In a world filled with constant demands, fast-paced schedules, and unrelenting challenges, it’s easy to feel stretched thin, pulled in every direction and left wondering how to find balance. Yet, many of us have been blessed to have learned about divine truths that teach us the importance of nurturing not just one aspect of ourselves, but the whole self: body, mind, and spirit.
This holistic approach to self-care is not just a fleeting trend or some nice words to say. It’s actually been taught by God our Father in Heaven and by our Savior Jesus Christ. When we learn to care for all three elements of our being, we unlock greater peace, strength, and purpose.
The Body: A Sacred Temple
Our bodies are gifts from a loving Heavenly Father. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost and that we are “bought with a price.” Recognizing the sacred nature of our physical bodies inspires us to treat them with reverence and care.
This means nourishing our bodies with wholesome food, getting sufficient rest, and finding joy in movement. It also means avoiding substances or practices that harm our physical well-being. As we strive to avoid addictive substances or practices, and as we strive to care for our body, we are better able to align ourselves with God’s design, and we invite greater health and vitality into our lives.
But caring for our bodies goes beyond physical health. It’s about cultivating gratitude for the miracle of life itself. When we honor our bodies, we acknowledge their divine purpose as vessels to carry out God’s work on earth. We can express gratitude for everything that our bodies are able to do for us daily. And we can allow ourselves to walk day to day filled with love and gratitude for the body we are given and the blessing of being able to care for it and love it.
The Mind: A Gateway to Truth
Our minds are incredible gifts. Capable of creativity, reasoning, reflection and growth. In Doctrine and Covenants 93:36 says; “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.” Caring for our minds means dedicating ourselves to lifelong learning, filling our thoughts with all that is positive, uplifting and good. And seeking knowledge in both spiritual and temporal matters.
In a world overflowing with information, it’s important for us to be discerning. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught, “Seek out the majesty, the beauty, and the exhilarating joy of the truths of the gospel. They will lift your spirits and cause your burdens to fade into the background”. We also read in D&C 88:118 Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
Developing our minds also includes protecting our mental health. Turning to the Savior in times of stress or discouragement, seeking professional help when needed, and surrounding ourselves with supportive people are all ways to strengthen this powerful and amazing gift of our mind, that God has given us.
The Spirit: Anchored in Christ
At the core of everything is the spirit. The eternal part of us that connects with God. Nurturing our spirits involves daily habits of prayer, scripture study, seeking quiet moments and worship. It’s through these practices that we hear God’s voice and feel His guidance in our lives.
The Savior Himself set the perfect example of spiritual self-care. He often withdrew from the crowds to pray and commune with His Father (Luke 5:16). Likewise, we must prioritize time to be still, reflect, and reconnect with the divine.
President Russell M. Nelson said: “Through daily prayer and feasting upon the words of Christ in the scriptures and the words of living prophets, we can receive the Savior’s guidance and protection”. When we invest in our spiritual well-being, we are strengthened to face life’s challenges with faith and hope.
Striving for Balance
Caring for the body, mind, and spirit is not about perfection but about progress. Some seasons may demand more focus on one area than another, and that’s okay. The key is to strive for balance and listen to the quiet promptings of the Spirit, which often guide us toward what we need most.
When we take the time to nurture ourselves holistically, we become better instruments in the hands of God. We are more prepared to serve, love, and fulfill our divine potential.
Heavenly Father gives us a divine invitation to care for our whole beings. Our own individual body, mind, and spirit working together in harmony. By caring for each part of ourselves, we honor His plan and draw closer to Him. As we seek to nurture our whole selves, let us remember the Savior’s loving invitation:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Through Him, we can find true rest, healing, and joy as we strive to care for the beautiful, divine creations that we are. Let us embrace this journey with faith, knowing that we are never alone. & that God has a beautiful plan and purpose for our lives. He loves us and wants us to love, care and protect our whole self. Recognizing that each day comes with a blessing a gift and an opportunity to care for this body, mind and spirit.
I pray that this message will allow you to feel a little more connected to the divine love of our creator and loving Father in Heaven. That you may have a stronger desire to care for your whole self and that you may be a light to others on their journey of loving and caring for themselves as well.
Tonight in class, we will have an opportunity to strengthen our bodies, release stress, quiet our minds and give our spirit a little time to recharge. I hope that you can join us and that you can leave feeling amazing physically, mentally and Spiritually. Love you all & can’t wait to see you there! 💖
Love,
Lili 🌸
