Cultivating Rest in a Busy World

Take a look at five ways we’re seeking to cultivate rest in our lives this spring!

I’m at the end of a season during which I—admittedly—said yes to too many things. Saying no can be a difficult thing for me. I don’t want to miss out or I see the value in the experience—and I say yes without a second thought—until I’m in the middle of a season of running from one thing to the next and I’m mentally, physically and spiritually exhausted. 

If you’re familiar with CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinders), my top strength is Achiever. There’s something in me that loves a good checklist and feels a sense of accomplishment when I can tick off the things I’ve done that day that moved projects, ideas and tasks forward. Sometimes, that part of me regards taking time to rest (physically, mentally and spiritually) as being lazy—which is to be avoided at all costs. 

I just keep going until I can’t, felled by exhaustion, tears, anger or illness. So, in this season when we’re focusing on cultivating the most important things in our lives, how can I stop seeing rest as laziness and instead view it as a valuable tool for living the abundant life I’m called to live? 

Here are a few ways I’m seeking to cultivate real rest in my busy world this spring. 

1. Practicing Sabbath. I’ve always thought Sabbath was important, but Ruth Haley Barton’s book Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest really forced me to think about the value of Sabbath and reevaluate my practice of it. In this season when I’ve felt overwhelmed and exhausted, I’ve also discovered a pattern: I often stop practicing Sabbath because I’m “too busy.” My body, mind and soul needs a physical break each week that allows me to recharge and refocus. When I don’t take that time, my life often feels chaotic and out of control.
   

2. Knowing My Limits. A few weeks ago, I realized that I’d committed myself to something every night of the week, Monday through Friday. So, after a full day of work each day, I was rushing to get to the next place. All of the things were good. Some of them were focused on having fun or getting to hang out with friends and people I love. But it also made me feel rushed as I ran from one thing to the next. Sometimes, for me, rest looks like saying no to something good so that I can take a deep breath, a long walk with my dog and simply enjoy my home. Racing from one commitment to the next, even commitments I like, is stressful and exhausting to me. I’ve learned that I am better emotionally, better at work and better in my relationships if instead of loading every night of my week with something, I remember to schedule at least one night to be at home without somewhere to be by a specific time. (Which means that I sometimes have to say no to things that sound like a lot of fun.) Learn the signs that you need rest, then seek to provide your mind, body and soul with the rejuvenation it needs!
   

3. Understanding the difference between rest and laziness. It’s hard for me to stop working, simply because there’s always something that needs to be done. But we actually need rest and prioritizing it refreshes and restores us, giving us the strength to do the things God has called us to do. Rest is about restoration; laziness is about self-indulgence. Rest readies us for service and reenergizes us so we can fulfill our responsibilities; laziness is about avoiding them. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if we’re actually resting or simply indulging in a little laziness, so it’s going to take some wisdom and insight from the Holy Spirit to teach you what true rest really looks like for you.
   

4. Grasping the reality of rest. As I pointed out earlier, true rest reorients, refreshes and restores us. But so often, I’ll say that I’m resting when I’m endlessly scrolling on my phone—which to be honest is anything but restful. Like me, real rest might involve a little disconnection—from social media, from a TV that’s always on or from your work email or Slack. Sometimes, to get the rest our body, mind and soul needs, we need to take a break and turn off all the things that distract us and keep us from truly quieting our hearts and minds. If what we’re calling rest only leaves us feeling more tired, sluggish and beaten down, then it probably wasn’t rest. Rest for me might be an afternoon reading a favorite book on my patio or a long walk with my dog, but for others, it could be participating in a sport or group activity that you love, gardening or baking.
   

5. Learn to say no. Say it with me: Saying yes to something means saying no to a million other things. If something is a priority in your life (you’ve said yes to it), then in order to accomplish or fulfill that priority, you have to say no to the things that distract you from it. It’s a lesson I’ve been learning for a long time, but obviously I still need constant reminders. What are your priorities in this season? What do you need to focus on or give your energy to right now (it doesn’t have to be a lifetime priority)? Once you have those priorities clearly outlined, think about this: What do I need to say no to so I can truly focus on those things? Saying no probably won’t be easy, and you may have to miss some fun things to guard what’s most important. But your schedule will be filled with the activities, people and places that are most important to you—and as a result, you’ll feel more focused, refreshed and at peace.
   

How do you cultivate rest in your life? Share your ideas and comments!