My friend, if you're not able to take care of yourself, I want you to know that you're not alone. As a pastor, I've seen many people struggle with their own self-care, and it's a heavy burden to bear. But I want to remind you that you don't have to carry that burden alone. As the Bible says, "pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints of God, and pray for all men" (Luke 11:5). That means praying for yourself, too, when you're struggling to take care of yourself.
It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we're the only ones who can take care of ourselves, that we're the only ones who can fix our own problems. But the truth is, we're not alone. We need help, power, from outside of ourselves. As the Bible says, "Physician, heal thyself is a strategy doomed to fail" (Matthew 9:12). We need to look to Jesus, to link our feelings to an obligation to love and care for others, even when we're struggling to take care of ourselves.
As a husband and father, I've learned that taking care of others is a big part of taking care of myself. When I'm caring for my wife Susan, my son Joshua, and my daughter Rebecca, I'm not just serving them, I'm also serving myself. I'm reminded of the importance of community, of being part of a larger body that can support and care for each other. So if you're struggling to take care of yourself, don't be afraid to reach out to others, to ask for help and support. And don't forget to pray, to ask God to guide and strengthen you in your time of need.