Embracing RestSample

SENSORY REST

From the time we are born, especially as little babies, we have constantly used all five of our senses to navigate and understand our world. No wonder we can experience sensory overload and feel a bit overwhelmed. The enemy can even use our senses to steal, kill, and destroy our rest (John 10:10).

Sensory rest is our opportunity to downgrade the endless onslaught of sensory input received from electronics, fragrances, and background noise. Psalm 46:10 tells us to BE STILL and KNOW that I am God. This may be a call to turn off all the sensory stimulation into a rich rest. Can we sit still in the simple and beautiful “quiet” and find rest? Do we need some outer stimulation?

Which of your five senses most needs a break? Could your eyes use some rest from all the images we see each day? Could your ears use some quiet time by experiencing pure silence? Could you treat your tastebuds to something that tastes divine and not mundane? Could your sense of touch be heightened through a hot bath in the dark, just relaxing to help you center? Are you inundated with too many smells? Choose your favorite smells and incorporate them into your day. Consider the smell of nature after a cleansing rain. Consider sensory rest and quieting your soul as a part of your daily personal care plan. Choose a season to sit in the quiet and “be still and know that He is God.” He is a good God who knows your every need.

PRAYER:

“Lord, I am so overstimulated in this world that I cannot find my place of rest. Circumstances, people, events, and certainly the news are often attacking my sensory system and my rest in You alone. You said, “Be still and know that I am God.” Where is Your stillness in my busy world? Help me to realize that my sensory busyness is a scheme of my enemy to rob, steal, and destroy my rest…to take me from peace into chaos through every sense of my being. Show me where I can rest my senses throughout the day. I know You beckon Me and my senses to be filled and overflowing with Your indwelling wholeness. I submit to You rest and peace and choose not to be overly stimulated any longer.”