Moments of Excellence - REST

GET SOME REST

According to medical research, there is a distinct link between the amount of rest a person gets and their emotional well-being. Ever notice that when you're tired and run down, you're also very cranky? That's because rest is an essential part of the mind-body renewal process.

In the Scriptures, we can read where God, Himself, prescribed rest for His people after an especially grueling task. In Joshua, chapter 5, God instructed Joshua to circumcise all the men before they crossed over the river Jordan. This had to be done because that generation of men were those born in the wilderness, and they had not yet properly entered into the Abrahamic covenant via circumcision. Normally, this process is done 8 days after a child is born. However, because of the sin of the previous generation, these men were behind schedule and had to experience this pain as adults. In verse 8, we see that after they were circumcised, they RESTED until they were made whole.

Rest is essential to your mental and physical and emotional well-being. When your body signals to you that its had enough, listen to what your body is telling you! There is nothing so important that getting adequate should be pushed to the bottom of your to-do list.

I know that we all have very hectic schedules. The day-to-day of it all can sometimes cause us to overlook our need to take a break. But take a break we must! Even if it's not sleep, you must get some rest!

Here are some ways that I've found help me to rest. Hopefully, they'll inspire you to do the same:

1. Take a nice, long bubble bath.
   
2. Light your favorite scented candles.
3. Listen to your favorite music CD.
4. Take a relaxing walk by a lake.
5. Go to your local bookstore, grab a cup of coffee, and read your favorite book.
6. Go to the spa and get a mani/pedi.
7. Take a nap.
8. Laugh it up with friends and/or family.
9. Go see an exceptionally good movie or play.
10. Unplug. Turn off the T.V., computer, cell phone for an entire day and just live.

Here's what the psalmist David had to say about rest:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul." - Psalm 23 1:1-3a

Rest leads to restoration, renewal, & refreshing. Now, go get some rest! :)

~Dr. D