12 Rules for Life (Days 1-4)Sample

Day 2: Care for Yourself the Way You Care for Others

Scripture: Mark 12:31

"Love your neighbor as yourself. There's no commandment greater than these."

Quote from Jordan Peterson: "Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping."

You've heard it said to love your neighbor, right? But there's another part of that commandment that we sometimes overlook – "as yourself." This is where the real challenge lies. We are called not just to care for others but to care for ourselves. It's a powerful call that resonates deeply with Jordan Peterson's encouragement to treat ourselves as someone we're responsible for helping.

Think about Elijah in the wilderness. After his victory over the prophets of Baal, he was physically and emotionally drained. He was fearful, running away from Queen Jezebel's threats. In that moment of despair, God sent an angel to nourish him, not once but twice. Elijah had to eat, rest, and care for himself to continue his journey. It's an essential lesson for you and me.

Hello! Are you still with me?

We often put ourselves last on the list, don't we? We pour out for others, sacrificing our time, energy, and sometimes even our well-being. While serving others is beautiful and vital, we must remember that we can't pour from an empty cup. Caring for ourselves is not selfish; it's necessary. It's about respecting the temple God has given us. It's about recognizing that if we're worn out, depleted, and run down, we're not going to be much help to anyone else. It's about understanding that self-care is God-care.

Let's dig a little deeper into this thought with these questions:

• How are you caring for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually? Are there areas where you might be neglecting yourself?
• What does it mean to "love your neighbor as yourself"? How does this align with caring for yourself the way you care for others?
• How can you find a balance between self-care and caring for others? What practical steps can you take to ensure you're nourishing yourself?

Let's take a page out of Elijah's book. Let's recognize that there will be times when we need to rest, eat, pray, and recharge. Let's understand that caring for ourselves is not optional but vital to loving and serving others well.

Affirmation: "Today, I choose to care for myself as I care for others. I recognize that self-care is God-care, and I commit to nourishing my body, mind, and spirit so I can love and serve others well."

Take a moment today, friend, to pause and take stock of how you're doing. Recharge your batteries. Treat yourself with the same love, care, and attention you give to others. It's not only okay; it's commanded. It's part of loving your neighbor and walking this journey of faith.

God's got you, and He cares for you. Embrace His love and care for you today.

God bless you big time!