Recovery, Refreshment, Renewal
Are you the type of person who is like the Energizer Bunny and just keeps going? Or, are you the type of person who just sits around like a Lazy Larry? Are you setting unrealistic goals for your day? Or are you pacing yourself to not only be productive, but remembering to take a moment to rest as well? Life is about balance – the recovery, refreshment and renewal of your soul.
You can renew your spirit and strength, if you take time to rest your soul… Lailah Gifty Akita
Confession!
I am oftentimes an Energizer Bunny. I will set unrealistic goals or daily achievements that no sane-minded person would attempt. I may start my day with a list of 5 To-Do items, but by the end of the day – there are 25 unimportant items waiting to be crossed off. I even add items to my list that weren’t there just to cross them off. Just to see that I get a lot accomplished. I go go go until I am literally exhausted or I snap at a family member. I must confess that this attitude and method is not healthy for my soul.
Flipping the coin to the other side – the Lazy Larry’s. I can fall into this category sometimes, but after a while, I get antsy and have to go do something. Being a Lazy Larry can deplete your energy, cause you to become depressed, cause brain fog and turn you into that ‘I don’t care’ type of person. This too, is not healthy for your soul.
I read a very good devotional called Making Time For Rest and it was fantastic! I am currently reading one called The Rest Of Your Life which is also turning out to be outstanding. In Making Time For Rest – the author explains how rest is not about being lazy. Rest is about RECOVERY – knowing our limits and needing sleep, Rest is about REFRESHMENT – what energizes us; doing activities that refresh our spirit, and Rest is about RENEWAL – spending time with God so we are spiritually made new.
Matthew 11:28:
Come to me all of you who are tired and have heavy loads and I will give you rest
Today’s schedules are so toxic that we have forgotten what it feels like to not have to rush. It is like busyness has become acceptable. We are often buying into the lie that we need to achieve a magnitude of items before we are even finished our breakfast. We need to realize that this is a lie! We need to break that habit! We need to make time for rest. Make time for recovery, refreshment and renewal. You have The Rest Of Your Life (paraphrased from that devotional).
Take a break from distractions. Yes, they may be good in the moment – a way to take your mind away from the ‘issue’ or ‘hard moment’ but in the end – they only depleted us from rest. But how do we do this?
Types of Distractions:
- Binge watching TV
- Candy Crush
- All the ‘Socials’
- YouTube
- News
So what distracts you? What steals your peace? What makes you feel like it is urgent and has to be done this instant? Whatever is your distraction – you need to find a way to decrease it or eliminate it.
We need to Fill Up and Pour Out. The reason we need to rest is because we are working or exerting energy. Getting rest for the sake of rest is not the point of rest. We rest so we can work again. We rest so we can help others. We rest so we can be a servant to God. So we can Fill Up (rest) and Pour Out (help/work).
We must make daily deposits in our rest bucket to live and pay attention when too many withdrawals are occurring.
- Get plenty of sleep
- Eliminate distractions and learn to say no
- Spend time with God
There is an old saying, “Come back tomorrow – I’ll have more”. We wake up with a certain amount of mental, emotional, and physical energy. When we pour it all out, we must rest – reflect, and recover to renew our mind, body and soul. We need to listen to that small still voice inside (God) and not let life be too loud and noisy. We were designed for peace.
So, as you reflect on your day today – think about the three R’s.
How will you recovery today?
How will you refresh your mind body and soul today?
How will you be renewed?
Do you need to eliminate distractions or constant loudness in order to achieve the peace and joy you are designed to have? Take a break – sit and listen to the birds chirping or the river rapids. Take a peaceful walk or have coffee with a friend.
Go to sleep in peace – God is awake…. Victor Hugo
Remember that you are not alone. I am learning to say no if I am unable to do something. I am learning to stop and not add any more to my list. I am learning that it is ok to rest. I am a work in progress. Do you need someone to help you learn to stop? If so, I am here for you. Click the button below and send me a note. We can learn to rest together.
Note: This blog was adapted by Making Time For Rest and The Rest Of Your Life devotionals which can be both found on the Bible App