Hi how are you all today? I am well and have had a great weekend. I am writing this a day late as I served in kids church last night. The more I serve here the more comfortable I feel. Have you ever noticed that?
This week I want to talk about something God has been challenging me on. That is, am I zoning out or really resting?
Let’s look at a scenario that could be common for some of us. We have had a busy day at work and have come home and prepared the meal and cleaned up, dealt with our children’s needs and done all the chores we have energy for.
Then instead of going to bed, we sit or lie down and start scrolling on our phones. We are not really searching for or even looking at anything in particular. We are zoning out. Is this what God wants for us at these particular times?
Probably not but if He is dealing with me over it, He could be dealing with you too.
Let’s look at a verse in Hebrews 12 in the Message Bible as our starting point.
Part of verses 1 to 3 states:
It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins
Chapter 12 is talking about discipline in a long distance race. Imagine we need to run 10km a day over two days. We need to make sure we are fit and can run the distance. Our backpack must be light and have only the essentials. Last thing is we need to eat properly and rest so we can endure. If we are spending hours in mindless pursuits, we won’t be rested to win the race and our endurance is going to be stifled.
So now we know we need rest, does God help us with this? Absolutely! If you have trouble getting to sleep, here is your verse:
Psalm 127: 1-2 in the Message Bible states:
1-2 If God doesn’t build the house,
the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?
I really like the last part- don’t you know God enjoys giving rest to those He loves. God does not want us burning the candle at all hours of the night. It is not His best for us. The bit before this states that it’s useless to rise early and go to bed late- why- because that produces stress and we don’t get the rest God has graciously given to us.
Part of Proverbs 3: 21-26 in the Message Bible states:
You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he’ll keep you safe and sound.
These verses tell us that we can enjoy a good nights sleep because God is with us. We don’t need to be afraid or worried. Sometimes we mindlessly scroll on our phones because we are afraid of going to sleep. Don’t be- God is with you.
So what are some strategies to stop zoning out and start resting more:
- Set an alarm when you start to scroll that reminds you to stop.
- Set a bed time reminder on your phone and stick to it.
- Make sure you are ready for the next day before zoning out.
- Be accountable to someone.
- Start praying when you find yourself in the zone.
God is fine with us having leisure time but not at the expense of our relationship with him or the healthy habits that He has set out for us like eating well, exercising, sunlight and getting a good nights sleep.
So this week if you find yourself zoning not sleeping, talk to God and see what He wants you doing. You will be surprised by how He answers.
Bless you and keep living the life God intended for you.
Karen
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