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Rest Well – Freedom’s Call

Freedom· Playtime & Rest

22 Jul

For some of us former procrastinators, rest is actually one of the things we put off.  We don’t think we have the freedom to relax.  We have a backlog of items on our do list and feel guilty for being behind.  We just don’t think we can stop or even pause to take a break.  So we push on trying to do more.  This thinking is counter-productive.  It works against us and our efforts because it drags both down.

Since we’re designed to need rest, we cooperate with the Lord when we get a good night’s sleep or prop up our feet for a little rejuvenation during the day. We know Jesus is our best rest and we’re grateful we don’t have to strive for salvation.  We also need to learn to rest from our labors. Let’s take advantage of these summer weeks by taking a break from pushing so hard to accomplish.  Do less, snooze in a lawn chair, log an extra hour in bed.

If you’re in a spot where you must push forward with some projects, enlist help.  Maybe there’s a high schooler who could watch your kids or work beside you so you complete what you need to.  Or maybe you and a friend could swap babysitting and work days.  Ask the Lord for ideas and provision so that you can get out from under what weighs you down and enjoy some free, restful time.

I checked out Essentialism again – because rest is essential.  McKeown sums it up by saying overwork can threaten our health and our ability to contribute.  He urges us to “protect the asset.”  He explains, the best asset we have for making a contribution to the world is ourselves. (God has put His Spirit in us, His earthly vessels.) We don’t want to damage the very tool we need to make our highest contribution.  Sleep is not an enemy of productivity, but vital for peak performance.  We should see sleep as necessary for making the best contribution.

Ericsson’s famous study of violinists showed the best of them were not more talented – they practiced more. The second most important factor differentiating the best from the good was – sleep.  The best averaged over 8 hours a day plus nearly 3 hours of napping a week.  (This is not possible for everybody.  But what might the Lord provide if we asked Him and made rest a priority?)  The point is that while the best violinists practiced more they also got more out of their practice because they were better rested.

McKeown says sleep deprivation compromises our ability to discern values and thus our ability to prioritize.  When we can’t tell what matters most, our contribution is less.

Whether we contribute in an office with clients, teaching little ones, or working outdoors, we need the brain power to make wise decisions and interact well.

God gives us freedom to relax.  He’ll help.

How would your contribution improve if you were well rested?

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1 Comment

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Comments

  1. Lynn says

    July 22, 2019 at 10:05 am

    What a timely reminder beth! I have just returned to the USa from a trip to albania…🙂. I am feeling sleep deprived at the moment – but You have caused me to pause and reflect on how often i compromise the amount of sleep i get each night.

    Thank you!!!

    Reply

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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 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."

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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/
“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.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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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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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