When Self-Care Feels Impossible: Leaning on Faith to Refill Your Cup

There was a season in my life when the idea of self-care felt impossible. Between navigating the relentless demands of raising a child with complex medical needs and facing the heartbreak of loss (the life I had envisioned), I barely had the energy to breathe, let alone take care of myself.

Yet, it was in those moments—when I was running on empty—that I found strength in something beyond myself. Faith became my lifeline, grounding me when everything else felt out of control.

I vividly remember a moment when faith carried me through uncertainty. My daughter was still struggling to walk, and I was desperate for a breakthrough. A visiting priest prayed over her with such passion and conviction that I could feel something shift in the room. A week later, she took her first steps. I attributed this miracle to the power of prayer—an answered plea that reminded me I wasn’t walking this journey alone.

There were other moments when faith showed up in ways that left me in awe. I would take my daughter to be prayed over by devoted prayer warriors, feeling their unwavering belief fill the room. And I’ll never forget watching my older daughter tumble down a concrete staircase, her little body seemingly held and protected as she gently broke each fall. It was as if unseen hands were cradling her, cushioning what could have been a devastating accident.

But perhaps the time I leaned on my faith the most was after the death of my daughter. In the stillness of grief, faith became a bridge that connected me to her, reminding me that she was free from suffering and held in perfect peace. Even in my sorrow, I felt a closeness to her that brought unexpected comfort.

Faith-Based Self-Care Strategies for Difficult Seasons

If you’re in a season where self-care feels like a luxury you can’t afford, here are a few gentle ways to nurture yourself by leaning into – or developing – your faith:

1. Create Sacred Pauses: Life doesn’t always allow for long breaks, but even a few moments of intentional stillness can make a difference. Pause to say a short prayer, reflect on a scripture that speaks to your heart, or simply breathe and offer gratitude for the strength carrying you through.

2. Engage in Restorative Rituals: Rituals can bring comfort and stability when life feels chaotic. Light a candle while you pray, write down your thoughts in a journal, or sit in quiet reflection. These simple acts invite a sense of peace into the moment.

3. Lean Into Community: Faith reminds us that we’re not meant to carry our burdens alone. Reach out to a trusted friend, join a prayer group, or ask for support from those who can walk alongside you.

4. Offer Yourself Compassion: Just as faith teaches us to extend grace to others, it invites us to extend that same grace to ourselves. On the days when you feel like you’re barely holding it together, remember that showing up is enough.

Faith doesn’t erase pain, but it can offer us a refuge—a place where we can breathe, rest, and remember that even in the hardest moments, we are never alone.