Four Ways to Care for Ourselves as Writers by Emily Wickham

Over a year-and-a-half ago, I traveled to Nicaragua with ZMI Family Ministries International. Shortly upon arrival, our team checked into our immaculate, comfortable hotel, and I felt enormous gratitude for such pleasant accommodations. Our leader understood the importance of caring for our physical needs so we could accomplish our mission of ministering to people. As writers, we also must care for ourselves so we can fulfill our calling.Let’s consider the following four ways: 

1. Care for One’s Heart 
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23, NASB). Caring for the heart includes consistent time in God's Word. By soaking in the truth, we renew our minds and welcome the Holy Spirit to search us. Care also involves sincere prayer—opening our hearts to our heavenly Father. Nurturing our relationship with God keeps our writing motivations pure and our priorities straight. 

2. Care for One’s Body
“You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20). The context of this verse deals with sexual immorality, yet we can apply it to all aspects of physical health: 

• Exercise- Let’s stretch our legs every 45 minutes or so while writing. Even a walk in the neighborhood offers great benefits. 

• Quality Sleep- Let’s ask the Lord to supply us with the rest our bodies require. We won't function optimally if our bodies aren't recharged properly. 
• Nutritional food- A poor diet weakens our bodies and makes us more susceptible to illness. Let's choose our snacks and meals with a desire to steward our bodies well. 

3. Care for One’s Emotions
 “A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). Writers in general possess intense feelings, which enable us to touch people's hearts with words. Yet feelings also can lead us down the wrong path when hardship, pain, stress, or so on enters the picture. It's critical to recognize our emotions and handle negative ones in a Christlike manner. Otherwise, we risk shriveling up inside and perhaps even quitting. We should take our feelings to God and evaluate them with wisdom, for the Lord is our 'Wonderful Counselor' who guides us correctly. 

4. Care for One’s Mind 
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things”(Philippians 4:8). The mind functions as a gateway for good or evil, and we usually can choose what enters. God's Word specifies the material we should dwell on, and heeding His instruction benefits our outlook. It also improves our writing content. 

 Adhering to these four ways of self-care will strengthen us for the long haul. 

 Personally, I struggle with way #2. Which one challenges you the most? 

 [A longer version of this post was first published on Nov. 6, 2018 at www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com] 

Let’s care for ourselves as writers so we can pour more effectively into other people’s lives. #Writers #WritersLife @emilywickhamPH (Click to Tweet) 

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EMILY WICKHAM seeks to stir hearts toward Jesus. She writes for Journey Magazine, a LifeWay publication, speaks at ladies’ events, and shares “Devotions for Women” videos on social media. Emily encourages Christian women plus equips Christian writers on her blog, www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com. She is the author of one Bible study, which was translated into Spanish in 2016. 

Emily, a resident of North Carolina, is Mark’s wife of 29+ years. They are the blessed parents of four children and one daughter-in-love. God’s faithfulness and love inspire Emily on her journey through life as she purposes to exalt Christ through written and spoken words. 

Connect with Emily: 
Website: www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/emilywickham.author 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/emilywickhamPH 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/estherstudy 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilywickham.author 

Whether you’re a Spanish-speaking sister who longs to grow closer to Christ, or you’re looking for a Spanish Bible study to use for outreach in your community, please consider using Alcanzando la Justicia. It guides women through the book of Esther, challenging them to grow in righteous behavior—to make God-honoring choices each day. Daily prayers, Scripture readings, observation sections, author reflections, and application questions are included. This workbook is designed for individual or group use and contains instructions for following a one month, ten week, or thirty-one week schedule. See Emily’s website for special offers or purchase her book on Amazon.