What is self-control? According to the Bible, it is part of the fruit of the Spirit, demonstration that the Holy Spirit lives within a person and controls the person (Gal 5:23). The Greek Word here refers to mastery of desires and passions, that is, saying , "No" to the wrong, and "Yes" to the right. (Blue Letter Bible, n.d.). Psychology defines self-control simply as "the ability to manage one's impulses, emotions, and behaviors to achieve long-term goals" (Psychology Today Staff, n.d.). There is less moral distinction here, stating that self-control just helps a person make choices that benefit him or her long-term. Either way, self-control requires decision and action.
What is self-care? The Bible does not reference self-care specifically. It does encourage believers to care for self and others, though (Faith Filled Food for Moms, n.d.). Self-care is more of a mental health term defined as "the practice of individuals looking after their own health using the knowledge and information available to them" (Global Self-Care Federation, 2023). In this way, self-care is self-tending.
The Interrelationship. The definitions of self-control and self-care overlap in the area of decision making. Some bloggers, podcasters, and writers disagree, though. Paige Schmidt (2017) does not say that the two are mutually exclusive, but portrays self-control in a pejorative sense, saying that "Self-care refuels you and gives you MORE energy and self-control drains you and takes AWAY your energy." Be the Change (2021) says something similar. Using self-control to do things that are not beneficial is negative for one's health. But using self-control to practice good things (eg sleep hygiene, good nutrition, etc.) might be necessary for self-care.
If we define self-control negatively, as in forcing oneself to do something the person does not want to do, that might not benefit the person's mental health. As Kris (n.d.) says, "When we force our bodies into a state that is unnatural and potentially even detrimental...our body [and I might add, soul and spirit] will retaliate." If self-control is done positively, as in saying, "No" to behaviors that drain the person, and "Yes" to filling and energizing behaviors, the two might go together. As Mistie (2017) writes in Simply Convivial, sometimes we need discipline, to "replace [old habits with new, better habits, and] redirect our minds to right ruts rather than bad ones." That self-discipline might include the decision-making of self-control.
Not Mutually Exclusive. Fueled by Holy Spirit wisdom, I believe that self-control and self-care go together. In fact, I think they need to go together. We need wisdom to practice appropriate self-control in ways that help, rather than hurt. We need wisdom to care of ourselves appropriately, in ways that equip us to live healthy lives rather than enable us to continue in unhealthy habits. Self-control and self-care. Let's pursue them both for the good of ourselves and the glory of God.
References:
Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Lexicon :: Strong's G1466 - egkrateia. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1466/esv/mgnt/0-1/
Faith Filled Food for Moms. (n.d.). 22 awesome scriptures for practicing self-care -- Free printable. https://www.faithfilledfoodformoms.com/22-awesome-scriptures-to-know-for-practicing-self-care/
Global Self-Care Federation. (2023). What is self-care? https://www.selfcarefederation.org/what-is-self-care
Kris. (n.d.). Choosing self care over self control. Healthy Mama Kris. https://healthymamakris.com/choosing-self-care-over-self-control/
Mistie. (2017, December 13). Simple Convivial. Repent. Rejoice. Repeat. https://simplyconvivial.com/2017/self-control-self-care/
Psychology Today Staff. (n.d.). Self-control. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-control
Schmidt, P. (2017, April 19). The difference between self-care and self-control. Live Brightly. https://www.paigeschmidt.com/the-difference-between-self-care-and-self-control/
No comments:
Post a Comment