God Is My Shepherd: A Devotional on Being Made to Be Cared For

Confession: God is my shepherd, and because of that, I am cared for.

Introduction

The very thought that we should be cared for can make you feel self-absorbed. That’s because we have been trained (unaware) over time to believe that care is earned. You aren’t supposed to rest until after you’ve finished everything on your to-do list. You don’t tend to yourself until after everyone else has been taken care of. Then, you only slow down when your body finally forces you to.

This standard of “care” is exhausting, and it isn’t really care at all.

So what if being cared for wasn’t something you had to earn? What if being cared for by God was already part of how you were designed?

That’s what this devotional is about. I want to share with you how, from the very beginning (even before time), God’s desire was to take care of you. And, also, how making time for self-care isn’t something you need to earn.

Key Takeaways

Being cared for by God is part of our design; it’s not something to be earned.
Isaiah 40:11 illustrates God’s care, likening Him to a shepherd who watches over vulnerable lambs.
Our dependence on God allows us to rest; we don’t have to prove our worth to receive care.
Self-care reflects gratitude for what God has given us; it’s an expression of worth.

Scripture Focus: He’s Our Shepherd

Today’s verse of the day comes from Isaiah 40:11: “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.”

This verse shows us the very heart of God. He is likened to a shepherd who carefully watches over lambs. If you know anything about lambs (not to be confused with The Lamb of God), they are vulnerable creatures. They follow without questioning, sometimes to their own detriment. They don’t self-direct, and they just follow. This is why they need a shepherd.

We can be exactly like lambs – certainly vulnerable in this sin-sick world that we live in. This is why we need to be dependent on God, our Shepherd. He’ll never lead us astray.

And if you’ve ever read the parable of Jesus and the lost sheep, you know that the shepherd doesn’t wait for the sheep to find their way back. He goes after them. That’s the kind of care we’re talking about. It’s not conditional or earned. It’s pursued.

Reflections & Encouragement

As a daughter of God, being cared for is not something you need to earn. It’s not a reward for being productive or even working for the Lord. God didn’t design you to run until you’re empty. The Lord designed you to be sustained without you having to prove you deserve it first.

And because this is also a hair care blog, you know have to offer a thought in alignment with the truth of care that I’m writing about.

When you care for your hair with intention, caring for it consistently instead of only when it’s in crisis mode, you’re practicing the very idea that what God gave you is worth caring for, not because it has to look a certain way, but because it’s yours. It’s a gift.

And as a child of God, gifts are meant to be received and cared for, not neglected until they demand your attention.

You don’t have to earn that. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You were made to be cared for, and that includes the care you give yourself, which is also an expression of gratitude. Please remember that.