A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about trying to accomplish everything. Today, I want to talk about how it is okay and even recommended to take a day of rest. I am not talking about getting 8 hours of sleep, which is important, but that we need to take a day of relaxation and rejuvenation.
In American culture, we feel like we have to be constantly on the go: going to work, cleaning our house, booking appointments, taking kids to school or practice, and making time for date night or for family and friends. Rest, in the eyes of this world, equals weakness, so we feel that if we take a second to ourselves we will not be able to accomplish everything on our never-ending to-do list.
I have been caught up in this way of thinking for far too long. Honestly, sometimes I work myself up with feelings of inadequacy because there is just so much to do. There are only 24 hours in a day, 16 of which are taken from work and sleep, so how is there time for rest in between?
Sometimes I think that I need to keep going because once I settle down and rest my body will feel the ramifications of all the stress I have put on it by continually being on the go. Ultimately resulting in a sickness that knocks me off my feet and forces me to rest. Do you ever feel the same?
god Complex
According to Wikipedia, “A god complex is an unshakable belief characterized by consistently inflated feelings of personal ability, privilege, or infallibility.”
When continually striving to be a superhero to everyone, you are living out a false notion that you can do it all on your own. Self-importance and self-accomplishment grow strong. If you and I don’t take care of everything, who will?
This attitude can become too heavy a burden to bear. If you didn’t already know this, you and I both are humans who have limitations and boundaries.
Trust in God’s steadfastness, and believe that He will do for us what we cannot accomplish ourselves.
Finding Rest in God
The heavy yoke of trying to accomplish it all is exhausting.
Jesus offers us grace and rest, telling us “come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).”
Knowing this makes life so much easier. When I get caught up in stressful moments at work or at home, I pray that God will give me the strength to carry out whatever is needed and allow me to find rest in Him. Half of the things I stress about are meaningless anyway.
“For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:10-11.
The only way we have true rest and peace is to trust in God, allowing his wisdom and understanding to surpass all of our understanding. When we depend on God, we can enter into his rest, and enjoy our lives.
How God Wants Us To Live
Ever hear the phrase “life is short?” Well, it is and in Ecclesiastes, the author tells us to “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.” Ecclesiastes 9:7.
Enjoying life and resting is not just a gift from God, it is His desire. By resting, we will recognize His power that He is in control and be able to listen to His will for our lives.
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2.
Proper rest plays a significant role in allowing you to enjoy life. So give up worrying, and take time to rest in God!