time for yourself worthwhile.
5. Acts 20:32 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness,
12 Bible Verses About Taking Time for Yourself
To take care of yourself, your mental health must be nourished. Many great men in the Bible benefited from reading the scriptures. They grew and were enriched as a result of reading the Bible. More so, they had purposeful and fruitful lives.
God would not have inspired people to write the Bible if it was not good for mankind. Reading strengthens not only your mental health and your memory but also your emotional well-being and spirituality. Take time to read it. Set a committed time to go through the word of God. You may benefit even more by reading it after waking up and before going to bed. Reading encouraging books, articles, and magazines will further help in taking care of your mental health.
6. Mark 6:31 (NIV)
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.”
12 Bible Verses About Taking Time for Yourself
With all the tasks at hand and with the goals you must meet, God wants you to take a break. When you come to him, he will give you the rest that you need. Just like Jesus and his disciples, you deserve and can have a good rest.
To enjoy meaningful rest means unloading your burdens and worries onto God. You can take a nap or get a good night’s sleep. You may rest by listening to restful, relaxing, or uplifting music. Watching a heartwarming story can also touch your heart. Using aromatherapy will be good for you while you rest. Going for a short walk in nice surroundings is invigorating. Remember, for every piece of work that you do, there is a corresponding amount of rest you should take. So, take your rest when you can.
7. Psalm 18:34 (NIV)
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
12 Bible Verses About Taking Time for Yourself
Though our God is a God of goodness and blessings, he allows both good and evil things to happen. He gives us permissive will. Man, in his imperfections, may fall and make mistakes.
When bad things are happening, God provides a way to protect and defend yourself. You can protect yourself from the arrows aimed at you by individuals. You can resist the temptation of slipping into vices. You will be better equipped to say “no” to harmful invitations and enticements. Jesus said that you have been given the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions without being harmed. In addition, you will be able to avoid stressful moments, thus providing space to take time for yourself.
8. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
God created all things and has given you all that you need and sometimes what you want so that you can enjoy life. God wants you to have a happy and savory life. Anything can be enjoyed so long as it is in accordance with the word of God.
God designed us to have moments of enjoyment and gladness. You can have a fun hobby without having to feel guilty. God is your father, and he created you for joy and merrymaking. Do what you love doing. If you want to sing, then sing. If playing the piano or the guitar makes you happy, then do that. Every good hobby will move you towards taking time for yourself.
9. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
The world is filled with deceptions. People can lie, twist the truth, or simply hide the truth. However, God holds the truth and is the truth. He will make the truth prevail.
The Bible reveals that you are the light of the world. Jesus gave you that light. Your light can shine bright enough for you to distinguish and see the truth about things. With Jesus, you can think about all the truth, goodness, and positivity in the world. When things get dark around you, focus your attention on Jesus, who he is, and what he is about to do in your life. Reflect on his promises, and you will gain a better perspective. Doing this will help you take care of yourself a bit more.
10. Luke 11:28 (NIV)
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
God has placed many commands in the Bible. They were given by God not to burden people but for the good and betterment of everyone.
Obedience to God is needed when it comes to taking care of yourself. As the Bible says, you will be blessed when you obey. The grace of God abounds when there is obedience. Noah built the ark in obedience to God so he and his family were kept safe. It may be challenging to obey what God says, but it will do you good. As you obey, you will be staying on the path of blessings.
11. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
God accepts and continues forgiving you. He has forgiven you countless times and will continue to forgive you for as long as you live. He forgives you because you need it and because he loves you.
One of the best ways to take care of yourself is to set yourself free from any heaviness of the heart. Break free from bitterness, grudges, and ill feelings. Jesus himself exemplified forgiveness towards the people who had hurt him while he was hanging on the cross. Give yourself peace and a healthy heart by forgiving someone.
12. Matthew 14:23 (NIV)
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
Spending time alone with God is the greatest way to take care of yourself. Jesus himself showed this during his time here on Earth. He would spend substantial amounts of time with his heavenly father.
It is written that Jesus is life. God wants you to imitate Jesus. He wants you to take care of yourself by sharing quality prayer time with him. You can only be recharged and prepared to face challenges when you constantly get in touch with God. Victory will come to you when you talk to God and allow him to talk to you. Listen to the messages he has for you.
Conclusion
Your life is precious because God made it, and there are certain things you need to do to take good care of yourself. However, do not be burdened; God has given you functional ways to live your life with care. Live your life, remembering that it is a valuable gift from God, and you will have a meaningful existence living under his guidance and grace.