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“Rest Busters”

Habits & Routines· Playtime & Rest

29 Feb

Some years ago our son entered the front door and saw this former procrastinator sitting on the sofa reading a book. He stopped immediately and looking at me said, “I want to see more of that around here!” He knew the path of my feet should take me to rest along the way. And he knew I most often ignored that truth.

Since “rest” is “to cease work in order to relax or refresh oneself,” we see self- serving. Let’s realize it means being a good steward of the heart, mind, and body God has given us to use on earth. Rest is part of respecting God’s design; it helps us stay on the road He wants us on. Our continual need for restoration requires regular attention.

Many of us rarely rest because of needs and demands from people we truly love and want to serve. Yet if we neglect our own maintenance, we actually serve others less effectively. I did that for years.

What are some “rest busters” that steal our refreshment?

  • Earning favor. A woman who believes in Jesus can stop struggling to earn a ticket to heaven. Rest in the finished work of Christ brings joyful relief and peace.
  • Viewing activities as requirements instead of opportunities. We don’t have to participate in every educational, church, business, or social function that comes along. We can view them as opportunities, not requirements.
  • Neglected tasks. Work we procrastinate doing hangs over us. Dread or guilt saps our strength. Completion of the job brings rest.
  • Misguided effort to get more done. This is pushing to cross another thing off the list when we should put up our feet a few minutes and sip a cup of tea.
  • Overloaded schedules. We can pack less in a day.
  • Failure to delegate/perfectionism. Combine these for “I gotta do it myself.” We can let others learn.
  • Doing tough jobs in our “lowest” time of day. This is not entirely avoidable. Still, if we tackle our toughest jobs when our brains and physical energy are strong, then we “gain” time and energy. I can do a task better in the morning in a third of the time it takes in the evening.
  • No boundaries. Sometimes we’ve taught colleagues and family we don’t need rest. We take every project or run to fetch whatever is wanted. We can teach others to respect rest. We can courteously decline – if optional. If appropriate, we can say, “No, not now. These are Mom’s Minutes to be quiet.” We can establish a daily rest time for the household (not necessarily sleep).
  • Excessive TV or computer. These can be our default behavior when we want rest. Overdone, they can lead to more fatigue because they can disturb or dull us mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Long term sitting works against heart and muscle strength.
  • Acting as if rest is optional. It’s required.

What “rest busters” snatch your time?

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

Carole S.

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2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”

Rebecca F.

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2018-08-16T14:43:28-04:00

Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/rebecca-f/
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Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
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Cindy C.

"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

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2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/christine-b/
"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."

Julia F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

Julia F.

"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/julia-f/
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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