The #1 Self-Care Practice You Absolutely Must Not Forget!

Perhaps your first reaction to the buzzword self-care evoked the sense that it must be self-indulgent. Let's clear that up! Self-care is the practice of looking after your own essential God-given needs, mentally, physically and emotionally, so that you can better accomplish all the greatness you are called to in life and pour out to others in the gift of love! Does that sound selfish?

Sacred Scripture says that the King set us free so that we may love others as we love ourselves. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

How can I love others without first loving...my self?

While there are many common directions we could take thoughts about self-care/self-love,such as healthy relationships, provision, wellness, life balance, prayer time, etc., we believe that there has been 1 essential self-care practice that is so often overlooked, that it is not even written about. How about...self-defense?

Yes, you read that right: self-defense!

Self-defense as a form of self-care? For sure. We believe that letting the King equip you for your own protection is building big, bold boundaries around the truth of who you are and why you are here; safe, protective walls around the answers to the questions, "Who am I?", "Why am I here?" and "What has God said about me?"

Well, who am I? Why am I here? What has God said about me? I am made in God's own divine image. I am here because He loves me into existence. I have been ransomed and redeemed by Him and grafted into his family. I am a citizen of His Kingdom.

It's a form of self-love to have proper boundaries with people and other outside influences that seek to oppress our lives, protecting these core identity truths with all our might. Reality is, a lot of culture right now is set against them.

Let's push this a step further. While we know that a lot of messaging in our lives is vying to influence our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves - mostly to sell us latest self-care gimmick- there is more to it.

As Christians, we are awake. We know that currently in our life, there are TWO KINGDOMS at war with one another. Jesus Himself referenced this all throughout the gospel. The Kingdom of the true King is waging war against the weak, already-defeated kingdom of this world, which belongs to the enemy of God, Satan.

Have you ever felt spiritually harassed? We have. You know, when everything seems to be going wrong? The challenge here for citizens of the TRUE ROYAL KINGDOM, is that Satan is a sore loser and he still attempts to take hostages, despite his loss. Satan feels he has the right to oppress and harass the royal children. 

So, when we speak of self-care as self-defense, we mean not only to protect the core identity truths, but that we fight back against attack - lest we be taken hostage!

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7. 

It is time for a further awakening and equipping of the royal children of God, that we may become aware that there is an outright onslaught against each of us and upon our generational descendants, and it is both an overt and covert ever-present attempt to "steal, kill and destroy" our lives. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 

It's not a time to fear - actually, fear is pointless, because our team has already won. Now, we are simply applying the victory to our everyday lives. We need not rely on our own victory or strength, but on the very power of God Himself. To the True King belongs the VICTORY, a victory He has already won!!! "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 And, if HE has won, then WE TOO HAVE ALREADY WON, VICTORIOUS!

So, what can we do about these constant last vestiges of onslaught over our lives? Jesus says in His own words, over and over again, to be not afraid, stay vigilant, and turn to his mercy and grace through prayer, the Word and the sacraments.

1. Repent & Break with Serious Sin

Kingdom warfare is...normal. Without getting too much deeper into the various forms of attack or how it could be getting at you, start with repenting of any constant habits of serious sin. Sin is like an open door with a nice big welcome mat of permission for Satan to go after you. You can shut him out with the sacraments, binding him up (I share this next) and inviting Jesus to command your life, only to fall into serious sin again, and he has permission to come back.

2. Grasp Hold of Your Anointing and Authority: Bind and Loose

You are anointed with the King's own power and delegated authority over your own life. Do not lean on your own power (for it is weakness) or understanding, but on the Spirit of God that dwells within you, to fight back. You have authority to bind the enemy up and cast him out, in Jesus' own Name, and you have authority to release the blessing of heaven upon yourself and your children, and upon your property, your works, and your nation...and this earth. Literally say, "I bind you (insert attack), Satan, and send you to the foot of Jesus' cross, in Jesus' Name. Amen. I plead your Blood over my life, Jesus. Thank you for saving me and protecting me with your grace. Amen."

3. Ask others to Interceded for You

Isn't it the best feeling to have someone on the other end of your text who just gets it? Surround yourself with people who are submitting to God and battling the devil, and you will know who to turn to when you need prayer support.

4. Armor Up - Wear Your Shield and Grab Your Sword!

Throughout the ages, scripture and the saints have given us specialized spiritual weaponry that has the effect of protection and blessing. Some of these are in the form of specific prayers to pray in various occasions and some are material objects that are dedicated to represent and remind us of how protected and blessed we are. 

At House of Royals, (click here or on any of the pictures!) we have chosen some of these beautiful elements from this earth to become today's armor and weaponry of spiritual warfare...for you. For example, crystal crosses and Sacred Hearts, royal crowns on the Heart of God, the legacy Benedictine cross whose very engravings have a prayer against Satanic influence, and to  unleash the power of the victorious cross! There's even an all new Benedictine key chain for every day protection and blessing.

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"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7.!!! This is wild! He doesn't leave us orphans on this earth, alone out on the battleground, but he equips us for self-defense. 

Royals, love yourself as the One who made you loves you, and do battle for your own body, soul and spirit, and those of your children! We are citizens of the VICTORIOUS KINGDOM, and it's time we took our self-care seriously enough to defend against the salaciousness of Satan, and prioritize the care of the most inner parts of our souls.

So, Royals: how about you? Tell us in the comments what battles you are fighting these days, that we may fight side by side in the Kingdom, until every heart knows the love that we have encountered...and this earth looks much more like the TRUE KINGDOM than the enemy's prison camp of souls. What does self-care look like in the kingdom? We believe this 1 key area of self-care, spiritual and human self-defense, is essential to safeguarding your own identity as beloved child, and defeating the nuisance attacks of the enemy of God in our life.

God’s Indomitable Love in Christ

28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?

35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?

37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8