The Value of Rest

“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.^‘ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.” 1 Kings 19:5-6 (ESV)

When Elijah reached the lowest point of his life and prayed that he might die, God provided Elijah with physical nourishment and rest. You will spend one-third of your life sleeping. For your body to operate at maximum capacity, rest is a nonnegotiable. So how’s your sleep? Do you feel rested when you awake each morning? Sleep deprivation will negatively affect your mood, your energy, and your stress level.

To help ease your mind at night, have a notepad and pen close to your bed so you can jot down the items that are bothering you. No need to count sheep, just talk to the Shepherd! Pray through whatever you are worrying about and anything that God brings to your mind. When your mind is at peace, your rest will be sweet.

Your pillow, mattress, sheets, and comforter do impact how well you sleep. If your room is too bright, you may want to think of ways to make your room darker. Another tip is to locate your alarm clock away from your face and place it across the room. If total silence helps you sleep better, then eliminate noise. If soft music helps you relax and fall asleep, then turn on the music.

God wants you to take care of your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, do whatever it takes to ensure a good night’s rest. When you are well rested, you will feel the difference and you will have more energy to live for God’s glory.

Following Jesus Every Day,

Stephen Trammell