RELAX AND RECHARGE
In a world where our value is derived from work and busyness, we can look to God, who models the better way of rest and intrinsic value.
The biblical characteristic of rest is a crucial aspect of a believer's life, emphasizing the importance of physical, emotional, and spiritual rejuvenation. In a fast-paced world, rest might seem elusive, but the Bible provides profound insights on the value of rest and how it can be pursued in alignment with God's design.
WHAT IS REST?
According to Cambridge Dictionary(cause someone or something to) stop doing a particular activity or stop being active for a period of time in order to relax and get back your strength.
Rest holds a significant place in the Scriptures, reflecting God's own pattern of rest after the act of creation. Genesis 2:2-3 illustrates this principle: "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. 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."
Rest is not just about ceasing from physical labor; it's about replenishing the soul, finding solace in God's presence, and experiencing the renewal that comes from aligning with His rhythm.
WHY DID GOD REST AFTER CREATING THE WORLD?
In Genesis 2:2 we read, “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.” If God is omnipotent—if He has all power—it doesn’t make much sense that He would need to “rest.” After we’ve had a busy week, we take a nap—but God?
First, we should quote the verse correctly. It doesn’t say God “needed” to rest; it simply says that He did rest. Also, it is clear from Scripture that God did not rest because He was tired. Genesis 17:1 calls God the “Almighty God.” Psalm 147:5 says, “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” God is all-powerful; He never tires and never needs to rest. As Isaiah 40:28 says, “The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.” God is the sum of perfection; He is never diminished in any way, and that includes being diminished in power.
Why do you need Resting?
God is very much concerned about our overall well-being and, ultimately, the saving of our souls. Rest, both physically and spiritually, helps us create a balance between self-care and walking in the footsteps of the Master. Resting in Jesus is a theme that runs throughout the Bible and is presented from several angles.
This means that God wants us to rest in Him so that we can ultimately find His peace that will lead us into eternal rest with Him. Today we will explore different aspects of rest and how each can bring us into a saving relationship with our creator.
Life can throw so many things at us, which causes our heart to feel burdened, but God’s comfort makes our entire being respond differently to these cares. We can rest in the assurance that God’s words will bring us sustenance to carry us through any difficulty.
When we are genuinely refreshed in Christ, nothing will cause us to stumble. Habakkuk 3:18 similarly highlights this thought as it states, '…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Some key reasons why need to rest and or observe Sabbath rest:
Divine Prescription: God ordained the Sabbath for your benefit, knowing that you need dedicated time for rest and reflection.
Spiritual Renewal: Taking a break from the busyness of life allows you to refocus on your relationship with God and find spiritual rejuvenation.
Physical Restoration: Resting on the Sabbath rejuvenates not just your spirit but also your body, giving you the strength to face the challenges ahead.
Family Bonding: The Sabbath provides an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, strengthening familial relationships.
Mindful Gratitude: By resting on the Sabbath, you acknowledge God's provision and express gratitude for His blessings in your life.
The Benefits of Resting
Heals Your Body
The human body is built to thrive in a series of short sprints. This is why taking a break—even only for a few minutes—can offer you the refresh you need to persevere through your day. Breaks are brief cessations to work, physical exertion, or emotional stress. They promote mental health, boost creativity, increase productivity, promote well-being, reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen relationships.
Reduces Stress
Stress is an intrinsic aspect of life. For some, it may act as a stimulant, but for others, it feels more like a burden. Most definitions of stress invoke an internal or external challenge, disturbance, or stimulus, the perception of a challenge or physiologic response. Chronic stress suppresses your immune system and increases your risk of disease.
Boosts Creativity
When you take time to rest and relax, you are naturally more creative. Time off helps you refill your reserves. The quiet moments inspire reflection time, allowing you to break through creative barriers.
Improves Productivity
Similar to other muscles, your brain is less functional when it's fatigued. You're always more productive after a restful period—one reason why Mondays are often filled with high importance tasks or meetings; resting sharpens your brain.
Enhances Decision Making
The term "sleep on it" is accurate because rest improves your ability to make decisions. Working too long without rest reduces your concentration and can depreciate your emotional capacity.
Regularly scheduled breaks—daily and weekly—allows you to refresh your perspective, and in turn, make better decisions.
Restful Techniques
When life is busy, and task lists pile up, pencil rest into your schedule just as you would a meeting or appointment. Develop simple routines for your day that cue you to rest; it will make relaxing a breeze.
1.Practice Gratitude
Most people focus on the 'big' things they're grateful for—instead, refocus your gratitude on the little things. Research suggests positive thoughts and a grateful mind are more likely to create a happy disposition and boost overall satisfaction.
2.Take Deep Breaths
Set a goal to take five deep breaths throughout your day. Cue yourself at different intervals, which may be in an ordinary routine, i.e., in the morning while your coffee or tea brews or while you wait for your computer to turn on.
