Soul care isn’t selfish—it helps you avoid burnout, renew emotional health, and stay spiritually strong by reconnecting with God every day.
On your hardest days—when you’re tired, overwhelmed, and your prayers feel hollow—where do you turn for hope?
You might be showing up, giving, and serving, but inside, your soul feels stretched thin. Maybe your patience is running low, or your faith feels distant. You love God, but lately, it seems like you’re surviving more than living.
If this resonates with you, you’re not alone.
Why Soul Care is Important
Today we’re talking about biblical soul care—what it is, why it matters, and how you can begin caring for your soul in everyday life. This often-overlooked spiritual practice is more than a trendy idea or a form of self-indulgence—it’s a vital part of living a steady, hope-filled life in Christ. Don’t miss the full conversation—find spiritual rest and lasting renewal today. Listen in to get the most from the episode.
“We give, we serve, and we show up for everyone around us, but sometimes deep inside, it feels like our souls are running on fumes.” – Ginger
Habit of Hope: Make soul care a regular rhythm in your life—because a well-attended soul is a hopeful soul.
Deuteronomy 4:9: Watch Over Your Soul Diligently
“Only be careful for yourself and watch over your soul diligently so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life.” – Deuteronomy 4:9 (NASB)
In this verse, Moses speaks to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. He urges them to remember God’s faithfulness and remain grounded in His truth. The phrase “watch over your soul diligently” is both a caution and an invitation. Spiritual drift doesn’t always look dramatic—it’s subtle, slow, and often unnoticed until we’re running on empty.
“Remembering God’s faithfulness renews our hope. When we remember what God has done in the past, it energizes us and reminds us that we can trust Him with what’s happening now.” – Ginger
Warning Signs Your Soul Needs Attention
Soul neglect rarely happens all at once—it sneaks in gradually. This is why we need to watch over our soul diligently. One day you realize you’re not just tired; you’re spiritually worn out. In the episode, we talked about the subtle ways your soul can signal it’s time to slow down and reconnect with God.
When your soul is depleted, you may notice:
- Overwhelming exhaustion even after rest – You’ve taken a break, but you’re still tired in a way that sleep can’t fix.
- Feeling distant from God – You still believe, but your connection feels flat or rushed, like going through a spiritual drive-thru.
- Increased irritability or anxiety – Your emotional reserves are low, and small things set you off.
- Lack of joy or perspective – You’re fixated on what’s going wrong and can’t see the blessings or beauty in your life.
- Relying on surface fixes – You reach for distraction or comfort (like sugar or Netflix) rather than turning to God.
- Spiritual numbness – Prayer feels hollow. You’re still doing the outward things, but your soul feels disconnected.
We may not realize how much we’ve been running on empty until something forces us to stop. These symptoms are your soul’s way of waving a red flag, reminding you that hope, peace, and spiritual strength can only be sustained when you tend your inner life.
As Larissa shared, “It really hit me today—the Lord was doing a lot of downloads before we recorded this episode. I don’t make enough time when I’ve had to stop one thing to do another. It’s a good reminder: no one else is going to do soul care for me.”
When you recognize the signs, you don’t have to push through or pretend. You can pause, realign, and begin again—with grace.
Soul Care Truths That Will Change the Way You Live
Consider the following reasons to embrace the importance of soul care by making it a regular practice in your life.
1. Soul care is essential, not optional
Without consistent care for your soul, spiritual depletion is inevitable. You may be doing all the right things—serving, showing up, keeping up—but inside, your soul feels stretched thin. You’re giving and showing up for everyone around you, but deep down, it feels like your soul is running on fumes. That inner weariness is a signal: it’s time to tend your soul.
True soul strength doesn’t come from doing more—it flows from quietness, rest, and trust in God.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
2. Soul care goes deeper than self-care
Self-care often focuses on the surface—relaxation, comfort, physical rest. These are helpful, but soul care reaches the spiritual and emotional core of who we are. Soul care is really about attending to the deepest parts of us. It’s not just about feeling good in the moment—it’s about restoring strength from the inside out by reconnecting with God.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
4. You can’t live on five-minute faith
Quick quiet times may offer short-term relief, but they aren’t enough to sustain your soul through long seasons of spiritual demand or emotional strain. If you only ever spend time with the Lord in five-minute increments, you won’t have the same soul-nourishing experience you would in those longer, slower moments of connection. We need rhythms that give God more than our leftovers.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” (John 15:4)
5. Jesus modeled intentional soul care
Even in seasons of great ministry and need, Jesus stepped away to pray, reflect, and rest. He would rise early, go to the mountainside, and sometimes spend the entire night in prayer. If Jesus prioritized caring for His soul, how much more do we need to make time for soul care in our own lives? It’s not selfish—it’s essential.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
7. Neglecting your soul leads to burnout
When you stop paying attention to the presence and activity of God, it’s easy to shift into self-reliance. Over time, that leads to numbness, fatigue, and distance from the joy and purpose of walking closely with Him. Doing life in your own strength may work for a while, but it leaves you depleted. Soul care realigns you with truth and makes space to be filled again.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
8. You don’t have to hit burnout to begin
Too often we wait until we’re already exhausted before we do something about it. But soul care isn’t just a rescue strategy—it’s a life rhythm that keeps us whole. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You can start now, with small steps that matter. A few intentional moments of stillness or scripture can open the door to healing and hope.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
How to Begin Soul Care Today (Even If You’re Busy)
Here are simple soul care practices to start with today:
- Check in with your soul: Pause and ask God what’s going on beneath the surface.
- Create space to receive God’s love: Sit in stillness for two minutes. Breathe, pray, and open your heart to Him.
- Reflect on God’s faithfulness: Write down 3 ways you’ve seen His hand in your life.
- Block time for soul care: Schedule a walk, devotional, or margin moment in your planner.
- Choose nourishing over numbing: Trade one surface “fix” for something that actually restores your soul.
Explore a few of these ideas to make soul care a regular practice in your life. Which one could you do today?
Your Soul Matters to God
Soul care is important. Friend, your soul isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a sacred part of who you are. We don’t practice soul care just for the sake of rest, but so that we can live fully present—with God, with others, and with ourselves.
Caring for your soul isn’t selfish—it’s the way you stay grounded in grace, anchored in hope, and steady in faith. Don’t wait for burnout to begin. Start today—with small steps, honest prayers, and God’s help.
He is faithful to meet you.
What My Anxiety Taught Me About the Importance of Soul Care
If this post about soul care resonated with you, I invite you to read the first chapter of my book Holy in the Moment.(affiliate link) In it, I share a vulnerable story from a season when anxiety gripped my heart and my soul felt dry and disconnected. I had to learn—moment by moment—believing God is a decision, not an emotion. If you’ve ever felt emotionally exhausted or spiritually stuck, this chapter will speak directly to you.
👉 Read the first chapter here and begin your own journey toward soul-deep renewal.
Recent Podcast Episodes
- 32.How to Cultivate Prayer Habits for Deeper Focus and Clarity
- 33. Eight Easy Tips to Focus in Prayer that Make a Difference
- 34.How to Find Real Hope in Jesus When You Feel Far From God (Interview with Tarra Green)
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
I found this very encouraging and as I read further in depth I will make a doable goal to practice taking care of my soul as I take care of myself. Yes, for myself, because I love God and need renewal of mind and heart and strength. In order to love others also, in Jesus name.