I want to give you permission to do something that I believe many of us don’t assign enough importance to in our lives. We think it’s selfish or trivial. We have a list of other things that need to be taken care of first. We tell ourselves it’s not necessary.
Today, I want to remind you that you have permission tend to your own soul.
If we’re honest, as leaders, our own souls tend to get ignored as we minister to others. We pour out our energy into helping women find healing and hope in their hearts, families, and situations. That’s our calling and something we know is invaluable. It’s kingdom-focused, gospel-centered work. It’s incredibly important and honors the Lord.
But sometimes we need to take the words of life we speak to other women and begin speaking them to ourselves. We need to be reminded it’s OK to examine our own hearts, invest in our God-given dreams, and find the healing we need in our own circumstances.
It’s something that deep down we know is important, but so often it’s the last thing we give ourselves permission to do.
For many of us, it seems selfish to focus on ourselves and take time to invest in our own hearts. But, sometimes the most selfless thing you can do for others—whether it’s the women you lead or your own family—is take care of you.
Even Jesus made time to get away from the crowds and those closest to Him to spend time with His Father and recharge (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12). And I believe one of the reasons He did this is to show us that it’s OK for us to do it too. If Jesus Himself took a break from ministry to rest and focus on His own heart and relationship with the Father, it’s something we have permission to do as well.
So, know that it’s OK to take some time to breathe today. Spend time in His Word and read the truth He has for you there. Take in the encouragement, conviction, and life-giving words you need. Don’t read only to help you prepare for a lesson you’re going to teach later this week or to search for Scriptures you want to share with a woman you know is struggling with a certain circumstance. Spend additional time in the Word for those things.
Instead ask the Lord to show you what you need to hear from Him. Ask Him to speak to you through the pages of His Word. Talk to Him about what’s going on inside of you—the hurts, unconfessed sin, worries, and troubles that you tend to hide as you minister to others.
Look at your schedule and find some time every day to invest in your own soul. It’s something you have permission to do. It’s something you need to do. And I believe the Lord will work in your heart in a way that overflows into your ministry and encourages the women you lead to do the same.
Tessa Morrell is the editorial manager at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn. In addition to her role on staff as a writer and editor, she also has the joy of serving as a volunteer leader of a small group of young adult women each week.