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Self-Care: The Need and A Model

A Theological and Scriptural Framework

Self-Care: The Need and A Model explores some specific Christian views of self-care and present a paradigm providing this specific pastoral model that is rooted in Christian theology. The theological research for this paper will consist of a study from the Old and New Testaments, looking at the foundation and interpretation of self-care. It will examine biblical examples of Jesus Christ modeling self-care; one who always brought balance to His ministry.

For the Christian Chaplain, minister and caregiver remembering that God is in control comes in nurturing trust in Jesus Christ in the midst of stress and persecution. The pastoral research project for this book presents a model of self-care. This model is simple enough to be used daily. The intent of the author was to establish a model that has feasibility. The model can be memorized and used in any ministry environment.

Conducting self-care in any environment is challenging. The difficulty increases when conducted in a military, VA or any ministerial milieu. Conducting self-care is not impossible, but takes some innovation.

Jesus Christ offered the self-care model of rest, quiet place, benefits of fellowship, and remembering that God is in control. Saint Mark gives the account of Jesus calming a storm (Mark 4: 35-41). The scriptures illustrate Jesus successfully conducting self-care on the boat during the storm. Life often times brings many storms. Conducting self-care will help the chaplain, minister and caregiver in the storm.