“I told my wife today that I am so tired. My life is so rushed that sometimes I only get to sit down at night, but by then, my energy levels are depleted.
I end up sleeping late as I try to reclaim some sense of independence from my busy schedule, which includes work, studies, children, church, friends, exercise, a hobby (writing), and playing the same game on my phone for the past 15 years.”
In sleeping late, I find myself waking up tired, which leads to feeling rushed, irritable, and responding harshly. When I’m tired, I lack the energy for meaningful conversations, which results in superficial interactions and occasional loneliness. I often wonder, “where is this leading us, as it seems to be a shared experience with everyone else.”
Additionally, we are becoming like zombies, fixated on our phones, seeking validation through likes, dopamine, and information. Could information overload be making our brains tired? I find myself questioning this.
If that wasn’t challenging enough, we find ourselves amidst a pandemic that appears to be even more severe and damaging than COVID-19. Anxiety has become a common struggle for us all, causing us to forget the simple pleasure of sitting in the garden and embracing peace and quiet.
We are all part of this scenario. However, how can we break free from the cycle of hectic routines, anxiety, and exhaustion? This is a significant question, and one that I plan to tackle from a biblical perspective.
From Genesis to Revelation, we see God calling us to a place of rest, peace, and balance. A friend once asked me, “Can we ever achieve that? Can our lives ever reach normality?”We are called by God to the place of Rest, Peace, and Balance. God invites us to find peace, rest, and balance in Him, offering refuge to the weary and tired. But how do we get there?
Here’s where the Bible points us to:
Why is rest so important?
– God made rest “a holy thing!”
Rest is so important that God himself established the rest. He made the world and everything in it in six days, and in the seventh day He rested. But not only that. He called His rest holy.
Genesis 2:1-3 NIV
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. [2] By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. [3] Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
God, in His wisdom, understood the importance of rest for our well-being. By setting aside time for physical, emotional, and spiritual rest, we are able to recharge, revitalize, and refocus on what truly matters in life. This rest allows us to care for ourselves, support others effectively, and maintain a deep connection with God.
– God intended rest to be “a consistent thing!”
Exodus 23:12 NASBS
“Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.
A person who doesn’t make time for regular rest in their life will soon find themselves overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and potential burnout. Ignoring the need for rest can affect relationships, increase feelings of loneliness, and diminish overall contentment in life.
Individuals may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms in search of temporary relief to replace the sense of emptiness and reward themselves as a way to cope with the tiredness. That’s why it is crucial to prioritize regular rest and self-care to maintain our mental and emotional well-being.
– God intended rest to be “a refreshing thing!”
When we make time for proper rest, we can experience a divine refreshment in various aspects of our lives – mental health, physical well-being, emotions, spirit, and relationships.
By embracing rest as a holy and consistent practice as intended by God, we receive His healing for our souls. This healing provides us with the essential strength needed to keep progressing.
Psalm 23:1-3 NASBS
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. [3] He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Psalm 127:2 NASBS
It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Jeremiah 31:25 Voice
I will satisfy those who are weary, and I will refresh every soul in the grips of sorrow.
To find inner balance and strength, it is important to elevate our resting activities to a sacred level. Once we achieve that, we should establish a routine of sacred rest, breaking it down into small daily tasks that can be practiced regularly on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Through this practice, we will experience a renewal that presents us with the strength needed to excel.
“Embrace the sacredness of rest to find inner balance and strength.”
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