Have you ever snapped at your kids over something minor, hidden in the bathroom just to cry in peace, or stood frozen in front of a sink full of dishes, not sure what to tackle first—or how to even begin?
You’re not alone.
Author and Spiritual Director Ruth Haley Barton, once shared how while sitting in a boardroom full of Christian leaders planning a spiritual retreat, she suddenly realized:
On the outside, she was being productive and purposeful—publishing books, speaking at conferences, and leading in ministry. But inside? She was bone tired. Her spiritual life had grown thin. Her body was weary and her connection to God was growing faint.
That moment became a wake-up call, not because she had done anything “wrong,” but because she had neglected herself in the process of caring for everyone and everything else.
And maybe your story looks a little different. Maybe you’re not a bestselling author or sitting in board meetings.
Maybe you’re wiping sticky fingers while trying to finish grad school assignments, or calming a child with special needs who won’t leave your side… while also trying to figure out what’s for dinner.
But the soul-weariness?
The spiritual drift?
The aching for space to breathe?
That’s the same.
This post isn’t about giving you more things to do—it’s about recognizing the quiet toll self-neglect can take, and offering small, grace-filled ways to come back home to yourself and to God.
When Your Emotions Start Going Numb
You might not notice it at first. A sigh here or a snap there—then slowly, the things that used to bring joy now feel like noise. You feel like a sliver of your former self. You cry at odd times, or not at all. And hope starts to blur, like a distant light you can’t quite reach.
The Bible and science teach us:
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” — Proverbs 13:12
And deferred hope can quietly become chronic emotional depletion, born from daily exertion that’s never met with restoration. Here’s one gentle practice that can break the cycle of depletion and encourage the habit of renewal:
Start your days with a simple breath prayer, even while washing dishes or nursing your child:
- Inhale: “You are near, Lord…”
- Exhale: “And I am not alone.”
This tiny habit can become a holy lifeline—a way to tether your heart to God, even when you feel emotionally frayed. Try it for a few days and note your progress.
When God Feels Far Away
You used to open your Bible with curiosity. Now, it just feels like another item you’re failing to check off. You want to pray, but you’re not sure how to begin. Or worse, you fear you won’t feel connected to God even if you try. But it’s in this space—this soul-weariness—that we’re most in need of grounding ourselves in the presence of Christ. He says:
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
In my experience, spiritual neglect rarely shouts. It tiptoes in quietly while we’re busy. The Bible gathers dust. Worship becomes background noise. Before we know it, we’ve drifted—not because we stopped believing, but because we stopped resting and delighting in Him.
Jesus also lovingly cautioned the church in Revelation 2:
“You have forsaken your first love.”
Not rejected, but forsaken. The church had drifted and become distant, the same space we often find ourselves when we neglect our relationship with God.
If the Holy Spirit has been nudging you gently for some time, how about trying this today? Pick a Bible verse that’s been on your mind lately. Write it on a Post-it or save it as your phone’s lock screen. Carry it with you throughout your day. Let it interrupt your rush.
Or, if nothing comes to mind, try this one:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” — Isaiah 40:29
Then ask yourself: How is God strengthening me today?
When Your Body Starts Begging for Help
When we are constantly on the go, it’s easy to overlook the ways our bodies are quietly begging for a pause. But if we slow down—even briefly—we notice the tension in our necks, the persistent fatigue, and the sleep that never seems to restore us. How about those skipped meals and the untouched glass of water?
Over time, it all adds up, leading to the kind of burnout and bodily neglect that the Word cautions us against:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…?” — 1 Corinthians 6:19
And, let’s be honest: when you’re running a business, homeschooling, or caring for a child with anxiety, simple acts like stretching or drinking water can feel like luxuries. But this is when we need them most—not for vanity, but for sustainable wellness.
You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just begin with one simple act of care today:
– A glass of water with lemon
– A 10-minute stretch with worship music
– A 20-minute nap without guilt
This is how you begin to listen to the temple God gave you. And yes, this is worship too.
When Relationships Start to Fray
I once had a client who told me she knew she was burning out when her husband asked if she was mad at him—for the third time that week—and she honestly didn’t know. She was so depleted she couldn’t tell if she was angry, tired, or just… done.
When we’re stretched thin, even the people we love can feel like just another item on the to-do list. Our marriages get hollow. Our kids get leftovers, and our friendships start to feel like too much work.
If that sounds familiar, here’s one healing gesture to invite you out of the rut:
It may seem small, but presence is where connection begins again.
A Better Way: Faith-Based Self-Care Is Sacred
Let’s reframe what’s happening here.
You’re not failing at life. You’re just in need of more nourishing rhythms.
And self-care — real, God-centered self-care — is one sacred pathway to accomplishing that.
Let’s tend to our minds, bodies, and spirit in the way that God often dispositions His heart towards us:
“He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart…” — Isaiah 40:11
That’s what sacred care looks like—gentle, present, and protective.
For the Christian mom, self-care doesn’t only look like bubble baths and spa days (though those have their place). It also looks like sacred pauses, honest prayers, and tiny sips of truth when your heart is dry. It also means recognizing when you’ve been carrying more than your soul can bear.
Sometimes, what you may need most is another pair of eyes and a safe space to sort through what’s weighing on you — a friend, a mentor, or a coach.
Start small today. But you don’t have to stay stuck.
You’re Invited to Coach With Me…
If this post stirred something in you—if you’ve been nodding along and thinking, “This is me”—then maybe it’s time for more than just another tip or verse. Maybe it’s time to uncover what’s truly keeping you from nurturing the woman God made you to be.
✨ Coaching with me is not about achieving perfection.
It’s about embodying presence, reevaluating process, and re-encountering peace. Together, we’ll name what’s pulling you away from rest and rediscover the life you long for—and the one God lovingly desires for you. You’re a beloved daughter of God, and He’s still writing your story—rest, renewal, and all.
📚 More to Nourish You:
– Read: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton
– Listen: The Next Right Thing podcast by Emily P. Freeman
– Reflect: Choose a “sacred pause” at 2pm each day to simply breathe and say: “I am held.”