The Power of Rest: Why It’s Not a Waste of Time

 

Rest is crucial for both mental and physical well-being. It helps the body recover, reduces stress, and improves focus. When we take time to rest, we're not just being lazy; we're allowing our minds and bodies to recharge, which boosts our productivity and creativity. Lack of rest can lead to burnout, making it harder to think clearly and accomplish tasks. Prioritizing rest ensures we have the energy needed to tackle daily challenges effectively.

Our cat Patty takes rest and sleep very seriously.  I've been in and out of the house for appointments today and she's been curled up in her bed enjoying a very long snooze.

My husband Jon is the opposite of Patty.  He has so much that he needs and wants to do and very little time to do it so his rule is that he'll sleep when he's dead.  God doesn't agree with Jon and will have him sleep just as he's put on a movie after everyone else has gone to bed.  

According to page 181 of "Wake Up to the Word"  by Joyce Meyer,  to sleep is 

"To take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind."

As for me, I try to follow a sleep schedule where I go to bed and wake up roughly the same time every day.  I've read this is what I should do and I to tend to like being on a schedule.

I also know sleep is important for recovery from CrossFit. Our muscles experience small micro tear when we exercise, especially lifting weights.  Sleep and protein help the muscles recover and grow. My mind also needs rest from work tasks, to do lists, and even blog work. 

There are nights when I settle into bed, exhausted from the day’s activities. My body craves rest, but sleep often evades me. I lie there in the quiet, feeling both weary and restless. Every minute seems to stretch on longer than the last. In these moments, I turn to prayer, asking God for the gift of peace and rest. I seek comfort in knowing that He hears my pleas.

Some nights, my prayers are answered quickly, and sleep washes over me like a gentle wave, wrapping me in its embrace. Other times, it takes longer. I grapple with thoughts that swirl in my mind, making it hard to find tranquility. Yet, even during these struggles, I hold onto my faith. In time, rest does come. It arrives like a comforting friend, bringing relief from the day’s burdens. No matter how long it takes, I find solace in knowing that sleep will eventually find me.

Resources: 

Joyce Meyer's Wake Up to the Word

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools

YouVersion - Scripture Image