Life can be stressful, and while some stress is within our control, other stressors are simply part of life. While we can take steps to reduce our stress levels, escaping it altogether is impossible. Therefore, learning to manage stress effectively is crucial.
One powerful way to do this is by developing the discipline of rest, allowing it to act as a regularly scheduled “detox” from stress.
Rest is not a form of laziness. Laziness is never striving to reach your potential; rest is recognizing that taking a break is essential to achieving and maintaining our potential. Overworking to the point of sacrificing your health and family does not make a man a hero. While our culture often glorifies constant busyness, as Christian men, we are called to live differently.
Overworking to the point of sacrificing your health and family does not make a man a hero.
Here are three reasons why it is crucial for a man to incorporate rest into his weekly routine:
1. God Commanded It
The Sabbath is defined as “a day of rest” or “to cease to do.” Genesis 2:2-3 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Leviticus 23:3 says, ‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.”
In Exodus 20:1-17, the Ten Commandments include the command to rest (v.8-11). Alongside directives not to kill, steal, or lust, we are also commanded to rest. If it’s on this list, it’s as crucial as the other commandments!
God’s commands are for our benefit and protection, not to burden us. Yet, as adults, we often resist being told what to do, thinking, “I’m an adult; I can do what I want.” However, the day of rest reminds us that life is more than work and busyness. God commands us to rest not for His benefit but for ours (Mark 2:27).
The idea here is to carve out a 24-hour block of time each week. Some people can’t take Sundays off, but the principle remains: We need to have a day of rest. What day you take is up to you and what works best for you and your family.
2. Rest Brings Balance
Stress can take a significant toll on our health, memory, and performance. Managing it is crucial for our family’s well-being. In How to Be a Hero to Your Kids, Josh McDowell states that kids spell LOVE as T-I-M-E. John Maxwell defines success as when those closest to you respect you the most.
Life will go on without you, so consider what’s truly important to you as a man. Is one more meeting, business deal, or last-minute project worth sacrificing your health, family, and spiritual connection with God? Taking time to rest allows you to invest in your family and your spiritual relationship with the Lord.
Rest also allows you to put things into perspective. When you rest, your mind can make better sense of what is going on, allowing you to make better decisions. Philippians 4:6-8 tells us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Then, it gives us a list of things to think on and fill our minds with: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
When stressed, we feel out of control and worn out, and it becomes hard to think the way the Apostle Paul describes above. Regular rest helps restore us to this balance.
3. Sabbath Recharges and Refreshes
We all have activities that recharge us emotionally, spiritually, physically, and relationally. Dedicate your day off to these activities. For me, it’s coffee and a book, time with my wife and kids, being outdoors, and camping. Your list will be different, so take time to identify what recharges you, and then take your Sabbath to go do it!
Your day of rest should also include spiritual refreshment. In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a day of sacred assembly. Since the Holy Spirit lives within us, any moment can be a sacred assembly.
Imagine the Benefits
What if you lived in balance, felt more refreshed, were more productive at work, your family felt more connected, and overall, you enjoyed life more? This isn’t a dream list; it can be your reality starting this week.
Taking Action
Here’s how you can act on this, starting now:
- Schedule a 24-hour block of time for rest every week
- On that day, sleep in or go to bed early
- Turn off your cell phone and social media
- Refrain from regular work
- Connect with the Lord in a meaningful way
- Include your family and friends in your plans
- List activities that recharge you and enjoy them
By embracing God’s plan for rest, you can transform your life and bring balance, health, and joy to yourself and those around you.
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