Biblical Answer

The Importance of Prioritizing Self-Care

As a Christian, it's essential to recognize that our desire to help others should not come at the expense of our own spiritual and emotional well-being. In fact, the Bible teaches us to prioritize our own spiritual needs before trying to help others (Proverbs 20:18, 19:20). This means being aware of our own spiritual neediness, growing in our knowledge of Jesus, and being eager to learn from others, including those we want to help. By doing so, we can avoid burnout and maintain a healthy, others-centered focus in our lives.

The Dangers of Self-Sacrifice

While it's natural to feel a desire to help others, we must be careful not to become self-centered in our motivations. When we prioritize our own needs over others, we can become man-centered rather than God-centered. This can lead to a repeated emphasis on self-help advice that neglects the importance of serving others. In contrast, a biblical worldview teaches us that true happiness comes from serving others, not using them for our own gain (Proverbs 19:17, Luke 18:1-8). By keeping an others-centered focus, we can avoid the pitfalls of self-sacrifice and maintain a healthy balance between serving others and caring for ourselves.

The Key to Balancing Self-Care and Service

So, how do we balance our desire to help others with our own needs? The key is to recognize that serving others is not a zero-sum game, where one person's gain must come at the expense of another's loss. Instead, we can view serving others as an opportunity to grow in our relationship with Jesus and to experience the joy of giving (Proverbs 19:17). By prioritizing our own spiritual needs and maintaining an others-centered focus, we can avoid burnout and maintain a healthy balance between serving others and caring for ourselves. This is not a selfish approach, but rather a biblical one, as we seek to serve others as a way of serving Jesus (Luke 18:1-8). By doing so, we can experience the joy and happiness that comes from giving, rather than using others for our own gain.