Time out 

‘And on the seventh day God ended his work...and he rested.’ Genesis 2:2 KJV 

Are you having trouble keeping up the pace? Is the strain showing up in your family, your health and your attitude? Do you feel guilty and unproductive when you try to relax? If so, here are a few things you need to consider today: 1) Take time out when you need it. Refuse to be intimidated by the opinions of others. People have a tendency to think they know what’s best for you. They don’t; only you know when you need a break! 2) If your loved ones have to choose between having less or having you, they’ll always choose you. The trouble is we don’t give them a choice. Look out. Your lifestyle is your child’s blueprint. If you neglect them now, don’t be upset when they neglect you later because they’re climbing the same ladder. 3) Don’t use work as a narcotic. Workaholism, like any other addiction, only masks the real problem. There’s emptiness inside you that only God can fill. And He will, if you let Him! 4) Effort without reward eventually destroys motivation. Whether it’s you, your children or your employees, everybody needs time to recharge their batteries. If you work hard, play hard. The truth is rest time is the best time to assess your life, your dreams, your heartaches and your faith. The power of rest is what allows you to enjoy the journey and not just the destination. 

Prayer Point:

Give me the strength, Lord, to take time off without feeling guilty and without agreeing to fill that space to the point where I feel more drained than when I began. Help me, Lord, to use that time to rest, reflect and connect with You. Even in my work time, Lord, help me wake in the mornings, so that the peace that I gain there would have dominion over the tough parts of the day. Amen.