How often do you get out of bed in the morning and feel more tired than when you went to bed? Our lives have become very busy, almost to the point of being out of control. We have responsibilities we did not volunteer for, have to make peace with folks we do not know, and avoid conflicts with our thoughts and plans. We are so busy with all the elements of our lives that we sometimes do not notice that we are worn thin and out of balance. Sometimes it is hard not to give up and quit. The usually happy, industrious person has become cranky, judgmental, and hateful. It is hard to like and appreciate ourselves, so we cannot expect others to like us. Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, (Reynolds, 2019) author of Sacred Rest reminds us that sleep is not necessarily the rest we need. She has found that her patients must satisfy seven different types of rest to be completely restored. These types of rest are Mental, Spiritual, Emotional, Social, Sensory, Creative, and Physical. Each one of these types of rest is earthly and also controlled by God.
We have all had nights when our mental rest is interrupted by our mind that will not stop thinking about the day’s events or some worry about tomorrow. Philippians 4:8 gives a remedy for this problem: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Spiritual rest is not about a problem at church or our faith but questioning why things that make no sense to us happen. Sometimes we worry that evil will win and doubt that there is something more powerful than ourselves. Jude 1:22 suggests that we have mercy on those who doubt. This should include being merciful to ourselves. As we age and get busy with life, we tend to turn off the creative and fun part of our brains. Creative rest allows us to enjoy thoughts that are enjoyable and relaxing. Romans 12:2 directs us to “not conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds.” Who does not enjoy happy thoughts? During the day, we are beaten with noise from traffic, computers, television, family, and many other things we cannot control. Sensory overload prevents sensory rest. Proverbs 17:1 suggests it is “better a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” Social rest is sometimes hard to explain and to understand. People generally surround us, but sometimes they do not satisfy our socialization needs. We have all felt the odd feeling of being alone in a crowded room. We all must be loved, touched, and appreciated by the right people to achieve satisfaction. Ephesians 4:2-3 describes this need: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” One of the more difficult types of rest is emotional rest. We are all required to perform tasks for our friends and families, we have obligations at church, home, and work. Everything and everyone is serious, and we forget to laugh and smile, which causes more stress. We often fail to surround ourselves with folks who allow us to relax and enjoy life. Everything is not a crisis. John 14:27 covers this issue: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The final type of rest that needs to be restored entirely is physical rest, which should be the easiest to achieve. But somehow, we forget that our bodies need time to recover and restore, just like the other areas of our health. Running a marathon or sitting at a desk all day affects the physical body. We should remember to take care of our bodies because Paul in First Corinthians chapter 6 makes it very clear that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit in each of us. Paul says that we should glorify God in our bodies and spirit, both of which belong to God. By respecting and caring for our physical bodies, we release tension and stress and allow our bodies to heal.
It has been well established that to be healthy and to stay strong, we must allow our minds, bodies, and spirits to get proper nourishment, care, and rest. If we do not take care of the different parts of what makes us whole, we will suffer mentally, physically, and spiritually. In Jeremiah 30:17, God promised to restore health to the Israelites, healing their various wounds. “This verse is a powerful declaration of God’s unwavering promise to heal and restore those who may be hurting or suffering. It reminds us of God’s love and compassion, assuring us that no matter how broken we may feel, God is always there to bring healing and wholeness in our lives. This verse speaks to the comforting and reassuring nature of God, who is always ready to mend our wounds and bring us back to health.” (Johnson, n.d.) Restoration appears in the Bible 136 times. Examples start in Genesis and end in Revelation. A study of restorations gives many insights into God’s divine (Master) plan for salvation and renewal. Just look at the season change and know restoration is everywhere.
Johnson, R. M. (n.d.). What does Jeremiah 30:17 really mean? Retrieved from Gods Blessings: https://godsbless.ing/commentary/jeremiah/jeremiah_30_17/#
Reynolds, M. (2019, 3 23). How to Regain Your Energy Throughout Your Day. Retrieved from Psychology Today: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/201903/how-to-regain-your-energy-throughout-your-day?msockid=3e80c762f9586b6429cbd29af8756ac1