Fatigue can take an extra toll on recovering procrastinators. We tire of trying, working, serving, keeping on. Is exhaustion pushing you off the road that leads to your God-directed destination? Need a little rest?
Yes! God says we do.
We say, “Can’t stop now.” “After this is done.” “No time.”
Used habitually, those responses disregard God’s attitude toward rest and His design for us.
We cooperate with Him when we get the rest we need. And we are better able to stay on the road.
Lack of rest can be thrust upon us – an unexpected deadline at work or a colicky baby. However, lack of rest is often a result of our choices. We develop lifestyles of little rest. We pay and so do those around us.
God saw rest as so important that He Himself rested after creation (Genesis 2:1-3), and in the Ten Commandments He instructed His people to rest. (Exodus 20:8-11).
Let’s focus on the fact that God saw rest as so significant that He sanctified it – set it apart.
My tendency is to hope for rest – not to SAFEGUARD it.
Why do I do that? I have not valued rest as God does. I’ve seen rest as indulging; He sees it as necessary. He designed me with a continual need for restoration. He expects me to give regular time to that. I expect to keep driving myself and hope for relief somewhere.
That’s working against God. So, I’ve decided to stop putting off rest.
I have to figure this out. How much sleep do I need and when should I go to bed? How can I maximize my best time of day to do thoughtful work? (That would facilitate rest at another time.) What rests me and recharges my battery? (Reading, napping, thinking?) What things do I allow to infringe on rest? (Computer, phone calls, poor planning?) How can I safeguard rest time weekly and daily? (Regularly, not perfectly!)
Procrastination takes energy and denies us rest. It drains our strength by increasing the physical, mental, and emotional burden we carry every time we employ it. Even if we don’t want to do a job – ESPECIALLY if we don’t want to do a job – doing it provides relief. Putting it off applies more pressure.
If I put off rest, it’s a double whammy.
The path of our feet should take us to rest along the way.
What is restful for you and how do you safeguard that time?
Beth, What a blessing you are. We met in a hotel lobby late at night last year. You were so sweet to my daughter and you have been a blessing to me ever since. I’m so glad I met you and thank God for you.
Patty! I remember. How nice to “see” you again! You are blessing me right now. I’m glad we met and glad you are among my sisters. A big “Hello” to your sweet daughter!
One thing I have done since the kids became old enough is make time for reading at the end of each day, from 1/2 and hour to a couple of hours. (Yes!) I believe it has helped me a great deal to be calmer in life, even if certain things are left undone. (Obviously, life continued without my doing those things!) But it is a fine line between getting rest, and procrastinating, so I still have to be vigilant!
How wonderful, Lynn! We’d all like to be in your family! What an interesting observation about being calmer. I can imagine that benefit. The years when we read at night, I believe, had a similar effect on me and all of our family. (Now that you mention it.) Yes, discerning between procrastination and rest takes vigilance – and honesty.