Surprising Reasons to Take Care of Yourself First

Anyone who has flown in an airplane has heard these words: “Please place the oxygen mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.” Of course, this is an extreme emergency if putting on your mask is necessary. In our daily lives, there are several important reasons to take care of ourselves first.

Take care of yourself first so you can take care of others

So many demands–work, family, children’s activities, and social events, to name a few. Our minds strive to make life easy, so repeating unhealthy actions form habits. Therefore, eating fast food on the run wins out over cooking healthy meals. Sitting on the couch is effortless compared to going to the gym. Soon, the years slip by. And you wake up and wonder “how did I get here?” Overweight, tired, low on energy, short on time, stressed out and perhaps even in ill health because of chronic inflammation.

For example, compare this situation to walking on a treadmill, moving but not making progress. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT).

Instead, be intentional. Take care of yourself first now, not later. Develop healthy habits. Otherwise, you may not be available in the future to the people who depend on you now.

Take care of yourself first to fulfill God’s purpose for your life

God created each of us for a unique purpose based on our S.H.A.P.E. (spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences). Each one of us is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

As Paul wrote in Ephesians, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).

Previously, I thought the “good things” in this verse meant being a missionary in a foreign country like Mother Teresa, an evangelist like Billy Graham, perhaps a pastor of a church, or even a famous writer like C. S. Lewis.

But now I realize “good things” include more modest responsibilities: taking care of our families, playing with children or grandchildren, helping a neighbor with yard work, volunteering in the church or community, visiting those in nursing homes or taking care of aging parents. Therefore, achieve the energy to fulfill your God-given purpose by taking care of yourself first.

Conclusion

God decided on your unique purpose when He created you. Therefore, to fulfill that purpose and take care of others, strive to take care of yourself first.