How Do I REST?

When we hear the word rest we tend to think about sleep. However, rest is so much more than sleep. Sleep definitely affects how “rested” we feel, but so many things take away our ability to rest.

If you missed my first blog about rest go read it first and come back here.

I’m going to be breaking down REST

Relationships – with God first, and with others. Focus here.
Everyone and everything to God – Give ALL to Him. (I like the free “Pause app” to guide in this.
Space – create space in your life to rest – Jesus needed it and I promise you do too!
Turn off all media – no TV, movies, phones, computers, just BE. (It will be uncomfortable at first, but hang with it. Breathe and you will be blessed.

Let’s dive into how we do all 4 of these:

The busyness of the world, our constant pull to be “on” and “available” at every single moment day or night. It used to be you did not contact someone before a certain time of day, or after a certain time either. I remember growing up it was a thing to not call during dinner time, until the telemarketers began to change that too.

Our ability to get all the information anytime we want it has breached our boundaries with people. It then makes us feel bad when we turn off our phones or notifications and don’t respond.

On the flip side, I know I have sent texts and begin to think the worst when they are not responded to right away, or within a day….so we have all taught ourselves this is normal.

It is not.

Recently, when I was forced to re-evaluate what rest actually is, I discovered it is more than sleep, and part of that is unplugging.

From social media.

From time with people. (but not isolating) Just not overcommitting and being intentional about who you spend time with and when.

From news.

From work.

From the need to get things done.

From anything we use to stay busy. (Yep, even the okay things…like good tv shows, books, crafts, computer games etc. If you use it to stay busy or numb out, and not be with God -it’s time to re-evaluate.)

It really shouldn’t get to the point we have to step away from everything, but sometimes it does. I know all of the above because I’ve done it…stayed too busy, numbed myself out, and not done what is needed for true REST.

Here are some things I am incorporating to help me embrace rest in an everyday sense.

1. Stop picking up my phone first thing in the morning. I will turn off my alarm, but I will not check email or texts etc. until I have given my day to God and allowed myself the care and grace to not feel “pulled” into the busyness.
   
2. Fill up with God first and then get going with my day and leaving my phone nowhere near while doing this. (By the way, if you have never allowed yourself to leave your phone in another room try it. If it feels hard to do that you have a clue how addicted you are…and no judgement here it was incredibly hard for me the first time.)
   
3. Take time between tasks to breathe and release everything back to God.
   
4. Walk with God and worship Him every day. Through music, and by giving thanks for who He is and what He has done and will do.
   
5. Turn off my notifications and not look at my phone after a certain time at night. I chose 7-7:30pm. Did you know the blue light can affect your sleep? Also, the pull to stay on even if you just want to check that ONE thing, is too great.

We need to start taking care of our souls.

To do this we must REST – truly rest – which starts with unplugging.  

Here’s my reminder from last week on REST and I do pray you are able to find time to care for your soul and rest in God.

Father God,
Help me rest and truly come into relationship with You. Help me unplug, and create space for rest while also cultivating our relationship and the relationships You have me in with others. Help me have grace for myself when I don’t do this well, or when I mess it up. Remind me to just come back to You. Thank you for your grace and mercy.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

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