Living a Life of BalanceSample

Key #2 – Get Your Rest

Even in the natural, experts in performance psychology tell us that time away from work for rest and recovery will boost overall productivity. More than taking a vacation every once in a while, my best advice is to aim for daily balance. Spend some time every day resting and refreshing yourself in God’s Word. Jesus did it often. 

In John 5 we see Jesus resting, separating Himself from the crowd to refill. In Mark  we see Him sleeping in the back of the boat. Resting is not frivolous – it’s vital. You are much more efficient and effective when you’re well-rested. Conversely, you’re much less efficient and effective (in your own life and in helping anyone else) when you’re exhausted and/or stressed-out.  

Do your best to get a good sleep every night, no matter what else is going on. Psalm 127:2 says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”  You are His beloved, and sleep can cure so many things.  

Well-known minister T.D. Jakes is quoted as saying that fatigue is the “silent cancer. It robs people of creativity and secretly steals their energy and discernment. Tired people are less careful. Even simple problems seem insurmountable. When fatigue robs people of their better judgment, they make permanent decisions based on the stress of temporary circumstances. Oftentimes these people are hard to work for and hard to love.”

We all need to be aware that our energy is subject to depletion. We must guard our energy and make that a priority. Bill Hybels, founding pastor of Willow Creek church says, “Not only are physically run-down people short on energy, but they tend to be easily irritated, critical, defensive, and negative. It is hard for them to love others, and it is equally hard for others to love them.”

The late Norvel Hayes often helped people get out of depression and/or negativity just by getting them to take a break and rest. He said, “Tired people lean toward problems; rested people lean toward answers!”

Don’t wait for tomorrow to get daily rest and good sleep. Go to bed on time, and take time each day to stop and smell the roses, enjoy friends, play with your family – do things to refresh yourself. It’s well worth it in the long run.