It’s Okay to Rest

Rest is not a luxury you earn when you are finished with creative work. It’s a discipline you cultivate to make you more creative. - John Spencer

This is a continuation from my previous piece “It’s Okay to Say No”. Resting can be interpreted as being lazy and accomplishing nothing. How many times have we taken a nap and felt guilty? If we decide to spend our weekend doing nothing, why do we feel bad? Why do we feel like we are not accomplishing anything or like we are missing out on life? It’s time to get rid of that guilt. That incessant need to constantly keep doing something. There are three questions I want you to ask yourself.

One. Were you ever made to feel like you weren’t enough? Sometimes we tend to push ourselves to prove something. Maybe someone called us lazy at one point in our life. Maybe someone treated us like we had nothing to contribute. None of these define the person that you are. You are who you choose to be, and you my friend are enough. No matter what you have done in your life, you are enough. Sometimes in our past or present, when we feel questioned it can make us want to push hard to make a point. But I am here to tell you that the only point that needs to be made is the one you make to yourself and to your God. Trust me. He sent His son to die for you on the cross. You were worth it and are enough. 

Two. Do you feel like you have an endless list of things that need to get done? Is it to the point where you feel one little break will overwhelm you? Then let’s take a look at that crazy schedule and find ways to take a step back. We can’t have you so busy that you miss your blessing. Yes, that is a thing. One weapon the devil uses is keeping you busy enough to miss the sign that God is trying to send you about a new opportunity. Or too exhausted for it as well. There are going to be some things you will have to say no to. The world will not end or burn down. Also, God does not give us more than we can bear. He will always send help when we ask. So, let’s get that list and find ways to cut it down so you can get that badly needed rest.

Three. Do you feel like resting is a waste of time? Let’s take a look at that for a moment. Say you work out every day, would that be good for your muscles to not get a day of rest? What if we were to constantly drive a car without stopping? Running without stopping will find you at the mercy of your body forcing you to rest. At that point it will be painful. A headache. A pulled tendon. A sprained ankle. A heart attack. I hope my point is coming through. Why wait for pain when you can pause on your own peacefully and get the rest you need. Resting is not pointless. It has purpose. It gives you a chance to refresh and recuperate. You return faster and better and keep moving forward. God worked for 6 days and created the world including us by the 6th day. Then He gave us an example of a good work week by resting on the 7th.

Rest has purpose. Just as work has purpose. We should be intentional with both. Let’s get rid of that guilt and understand that with work comes rest. You deserve it. You can afford to. You are not wasting any time. You are going to accomplish amazing things with both. Now let’s go take that badly needed nap and get ready to make a difference after!