What a time of year this is!—a time with family and friends.  Yes, but a very hectic and stressful time as well.    A recent survey by American Psychological Association (APA) found that 89% of U.S. adults report feeling stress during the holiday season. [i] to a survey by American Heart Association, 63% of adults said the holiday season is more stressful than tax season — for many, that’s saying a lot. [ii]   Sure, many then take “time out” after New Years to reevaluate their lives. But is this really a healthy or godly way to live?

There was a man who after a great victory against the established order was going to be killed. Not unusual in today’s world.  He had to flee for his life. He becomes overwhelmed, exhausted, and discouraged.  In spite of being a religious man He prays: ““It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life.” As we are sometimes, he was both physically and emotionally exhausted.  He when immediately to sleep. Miraculously, he was rescued and given food and water and went to sleep again. He was again wakened and given food and water. He then regained strength to last forty days and nights until he reached the mountain of God. There God came to him in a whisper and asked “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  It was an invitation to rediscover meaning, purpose, and divine direction. With this, Elijah regains purpose and direction. In this example we this pattern for renewal: rest, nutrition, silence and solitude, an encounter with God,  and a Renewed calling and strength.

Rest from work with emphasis on God is the biblical pattern.  Rest began with God Himself who rested after the six days of creation.  It was explicitly commanded with the institution of Sabbath for the Jewish people.  The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. God knows we need rest and restitution. The pattern of Jesus was intense ministry, solitude and prayer, and a return to ministry. The psalms delineate its importance with such scriptures as “Be still and know I am God”; “In quietness and trust is your strength”’ ; and the beginning of Psalms encourages meditation day and night.

Scriptures gives ample reason for rest. Rest enhances trust in God, enables one to surrender to God, is a method of enjoying fulfillment, allows one to anticipate peace and ultimate rest, allows one to know God is present, is major source of renewal, obeys God’s command to rest,  allows the enjoyment of the protection of God, makes one aware of one’s identity as the child of God, and finally allows one to worship God in awe and thanksgiving.

With all of these benefits, why don’t we take time for rest and renewal?  Well, you say, I will do this when I do my New Years’ Resolutions.  I am sorry but that is not enough.   We are entering the most stressful season of the year- even more that tax season. It might surprise you if you take sufficient time to rest and contemplate why your life is so busy.  Is you schedule overloaded and you have too many commitments? Are you purchasing choices causing too much pressure? Are you allowing family expectations to stress you out? Are you trying to create the “perfect Christmas? Are you traveling to “make everyone happy” which, in turn, exhausts you?  Are you engaged into to many social activities?  Is all of this causing emotional heaviness and draining your energy?  These choices both disrupt necessary normal routine for health and  reduces time for restoration.

Now comes the hard part. Biblical rest requires making choices. Biblical rest requires you to adhere to God’s plan for you life, not the world’s.  God’s rest requires you give up some things for the good life He wants you to have. So…. what do you think? Do you want the benefits of Godly rest or not?

[i] Deconstructing Stigma+2American Psychological Association+2According

[ii] American Heart Association