Christian Self Care Tips for Hard Times: Asking for Help and Finding Rest in God
How many of us wear "strong" like a badge? Maybe you’ve said it too—"I’m fine, I’ve got it." But in the real world, Christian women juggle a lot—Christian community for women. Family, faith, community, all on top of our own hurts and needs—finding God in hard times can carry us through. It can feel like too much. But I’ve learned, sometimes the most faithful step is asking for help and letting yourself rest. In this post, I want to share real, honest spiritual self care tips from what I’ve walked through, especially when life feels heavy.
Why Is Self-Care Hard When Life Feels Overwhelming?
Let me tell you about this season, spiritual rebuilding after setbacks is possible with honesty, intentional habits, and daily connection. Honest truth: our family has walked through a storm lately. My daughter’s health diagnosis flipped our world upside down. We spent days in the hospital. I spent nights just hoping for a few hours of sleep. Like many of you, I kept putting my own wellbeing off for "later." But here’s the thing—later doesn’t always come, trusting God through waiting can shape our hearts.
So why do we push through, never asking for help, even as Christian women who know better? I think there’s a lie that “good Christians” never break down. Or that it’s selfish to care for ourselves. Can I tell you something? God values you. He cares for your every part—yes, even your body and soul. Christian self care tips are not selfish; a Christian approach to mental health means prayer and therapy working together for real healing. They let you keep showing up for the people you love, and gratitude practices for healing can renew your heart.
How Does Asking for Help Fit into Christian Self Care Tips?
I remember when I realized I couldn’t keep pretending to be unbreakable. There’s something beautiful about letting a friend see your struggle. And asking for help isn’t weakness. That’s community. That’s what God made us for.
Some of the best christian self care tips I’ve learned start with one phrase: Building authentic Christian community—it might be as simple as letting a friend bring a meal, calling someone to talk, or accepting you can’t do it all. In our recent podcast episode, I shared how my friends (and honestly, my husband too) have stepped in to care for me—sometimes by just saying, "You need to rest." We can’t do this alone. Trusting God with family decisions is essential as we navigate medical and life choices. God wants us to lean into our circle, to let others be His hands and arms to us, deepening relationship with God.
Truth from Scripture: God Welcomes Our Weakness
I love how the Bible reminds us of grace in the middle of our mess. Romans 8:26 (CSB) says, "In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings." Weakness isn’t failure. Jesus steps right into the middle of it, often through the gentle care of others. Christian self care tips aren’t about checking out. They’re about letting God use others to renew us.
What Does Real Rest Look Like for Christian Women?
Rest is hard. I’ll be the first to admit it. My default mode—keep going. But rest is not optional. In fact, real christian self care tips put rest at the center. Rest means letting go just for a moment. It can look like a walk outside. It can look like stopping for quiet, with no agenda other than being still. Sometimes, it’s listening to worship while your mind is tired and you just can’t pray another word.
Rest also means saying no. That one is tough for me. But I’ve learned the hard way—rest makes space for healing. It lets you keep going. When you say no, you say yes to something else—your sanity, your health, and often, your family.
Simple Self Care Practices That Make a Difference
- Go for a walk, even if you feel drained
- Let worship music fill your home
- Thank God for one, small moment of grace each day
- Say no to one extra task this week—protect your margin
- Reach out to a friend and simply ask for help
In the hospital, I noticed something. Every person who visited noticed peace in our room. It wasn’t because of anything in our family. It was God’s presence, showing up in worship, in gratitude, and in small acts of kindness. This is what christian self care tips look like—letting grace fill your space until it spills over.
Can I Be Faithful and Still Need Self-Care?
Does this sound familiar? You worry that caring for yourself is selfish. I get it. For so long, I treated self-care as the last thing on my list. But true christian self care tips aren’t about pampering. They’re about stewardship—caring for what God gave you, so you can be there for others.
Faithfulness doesn’t mean pushing yourself to the breaking point. Jesus himself paused to rest, to pray, to eat, to step away from crowds. We can follow His example. Let your self-care be an act of trust. It says, God, I believe you can carry what I lay down.
Biblical Grounding for Self-Care
Psalm 34:18 (CSB) says, "The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit." God is close to you. He lifts you when you can’t lift yourself. He sends people your way, sometimes even a stranger, to remind you that you are not alone. This is grace, not guilt. Rest and help are gifts, not flaws.
Simple Ways to Practice Christian Self Care Tips Every Day
You don’t have to overhaul your life to start experiencing peace. I want to offer a few ways that have helped me stay grounded, especially on the hard days. Maybe some can help you too.
Daily Practices to Nourish Your Soul
- Start your morning with one Bible verse (even if it’s the same one all week)
- List three small things you’re thankful for (write it or share at breakfast)
- Let go of guilt for resting—say it out loud, "Rest is good for my soul"
- Take 10 minutes in silence, just breathing and being with God
- Ask a friend to pray for you, even when you can’t find any words
These christian self care tips don’t look flashy. But they work. Over time, they turn empty into hopeful. They make space for peace where there once was anxiety.
The Power of Small Shifts
Sometimes, peace arrives in the middle of the fog. It won’t always make sense. The world might feel noisy or upside down. But God’s grace is steady. If you practice even one small change this week, you’re moving forward. That’s victory.
Why Christian Self Care Tips Matter in Community
Asking for help and resting isn’t just for you. It models healthy living for your family, your church, your community. It says, "I value what God has given me." And it opens the door for others to do the same. We need each other, especially in the hard seasons.
Can I encourage you? Let a friend see you in need. Pick someone safe, someone who loves Jesus and loves you. When you are honest, you give them permission to do the same. And isn’t that what real community is about?
Reflections from the Podcast
During our recent episode of "Perspectives Into Practice," I shared what life really looks like right now. Hard things. Unanswered questions. And still, God’s presence. If you are walking through a difficult season, maybe some of my story feels like yours. I hope you can borrow a little hope from me today.
Moving Forward: Gentle Self Care That Glorifies God
I know it’s tempting to wait for life to calm down before caring for yourself. But you don’t have to wait for perfect circumstances. Even in the hospital, peace found me in small ways. Little reminders that God was there and that I still mattered to Him.
Here’s my one challenge: pick one thing from these christian self care tips and give it a real try this week. No guilt. No shame. Just small trust that God wants to meet you where you are. You don’t have to do everything at once. Small shifts in perspective lead to real change.
Before you go, I want to remind you—peace doesn’t always come with perfect clarity. Sometimes it’s just enough for today. God’s mercies are new every morning. That promise is for you, right now.
If you found this helpful, I’d love for you to listen to the latest episode of "Perspectives Into Practice". Let’s walk this out together, one step at a time.
And if you need prayer, or just want to talk, reach out. We need each other. You are not alone.
