Why Self-Care is Important for Loving Others

Jesus challenges us in the Gospels to “love your neighbor as yourself.” But what if you struggle to love yourself? How can we pour ourselves out for others if we are not first filled up?

Today Fr. Mike challenges us to properly order our love for others, namely willing the good of the other by first willing our own good and setting clear boundaries so that we can love more fully.

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[ChildofGod]

Jesus, I still trust in you even though I’m struggling paying bills and providing for my children, I was so ashamed I felt like a failure until I found Jesus. I lost my job because I declined the vaccine. I declined because of my pre existing health condition (Lupus) and Heart disease. I was denied my medical/religious exemption from Forsyth Hospital. My husband passed away three years ago, I’m a single mother. Both of my sons are autistic, they require a lot from me. Every month is a struggle, a battle to not end up on the streets. I’m so depressed and embarrassed by my situation. I post my story all over to spread awareness of what mandates are doing, not just to myself but to many other families. I’ve been put down and mocked because of my circumstances even criticize because I post my story, it truly hurts me. BUT even after all these things. GOD HAS PROVIDED. He has sent strangers to help me. I’m forever grateful! This is my testimony! GOD HEARS PRAYERS! EVEN as I face homelessness seemly every month with two young children. GOD SHOWS UP IN TIME to save me and my boys. ALL GLORY TO GOD OUR Heavenly Father Thank you Jesus.

[gracerizza]

I struggle with understanding where selfishness ends and self care begins.

[COisfake]

Jesus says to love others as you love yourself. Pure genius and Godly wisdom. I believe it should be about the same.

[ShmurplesArePurple]

Jesus took time for himself a bunch in the Gospels and I think it's really important to remember that. The savior of the world, a literally perfect man, took time to himself and took care of himself as well as allowing others to take care of him

[dannineharkins]

I'm your Protestant sister. This is the best thing I've ever heard. I'm a CNA and I love giving to others because it makes me feel good. I had difficulty with boundaries. I have not always taken care of myself well. It was a false humility. Thank you for your godly talk. I will care for myself better.

[mtshrhr]

I struggle a lot with self love. I am always the one that cares and loves everyone except myself. Thank you Fr. Mike!

[urbard]

Struggling with taking care of my Mom and an Aunt both in tneir 80s. I'm the sole caregiver and provider. There are days when I feel so tired, so stressed and so unappreciated. Listening to Fr. Mike made me stop and appreciate that self care is not being selfish. And that God has always provided for us. For that, I am eternally grateful to our Lord. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️

[brendapeter]

One of Fr. Mike's best videos!!! So necessary in our day & age. People in our modern era are very proud, i.e. broken, and have such a hard time letting God love them. They don't realize that it is the key to becoming holy!

[wildcard]

For anyone who is reading this. Pray for me and many more who struggle with utter self hatred and negative thoughts especially in a state of mortal sin. Pray for us. This temptation of self isolation and thoughts about everyone saying hurtful things to me and to the point of abusing myself mentally by hurting myself by telling myself horrible things is mentally, physically nd spiritually crippling. It hurts my heart and my soul. Its become a habit of mine. Whenver i feel like someone is neglecting me (i probably just feel it and the person or people are just midning their own lives) I got cruel to myself because I know nd i believe that there something rong with me but instead of seeking hope, I seeks despair and self hatred. Ever since I fell to one mortal in, i kept cycling down, down. Although there are times i have been lifted up by he LORD significantly and greatly but this self hatred, negativity is slowly getting worse day by day, most especially when I thought I have ruined my friendship with someone i like. This self hatred is debilitating and i find myself slowly getting tired of hoping. Please. Pray for me.

Please pray that I nd many more others would be able to get to confession.

[mateo]

The best way to cultivate self love is by making decisions today that your future self will thank you for tomorrow

[ianmackenzie]

Only speaking for myself, I watch after myself, nutrition etc. primarily so that I'm not a burden to others. After that it is to be more helpful to others when they need it. Not taking *proper* care of your body, mind, soul, can be a sin. Proper care isn't selfishness.

[josiahselectricgaming]

Thank you father Mike. I’m Protestant but I truly enjoy your videos. Very encouraging.

[deedlebug]

Thank you so much. After 48 years of marriage I made a New year Resolution to do self-care. I had to if I was going to survive another year. It was the best decision I ever made. No more guilt. Praise God for this wisdom. Thank you.

[berthahernandez]

Unfortunately there is a lot of lack of self-love in this world. Prayers for all to embrace self-love. We are all God’s children. He loves us. Let’s love ourselves and each other 🙏🏼❤️

[BlackWingedSeraphX]

My mom needs to hear this. She wastes time worrying about my dad and doesn't look out for herself.

[kimberlyrose]

Start with the fruits of the Spirit. Show
Love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control to yourself.
✝️

[nicolesneedle]

I am in tears. I am a mother of three (6, 5, and 2.5), at least one of whom is autistic and I very recently discovered I have ADHD. I had been feeling so torn and guilty that I had continued with my childcare arrangement for the summer even after my part time job was put on hold. Feeling guilty that I was having someone else do "my" job despite the fact that my husband and I had been deeply burned out the last few years and even knowing the hold at work was likely Providential... thank you for calling me out when I needed it and please pray that the message sinks in that I too am worthy of care.

[judyr.]

When I was taking care of my elderly mother, I wondered every single day IF and how Mother Theresa took care of HERSELF.

[sammyc]

So very timely! So many people in healthcare need to hear this right now!

God Bless! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[elizabethtrujillo]

For so long I felt that I needed to always show mercy on others who damaged me.. never knowing when to cross the line, let's just say "70 x 7" was reached. As I contemplated on lifting a restraing order for domestic violence my guilt attacked me on seeking revenge and seeing 360 but this video.. Fr.Mike spoke the words that I've needed to hear. This is my testimony 🙌