5 R's of Finding Rest
I’ve found myself overwhelmed recently with the busyness of my schedule. I keep thinking its going to slow down and it never does. Rather than continuing to sink and hope it gets better, I've decided to tackle the problem head first and figure out how to live effectively and joyfully in the midst of the busyness. This is a follow up to the blog I posted a few months ago, Infinitely Important of Insignificant. I definitely do not have it all figured out, but here are some practical ways I am working on prioritizing my faith and finding rest. I hope this helps anyone else who is feeling as overwhelmed as I am feeling.
I truly believe that God wants us to have fun and enjoy this life he has given us! Travel and hike and take naps and read books! Have fun with your friends, making decisions that are honoring to God. Deliberately make time in your schedule to veg out, but also time to exercise and take care of the body God has given you. I heard a talk by Pastor Rick Warren one time that said if you do not have time to rest, you are sinning. Up there with “Do not murder” is “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” God commands us to rest. God rested on the 7th day. Not because he needed to, but because rest is such a good idea.
Here are a couple articles from Relevant Magazine that I’ve read recently that I really like and are very relevant to what I’m trying to accomplish:
“We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.” Francis Chan
1. Regular time to talk with God-
This is of utmost importance. I put this first because it is by far the thing that is helping me the most. My day is drastically different if I start it out with time with God. My new resolution is not to look at Facebook or Instagram or any other thing on my phone before my quiet time. Iphones now have a "Do Not Disturb" feature. I have this turned on from 11pm until 7am, when I am typically done with my quiet time. This means that my phone will not vibrate or ring to distract me before I can get focused on God for the day. The more influence my brain has after waking up, the less focused and connected my quiet time will be. It transforms how I think, how I interact with others, and my overall mood for the entire day. How can you expect to have an intimate relationship with someone that you don’t talk with or listen to? God knows everything about us. He knows every hair on our head and every thought in our brain. (See Psalm 139) He knows our prayers and our desires. Talking to him is good, prayer is important. The power of prayer is undeniable. However, I want to argue that of greater importance is listening to God. Beth Moore’s book Praying God's Word Day by Day is an awesome book that has helped me figure out how to pray through scripture. Which leads me to the next method…2. Read and meditate on His word-
God has given us the ultimate gift- His Word. The bible is the living word of God, creator of the universe, savior of our souls. How cool is that? His word is informative, encouraging, challenging, and comforting. I spend time reading scripture every day and try to pull out of it practical life applications from it. Journal Journal Journal! I can’t emphasize enough how much journaling the things that I pull from my quiet times has benefited me. I love going back and looking at what God has done and spoken to me. It also helps me see when he is telling me something over and over. The second thing I’ve recently started doing is meditating on scriptures. The way I started out doing this was by searching on you tube “Scripture meditation.” There are some great videos with soothing music and scriptures being read. Each morning, I close my eyes and listen to these. During the mediation, I pray about the scriptures being read. I’m blown away by how this simple thing can calm my mind, get rid of distractions, and bring me into awesome prayer time with God.
3. Relationships with others-
God doesn't want us to do this alone! We are called to be in relationship with others. Here are a few scriptures and quotes to support this-
a. Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
b. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
c. C.S. Lewis-“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
d. Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”
Invest in solid Christian friendships. Make an effort to spend time with the people who encourage you spiritually. I am a strong believer in having non-Christian friendships as well. Jesus encourages this. With that, we must remember that Satan is ALWAYS up to his ways of cunning and deceiving. In order to not be dragged into the world, we must invest in encouraging, Christian friends who are willing to call you out on your stuff. On that note, be able and ready to accept rebuke.
a. Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
b. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
c. C.S. Lewis-“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
d. Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”
Invest in solid Christian friendships. Make an effort to spend time with the people who encourage you spiritually. I am a strong believer in having non-Christian friendships as well. Jesus encourages this. With that, we must remember that Satan is ALWAYS up to his ways of cunning and deceiving. In order to not be dragged into the world, we must invest in encouraging, Christian friends who are willing to call you out on your stuff. On that note, be able and ready to accept rebuke.
4. Random acts of kindness-
Its amazing how giving to others can rejuvenate us. The only reason, I used the word “Random” was for alliteration purposes. Planned out acts of kindness are ok too. This can be little things like letting someone in front of you in line at the grocery store or big things like paying for their groceries. Listen to and obey God’s promptings. He usually speaks in a still quiet voice. When we quiet down our life enough to listen and obey, the blessings are endless. God is very clear in His Word that he blesses those who bless others.
Psalm 41: 1-3
Blessed is the one who considers the poor!
In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;
the Lord protects him and keeps him alive;
he is called blessed in the land;
you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.
Psalm 41: 1-3
Blessed is the one who considers the poor!
In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;
the Lord protects him and keeps him alive;
he is called blessed in the land;
you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.
The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.
5. Relax and enjoy Him! –
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”
Here are a couple articles from Relevant Magazine that I’ve read recently that I really like and are very relevant to what I’m trying to accomplish:
What the World Needs Now- Rest
10 Ways to do Adulthood Well
5 Things You Learn About Your Faith In Your 20's
Today, take time to soak in God’s word. Invest in the believers around you. Live your life in love with your savior and His people.
10 Ways to do Adulthood Well
5 Things You Learn About Your Faith In Your 20's
Today, take time to soak in God’s word. Invest in the believers around you. Live your life in love with your savior and His people.
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