W
hat is rest and why is it so important? In Genesis 2, God had just finished creating the earth in six days. On the seventh day, he rested, blessing that seventh day and making it holy, because it was on that day that he rested from all His work (Genesis 2:2-3). Why did God rest? He didn’t rest because He needed it. He took time to rest to show us that we desperately need it in our lives.
The idea of rest is a difficult concept for me. I’m a driven person and have trouble when I don’t feel productive. There are days that I struggle with anxiety as well, and instead of sitting and finding peace in God’s promises, I tend to fixate on a project. It makes me feel like I’m in control.
Adam and I have been really busy the past few weeks with travel, school, work, and the other various things in our schedule. I got to a point last week where I felt so overwhelmed that I broke down. Everything we were doing was good, but I wasn’t taking the time for purposeful rest and my tank was empty.
We all have times when we get overwhelmed by the pressures that life brings. When we get to this place, it’s best to take a step back and be more intentional with our time.
Here are some tips for incorporating rest into the chaos of life:
- Don’t be afraid to say “no” to things that come up when you’re out of energy.
- Talk with your spouse about what rest looks like for your marriage.
- Allow God to feed your soul.
- Write down the things that bring you joy and take some time to do them regularly.
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
This word and I are still becoming friends. If something seems overwhelming to you and you have nothing left to give, it’s okay to say “no” or “not this time.” It’s hard to be present with others when you’ve already emptied out all you have on other things.
Take time to talk with your spouse about what “too busy” means, so that you can focus on what truly matters. Take time to talk about what is restful for both of you. When we get too busy with other obligations, our marriage can begin to wither away without us realizing it.
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” God is the ultimate peace-giver. Nothing will bring rest like sitting in the presence of your Heavenly Father. Talk to Him about how overwhelmed you are. Sit somewhere beautiful where you can look at His creation. Listen to worship music or just be still in silence.
For me, I love a good latte. I find that whenever I can make the time to just sit down and really enjoy a latte, my world slows down and I can breathe.
Rather than going non-stop until you have nothing left to give, plan regular time in your schedule for yourself. It could be getting up a bit earlier, taking a lunch by yourself, going for a walk alone, or having time with a good friend. Whether it’s a little or a lot, having this time will help you to recharge.
It’s easy to give and give until we have nothing left, but taking time for intentional and meaningful rest helps us to recharge and be the best we can for ourselves and everyone around us.
What makes you feel overwhelmed? What steps could you take to find some peace today? Let us know in the comments below…
