The concept of self-care often gets dismissed in Christian circles as selfish or unbiblical. You might feel guilty for taking time to rest, setting boundaries with demanding people, or prioritizing your mental health needs. When everyone around you seems to need something, when church activities fill every free moment, and when saying no feels like failing God, you wonder if caring for yourself conflicts with loving others sacrificially.
The Bible reveals a different picture. Jesus regularly withdrew from crowds to pray and recharge. He set boundaries with people who demanded his attention and modeled healthy rhythms of ministry and rest. Scripture treats our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, calls us to renew our minds, and emphasizes that we cannot give what we don’t possess. Self-care isn’t selfish when it enables us to love God and others more fully.
These verses offer a biblical foundation for caring for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. They show that honoring God includes honoring the way He designed you to function, with needs for rest, community, joy, and renewal. True self-care flows from understanding your value to God and stewardship of the life He’s entrusted to you.
Bible Verses About Self-Care and Mental Wellness
1. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Your Bodies Are Temples of the Holy Spirit
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Matthew 22:39 – Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Romans 12:2 – Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4. Mark 6:31 – Come with Me by Yourselves to a Quiet Place
And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
New King James Version (NKJV)
5. Psalm 23:2-3 – He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; he leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 3 John 1:2 – I Pray That You May Enjoy Good Health
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There Is a Time for Everything
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Luke 5:16 – But Jesus Often Withdrew to Lonely Places and Prayed
But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Psalm 139:14 – I Praise You Because I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation!
The Message (MSG)
10. Galatians 6:9 – Let Us Not Become Weary in Doing Good
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. 1 Timothy 4:8 – Physical Training Is of Some Value
For physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Proverbs 27:14 – If Anyone Loudly Blesses Their Neighbor Early in the Morning
If someone blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Philippians 4:8 – Whatever Is True, Whatever Is Noble
Keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. 1 Kings 19:5-8 – Get Up and Eat
Then he lay down and went to sleep under the tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and saw some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Psalm 127:2 – In Vain You Rise Early and Stay Up Late
It is no use for you to get up early and stay up late, working for a living. The Lord gives sleep to those he loves.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Isaiah 40:31 – But Those Who Hope in the Lord Will Renew Their Strength
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All You Who Are Weary
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Proverbs 17:22 – A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – So Whether You Eat or Drink
Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Psalm 46:10 – Be Still, and Know That I Am God
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient for You
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Jeremiah 31:25 – I Will Refresh the Weary
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Psalm 4:8 – In Peace I Will Lie Down and Sleep
I will both laye me downe in peace and sleepe: for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safetie.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Genesis 2:2-3 – By the Seventh Day God Had Finished
And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Nehemiah 8:10 – The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength
And he saith to them, ‘Go, eat fat things, and drink sweet things, and sent portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for to-day is holy to our Lord, and be not grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.’
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. Exodus 20:8-10 – Remember the Sabbath Day by Keeping It Holy
Remember the sabbath day to hallow it. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of Jehovah thy God.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Psalm 62:1 – Truly My Soul Finds Rest in God
Verily my soule abidith stille in God; of hym is myn helthe.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Though One May Be Overpowered
And if one be stronger then another, two shall withstand him, and a threfolde corde is not easely broken.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Isaiah 30:15 – In Quietness and Trust Is Your Strength
For thus sayth the Lorde God, the holy one of Israel: In returnyng and rest shall ye be saued, and in quietnes and sure confidence shalbe your strength.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Mark 2:27 – The Sabbath Was Made for Man
And he sayde vnto them: the Saboth daye was made for man, and not man for the Saboth daye.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 103:2-3 – Praise the Lord, My Soul
O my soul, bless God. Don’t forget a single blessing! He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Isaiah 58:11 – The Lord Will Guide You Always
I will always guide you and provide for you in ways that will make your soul feast and be satisfied. Even in drought, I will cause strength to spring up within you. You will become like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never run dry.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Psalm 16:11 – You Make Known to Me the Path of Life
You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in Your presence; beautiful pleasures are in Your right hand forever.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Matthew 6:26 – Look at the Birds of the Air
Look at the birds of the air. They don’t plant or gather crops. They don’t put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are?
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Self-Care and Mental Wellness
Scripture presents a holistic view of human beings that includes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. The Bible doesn’t compartmentalize these aspects but recognizes how they interconnect and affect each other. When Paul writes about our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit, he’s establishing that caring for our physical and mental health is actually a spiritual discipline, not a distraction from spiritual growth.
What’s particularly striking is how Jesus modeled self-care throughout his ministry. He withdrew regularly for prayer and solitude, established boundaries with demanding crowds, and prioritized time with close friends. He didn’t view these practices as selfish but as necessary for sustainable ministry. This challenges the common misconception that self-care is somehow unbiblical or that we should run ourselves into the ground serving others.
The biblical approach to wellness also emphasizes community and rhythm rather than individualistic solutions. God designed us to need rest, relationships, celebration, and renewal. When we ignore these design features, we often burn out or become less effective in our calling. True self-care aligns with how God created us to function and enables us to love Him and others from a place of strength rather than depletion.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I’ve been taught that putting others first always means neglecting myself, but I’m learning that You designed me with real needs for rest, community, and care. Help me to understand the difference between selfishness and healthy stewardship of the life You’ve given me. Show me how to honor You by caring for my body, mind, and spirit.
Forgive me for the times I’ve ignored warning signs of exhaustion, stress, or emotional depletion, thinking that pushing through was more spiritual than taking time to recharge. Help me to follow Jesus’ example of withdrawing regularly for prayer and rest, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing what matters most.
Give me wisdom to know when to say yes and when to say no. Help me to build rhythms of work and rest, solitude and community, serving and being served. Show me how to care for my physical health through proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep as acts of worship rather than vanity.
Most importantly, help me to find my identity in being Your beloved child rather than in how much I accomplish or how many people I serve. Let my self-care flow from understanding my value to You and enable me to love others more fully.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.