>So it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been here. I’ve been feeling under the weather for about a month now and yesterday, life finally came to a screeching halt. My body finally shut down and all I could do was sleep. I can usually fight through sickness, with medication and rest. Apparently, I wasn’t getting as much rest as I should.
It reminds me of the Creation story in Genesis 1. After 6 days creating the universe, God rested. He exercised “shabath”. It is pronounced “SHA-baht” and means, “to cease or to rest.” The amazing thing is God didn’t need to rest. He is self-sufficient. The Scriptures describe Him as one “who does not sleep” (Psalm 121). So, in Genesis, God did not create for 6 days and then sleep. He created for 6 days and then ceased from His work. He did not rest because He was tired.
Maybe we should take a lesson. We all need moments of rest in our lives. We need moments where we’re not focused on work, life, marriage, kids, money, etc. We MUST have moments of rest – ceasing from work. Most of us only rest when our bodies finally shut down, i.e. me. We have to get better at allowing ourselves to rest in the midst of a busy schedule, not just when the busy schedule is over. Here are few points to ponder
1.) Everybody needs rest – God did it as an example for us.
2.) Don’t let your schedule dictate your life. This is one of Steven Covey’s 7 Habits – Put First Things First.
3.) Listen to your body – there are tell-tale signs of fatigue. When your body can’t fight off everyday things like a nagging cough or sinus infection, probably a sign you’re not getting enough rest.
4.) Ask your peers – Ask friends to assess your lifestyle. An outside perspective is always a more fresh one.
5.) See a doctor – if necessary, see your primary care physician. Get a physical and see what factors are present. Make sure to let the doc know you’re battling symptoms of fatigue.
“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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