Rest.
Something we all need, but many of us struggle to do.
I certainly struggle to rest.
Sometimes it is an emotional rest that I need.
At other times, physical rest is critical.
Then there is also mental rest that is required.
And yes, sometimes we need spiritual rest, too.
Today I think I need all four areas to rest.
Why do I need rest?
Sometimes I Need to Rest
Last week, I attended a writer’s conference.
It was great to be at the conference, but I am emotionally, physically, mentally, and even spiritually spent.
The emotional component is there because of this is the first conference I have attended since losing my husband. My late husband was so supportive of the decision to go to seminary and pursue writing.
Knowing he wasn’t available for brief texts, phone calls, or longer chats once home about all I experienced at the conference weighed heavily on my heart.
The physical component requiring rest is purely from a practical sense. I was up early and stayed up late to experience all that the conference offered. Plus, the conference was in a setting that required lots of walking on inclines or stairs to navigate.
Mentally, the exhaustion is from listening to all the sessions and processing both new information and reminders of things I’ve heard before.
Spiritual rest beckons, too. I need to spend some time sitting still with the Lord to discern exactly what my next steps are in my writing life.
Sometimes We Need to Rest
I am reminding myself and you of the importance of rest with a brief study on the idea of rest in scripture.
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.[1]
Look back at Genesis 2:1. Describe what work God finished.
What did God do after completing this work?
So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. [2]
Why did God bless the seventh day?
What are the implications for us to take time to rest?
Read the instructions from Leviticus 23:3.
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places. [3]
What are we to rest from according to this verse?
How is this counter cultural?
Now consider Jesus Christ’s words from Matthew 11:28-30.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [4]
How is Christ’s yoke easy and His burden light? (Use Matthew 11:25-27 and 12:1-8 to answer this question.)
What other scripture verses come to mind when you think about the topic of rest? Why?
Sometimes You Need to Rest
Do you struggle with taking time to rest? Why or why not?
How do the scriptures above help you see the importance of taking time to rest?
Take a moment to describe your emotional state. Are you at rest emotionally? Why or why not?
What activities help you stay rested emotionally?
- Limiting social media?
- Limiting TV?
- Staying home instead of going out?
- Journaling?
- Other?
Describe a plan for how you can address your emotional health in the next week.
Turn your attention to your physical body. Do you feel physically rested? Why or why not?
What activities do you do to stay physically rested?
- Regular stretching?
- Regular sleep schedules?
- Regular exercise?
- Healthy Food choices?
- Other?
What is your plan for staying physically rested in the week to come?
Are you mentally rested? Why or why not?
What helps you stay mentally rested?
- Regular breaks when doing mentally taxing work?
- At least one day off from work per week?
- Occasionally extended breaks from work, called vacations?
- Reading a good book that isn’t for getting ahead in your work?
- Listening to music?
- Spending time in nature?
- Arts and crafts?
- Other?
Describe your plan for staying mentally rested in the week to come.
How do you stay spiritually rested?
- Spending time alone with God?
- Spending time in silence?
- Spending time in nature?
- Prayer?
- Journaling?
- Worship?
- Other?
Detail your plan for nurturing your spiritual rest in the week to come.
How can you encourage someone else to take time to rest as well?
A Prayer for Our Need to Rest
Heavenly Father, You encourage us to set aside one day per week to truly rest.
Emotionally, we need rest so that we will have energy to avoid snapping in our relationships. Give us fresh ways to get the emotional rest we need each week.
Physically, we need rest to avoid injuries so that we will be fit for meeting our daily physical tasks. Grant us the ability to listen well to our bodies and rest them when needed.
Mentally, we need rest to avoid burnout and mistakes in our work. Help us recognize when our minds get fuzzy that it is time to take a break and rest from our work throughout our day.
Spiritually, we need rest to hear Your voice most clearly. Draw us into your arms consistently to rest in Your presence so we can engage this world with Your strength and not our own.
Thank you, Father, for setting the example and reminding us You invited us into Your rest as well.
Amen.
Writing this post reminded me of Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D. She spoke at a writer’s conference I attended two years ago on the importance of rest as detailed in her book: Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity.
What book(s) do you recommend for learning more about healthy rest? Share in the comments section below.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 2:2.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 2:3.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Le 23:3.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 11:28–30.