3.Cultivate Healthy Habits
Exercise reduces the adverse effects of stress, improves mood, and regulates neurotransmitters and other hormones. For optimal
4.Practice Sleep Hygiene
Getting adequate sleep is vital for physical and mental health. Often, good sleep starts with good habits. Practice sleep hygiene by optimizing your sleep schedule, pre-bed routine, and daily routines—doing so will make quality sleep automatic.
Bible Characters Who Needed Rest
Old Testament
Joseph (Genesis 37-50) - The account of Joseph’s active life spans thirteen chapters in the Bible. Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his robe and dumped him into an empty cistern. From there his brothers sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites, who then sold him as a slave to Potiphar, a noble in the Egyptian court. His wife took a liking to Joseph and when he thwarted her advances, she conspired to have him thrown in prison. His life took many turns before God gave him favor in the Pharaoh’s eyes and made him second-in charge of all Egypt. But before that event, Joseph surely cried out to the Lord for rest due to his brothers’ deceit and abandonment.
David (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Psalms) – Because King Saul disobeyed the Lord (1 Chronicles 10:13), David was chosen to be Israel’s next king. The anointing came before Saul died, however, and Saul sought David’s life in various ways, to the point David fled and even lived among Israel’s enemies, the Philistines.
Job (The book of Job) – Job provides a pointed lesson for us in how to rest in God. In the midst of his great loss, accusatory friends, and physical suffering, Job cried, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25).
New Testament
Jesus – Who better to give us a model for rest than our Lord Jesus? On the night before He was betrayed, He cried out to the Father, “saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus rested in the Father’s will.
Paul – Paul knew his ministry was about to end, and he encouraged Timothy with these words, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-7). Paul knew all his rest was found in the Lord.
Where Does the Bible Mention Rest?
Few Bible Verses about Rest
Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11: 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11: 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Hebrews 4: 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
Hebrews 4: 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Hebrews 4: 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Psalms 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Philippians 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Genesis 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Genesis 2:3 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.
Exodus 20: 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Exodus 20: 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.
Psalms 55:6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
The Different Types of Rest You Actually Need
1. Physical rest
Not surprisingly, the first rest we need as humans is physical rest. This is a rest from the physical activities that fatigue us. Sleep, relaxation, and napping fall under the category of physical rest. Paradoxically, so does "active" physical rest (as much as it may sound like an oxymoron). Active physical rest refers to light, restorative activities, such as yoga, stretching, or massages.
2. Mental rest
Are you a person whose brain turns on the second you hit the pillow? You may be struggling with a mental rest deficit. Sleep is helpful, but never feels restorative enough. Relying on coffee to get you through the day may work in the short-run, but in the long-run further perpetuates racing thoughts, worries, or mental processing.
To assist with mental rest, Dalton-Smith encourages short breaks throughout the work day, or journaling before bedtime. One activity I often engage in with my own clients to assist with mental chatter is something called "thought diffusion." Thought diffusion is a mental exercise to help create distance between thoughts and emotions. It is the concept of observing thoughts as they flow in and gently allowing them to pass without placing any pressure on them to move faster or slower. One can use the metaphor of leaves floating down a stream, or clouds passing in the sky.
3. Sensory rest
We live in a world of constant stimulation: screens, conversations, lights, music, pets, children, etc. Dalton-Smith discusses the concept of intentional moments of sensory deprivation to help recharge ourselves from being overstimulated. In my own practice, I often advise clients to allow at least 45 minutes without screen time before bed.
Another helpful exercise is something called "Five senses grounding." Five senses grounding allows us to focus on one sense at a time and become present and grounded within it.
4. Emotional rest
Emotional rest allows us the space to be authentic. If someone asks you how you’re doing after recognizing you are visibly upset, and you respond with, "fine," such a suppression of emotions places added internal pressure on you.
Instead, we can allow ourselves to be authentic, stating, “I’m actually really frustrated with __.” This release and authenticity allow our emotional circuit to feel more rested. Emotional rest also means surrounding ourselves with others who help provide emotional peace.
5. Social rest
Understanding whether you are an introvert, or an extrovert is important. Do you gain energy from others, or do you feel drained after spending time with others? Understanding the limits of our "social battery" can help us realize when we need to recharge. This is a crucial conversation to have with your partner, as people have different thresholds of sociability. One partner may be ready to leave the party three hours in, while the second partner is just getting started.
6. Creative rest
For those of us working in creative fields, creative rest is an absolute must. How often do we struggle with writer’s block, creative fatigue, or burnout from brainstorming or problem-solving? One way to achieve creative rest is to surround yourself with inspiration while simultaneously taking the pressure off having to "do" something with it.
In conclusion, by praying for spiritual rest, God's presence in rest, Sabbath observance, rest in God's provision, release from anxieties, contentment, renewed strength, quietness of soul, trust in God's timing, and God's guidance and direction, Christians can actively seek the experience of the biblical concept of rest.
Reference: Biblical Pathway, Biblestudy Tools, Wisdom Online, Christianity, Christian Wall and others
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