Good News about Self-Care

What do you think of when you hear “self-care”?

Let’s be honest: most of us think of massages, steam baths, face masks, and indulging on a special treat while binge-watching Netflix. But is that really the kind of self-care that will sustain us in the long run? The truth is, it’s a shallow, temporary fix at best.

In Good News About Self-Care, pastor and theologian Benjamin Espinoza takes us beyond the surface-level indulgences that dominate today’s self-care culture. Instead, he presents self-care as a deeply Christian practice rooted in our relationships with God, others, and society. This book reframes self-care as an act of faithfulness and stewardship, showing us that true self-care is much deeper than just pampering ourselves―it’s loving and caring for ourselves in a way that fuels our mission to love God and neighbor wholeheartedly.

Key Features:

Theological framework: Explores self-care as a Christian practice, connected to our relationship with God, society, and creation. Practical guidance: Offers tangible steps for integrating self-care into a thriving, guilt-free Christian lifestyle. Discussion questions: At the end of each chapter, these questions encourage reflection and group discussion for deeper learning and healing. In a time when exhaustion, stress, and burnout are widespread―especially among Christian leaders―here is a timely and life-giving message. Espinoza bridges the gap between secular self-care and a Christ-centered approach, providing a sustainable, healthy, joyful, and theologically rich framework that helps readers live out self-care in a way that honors God and strengthens their ministry.

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Introduction
4. Part 1: Our Relationship with God
5. Chapter 1: The Life in the Word
6. Chapter 2: The Life of Prayer
7. Chapter 3: The Life of Worship and Gratitude
8. Part 2: Our Relationship with Ourselves
9. Chapter 4: Caring for Our Physical Bodies
10. Chapter 5: Caring for Our Emotional Lives
11. Chapter 6: Caring for Our Playful Sides
12. Part 3: Our Relationship with Society
13. Chapter 7: Practicing Solitude
14. Chapter 8: Practicing the Sabbath
15. Chapter 9: Limiting Technology
16. Part 4: Our Relationship with Others
17. Chapter 10: Knowing Your Limits
18. Chapter 11: Setting Healthy Work-Life Boundaries
19. Chapter 12: Walking Away from Unhealthy Relationships
20. Conclusion: Toward a Self-Care Revolution
21. Appendix A: ­Self-Care for Men
22. Appendix B: Schedule for a Personal Retreat
23. Closing Credits