Devotional - Tender loving care

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves because my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Message:

As Christians, we can often feel it’s expected that we choose to meet the needs of others first, and our cares last. Though an admirable notion, it often produces symptoms of exhaustion, tension, stress and anxiety. All consequences of a lack of self -care.

Our inner thoughts might say, “But isn’t self-care selfish?” 

“Aren’t we called to put others first?”

“Isn’t it in giving that we receive?” 

Well yes and no,

God also commands that we care for His Holy Temple – us. We have been made in His image and His likeness. 

God rested on the seventh day and you are commanded to rest; a day set aside for him; times of refreshing; times to be led near still waters; holy convocations to the Lord.

The burden of caring, thinking through sensory needs, working out if it’s a sensory, behaviour or a heart issue can make you weary.

It’s easy to overlook that you deserve to be treated with tender loving care.

Do you know how valuable you are to God?

Tender loving care starts by coming to Him. Surrendering the truth that you are a mum, a dad, a finite being needing infinite wisdom, courage, faith, strength and reassurance.

Your duty may have its challenges but never neglect to put yourself in His loving hands.

Point to ponder: 

Are you giving, loving and serving out of a place of rest?

Prayer pointer:

Heavenly Father God, I confess that at times I neglect to take care of myself as well as I could. I confess that when I move into stress and anxiety that I have lost focus on You. Forgive me and help me to yoke myself with you. I release my burdens over to you with the assurance that you care for me. Thank you, Jesus, Amen!