3 Reasons Why it Is Crucial That We Rest
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- Updated Mar 11, 2024
A few weeks ago, our family had the chance to sneak away to the beach for a week. Despite it being February with temperatures still feeling crisp, we seized the opportunity and made the trip! It wasn’t until we rolled up to my in-law's beach vacation house that I realized how exhausted I was. We carried in our luggage, scarfed down lunch, and toted our toddlers upstairs for a nap. While convincing them to give in to sleep, I found my own eyes growing heavy, and pretty quickly, I was out! I took a three-hour nap that afternoon! I had no idea I was that tired, but my body knew and was ready for the relief that comes when we give ourselves a chance to rest.
How many of us are walking around functioning in survival mode because our plates are piled high with activities, our minds are crowded with anxiety, and our bodies are run down from a lack of margin?
I notice as I am officially getting close to mid-life that my friends and I are tired. We are struggling to manage the physical implications of stress. Our bodies are breaking down earlier than we expected. This inability to rest affects every part of our lives. It’s a lie from the enemy of our souls that we can do it all, that we can ignore our own needs without inflicting harm on ourselves, and that our relationships can weather all our stressed-out-ness without cracking.
God Commands Us to Rest
Foregoing rest is disobedience to the instructions of the Lord, and as a result, we bear the weight of our unwillingness to surrender to God’s plan in our bodies and beyond.
Hebrews 4:9-11 says, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
From the start of Creation, even before sin entered our world, God modeled rest (Genesis 2:3). Rest is holy, and it’s a part of God’s good and perfect way. Chronic busyness is born out of pride. A pride that says we are too important to surrender our time, to honor our limits, and to live God’s way. I don’t know about you, but I am so guilty of living with this kind of pride.
I have five kids and they seem to need me nearly around the clock. If I stop, it can feel like our home starts to quickly descend into chaos. Yet, what my kids don’t need is a perfectly manicured home, and they don’t need an always available mom because that’s not realistic. They need a present mom, a home that gives space for us all to contribute rather than only relying on me, and they need to see me model stillness. I am relentlessly needing to be reminded to surrender my need to always be on God's command to live a balanced, present, and rest-filled life.
Rest Empowers Us to Live Righteously
Galatians 6:9 urges us to not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up. How is it that we avoid weariness? Through making sure we get adequate rest.
Tired people burn out, give in, throw in the towel, and don’t make it to the harvest.
Science confirms what the Bible says about the need for rest. Stress impacts your body, mood, and behavior. It can impact your sleep patterns and how quick you are to anger; it can cause physical health issues such as stomach problems, headaches, and so much more.
How can we expect that we will be slow to anger with our spouse when we are already overwhelmed? How can we parent with grace if we are physically exhausted? Is it possible to be present in our homes when we are sick? Rest is an essential part of being the men and women of faith that, as Christ followers, we aspire to be.
Rest Improves Our Productivity
There is so much grace in God’s backwards kingdom. When we give him our minds, bodies, schedules, and other needs, he empowers us to do more with less! Rest actually improves our ability to be productive. Our brain is less productive when it is fatigued. Giving up some of your time for recovery actually helps you get more done!
There is more good news: rest helps reduce the effects of stress, allows us to be more creative, improves our ability to make decisions, allows our body to heal, and boosts our mental health.
God’s instruction is not a way to steal from our ability to be diligent and productive! He is actually looking out for us so we are able to be the most productive versions of ourselves. He multiplies our efforts when we commit to live more balanced lives.
How do we know if we are doing too much?
Sometimes, it’s hard to access if we have too much on our plates! More than that, it can be painful to cut out some of the good things on the calendar in order to honor your family's need for rest. There are some things we can’t change; life comes with tougher seasons, but we can still be intentional about how we navigate these intense time frames.
Here are some questions to consider when it comes to your lifestyle:
Are you dealing with chronic pain? Fatigue? Or other health issues?
Do you have time in your schedule for things like making nutritious meals or moving your body?
When was the last time you took a nap?
How often do you laugh?
How often do you spend time with family and friends?
Do you find yourself growing angry or frustrated more quickly than you would like?
Are your goals on the back burner of life?
Are you able to spend time in prayer and in the Word regularly?
Do you feel as though you have enough time to connect with your spouse and/or children?
Do you have trouble sleeping? Eating regular meals?
Are you struggling with anxiety and/or depression?
Is your marriage in crisis?
Are you exhausted?
These are just a few things to consider when trying to determine if you need more margin in your life. This is something that most of us have to continually assess as business seems to creep into our lives very quickly!
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
