“And God blessed the Seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating He had done.” (Genesis 2:3)
Recently I read about a research study addressing the amount of oxygen a workman needs each day. On average, a person breathes 30 ounces of oxygen a day, but uses 31. By the end of the day he has a 1 ounce deficit.
While sleeping, he breathes more oxygen than needed to sleep, so he awakens with 5/6ths of the lost ounce, not completely refreshed. At the end of the week, he again has a 1 ounce deficit. He needs a days rest to restore the oxygen. Over time, without regular rest cell death occurs. Enough cell death and the person dies. But as long as he rests every seventh day, he will be restored.
Isn’t God wonderful? Look what He knew about resting that we didn’t!
Most healthy people think that we who are chronically ill/in pain are always resting. What they don’t realize is that it takes a tremendous amount of energy to fight pain and illness. Every minute of every day.
So how do we, as chronically ill, truly rest? We each have learned ways as we’ve adapted to this different life. Reading, meditating, listening to music are a few. It is important to find ways that help us rest, and it can sometimes be difficult. My body is in constant overdrive, so I find I have to “work” to try to physically relax.
However, resting in God is the best choice we can make; in fact, it is key. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” The New Living Translation, verse 29 says “. . . Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle and you will find rest for your souls.“ Pray, asking Him to show you, to teach you, how to rest in Him. He created each of us uniquely; He knows how to show you to rest.
God wants us to rest. Our pain may or may not lessen, but rest is essential. Our soul can find true rest in Him. Physically resting and learning to rest in God honors Him and benefits us.
Prayer: Lord, teach me how to rest in You, so that I can find true peace and refreshment. When I am tempted to do too much to find that rest that the rest of the world seems to seek, remind me that only You will provide the rest that I need.
About the Author:
Priscilla Ervin lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband of 34 years. She also lives with chronic Epstein-Barr, Fibromyalgia and GI problems. Her favorite activity (though not always restful!) is spending time with her 3 year old granddaughter.
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When you are exhausted from coping with your illness and pain, how do you find rest? Help us with some practical tips!
Priscilla, thank you for this encouragement on resting. The Lord is speaking to me through His word, devotions and now through your devotion. I have to confess that I fight resting,. even when I am seeking rest, my mind doesn’t rest easily. Yes, resting with a body fighting the onslaught of pain is really difficult. I have been in a flare-up of Fibromyalgia for over a week now, and my body feels like after riding on an extremely jerky, bumpy, roller coaster; inside of this, I feel like my whole body is trembling inside and is still getting attacked. Today resting will be visiting with a friend in my home. Last week, I couldn’t physically visit, but today this I know will help me relax and just enjoy. Thank you agan for this devotion, Cindy
Thanks for your devotion on rest, it certainly makes a person realize the importance of our rest in the Lord! I too have fibromyalgia along with chronic fatique and know you can not lie or sit around too long and you cannot be active too long at a time either; there are also those times of the therapeutic exercise, so there is a fine line. However, we know God is our great physician and can give us that time of rest and peace if we only seek Him. He can also guide us to when we should get that physical rest. Thanks again.
Priscilla, I know this is off topic, but my husband and I attended “Baptist Bible Seminary” in Arlington, TX. We have great memories of the school, Saturday’s at “Randoll Mill Park” (touch football ), Sunday’s after church we went to a restaurant called “Lavender’s Cafeteria.” Our daughter, now 42, children and grandchildren of her own, was born at the Arlington Hospital, (delivered by a Dr. Richards, I’m sure no longer there). We lived on Division Street at the time in an apartment. My question is for my own curiousity only; Would you happen to know if the seminary, park, hospital, or even maybe Lavender’s Cafeteria are still there? I’m sure as many places Arlington has grown a lot since we lived there and some places replaced with others. If you don’t mind you can email me at roxiebear47@yahoo.com. I promise I won’t be a pest to you at all, and it is OK if you prefer not to respond. Thanks again for your devotion of the day about rest. Roxanna
This is a lesson that I think I have to learn over and over again! I have had Fibromyalgia for 18 years, I have Sjogren’s, Neuropathy, MS, IBS, and so on and so on. I think one thing that makes me stay busy and “stirred up inside” is that I “run away from the pain.” When I am in intense pain I go through a stage where I just cannot be still. It almost takes work to get myself to calm down, or as I put it…find my gentle. The problem is that I have had so many times of pain since the New Year, that I am seemingly always in some stage of this circle. The Progressive M S is progressing.
Sandra Platt
I am a devotional writer too, by the way.
I have been going through an extended period of fatigue and general body discomfort for most of this summer. I recently found out I have rheumatoid arthritis in addition to chronic kidney disease and fibromyalgia and a rare genetic disorder called trimethylaminuria. The basis for all three is inflammation so when one or several of them flare up, I just simply don’t feel well and have pain. I know the stress of dealing with all of this can affect my perceptions and thinking so pain isn’t just a physicall thing but a mental one too
Yesterday, I cared for my two and a half year old granddaughter. Not feeling well, I hesitated to say I would watch her. I made sure the night before I went to bed early, even if I didn’t fall asleep right away, at least I was resting. I made sure I ate a substantial breakfast that was in my carbohydrate limit as I am diabetic. My appetite hasn’t been the best so I knew this was important. I explained to my granddaughter that I wasn’t feeling the best and she needed to listen to grandma. She seemed to understand as she did listen to me throughout the day.
The day went well and I think my preparations for the day helped a lot. We were both tired at the end of the day, but it was well worth it.
Priscilla, thank you for writing some of your thoughts about this most important subject. For the last few weeks (or more), I’ve been getting up earlier (on purpose) but can’t seem to get to bed any earlier than before. We’ve had family visiting and I’m still trying to get chores caught up from that wonderful time and to also recover. And so getting rest, relaxation and rest in Jesus has been a big challenge.
One thing I find refreshing in every way is to sit on the deck in the nice weather, think about the Creator’s amazing work, read and pray, and sometimes just close my eyes and enjoy the warm sun and gentle breeze.
One thing my daughter-in-law, two grandkids and I did while they were here was meet another Mom and Grandmother and their little girl in a small highway rest area near us. I soaked up the beauty of the day and location. I also enjoyed watching my kiddos roast wieners and marshmallows over a fire for their first time.
By the way, aren’t young granddaughters absolutely wonderful?!
Hi Cindy, thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the devotional. I hope you and your friend had a nice, restful visit!
Priscilla
Sandra, “find your gentle” I love it! You sure have a lot of your plate. I agree, it is really hard to stay physically still when the pain is at its peak. I recognize your name and enjoy your devotionals too.
Priscilla
Margaret, you are so right about pain causing the stress that causes brain confusion and fog. This is a good insight that my family is coming to terms with. I’m glad you and your granddaughter had a nice time together!
Priscilla
Hi Beth, I’m glad you enjoyed the devotional. When I was thinking of writing it, I kept seeing articles and other writings that mentioned rest, so I knew I had to get to the computer and get it done! I love to sit outside too, but in Texas, for me at least, that time is winter and very early spring!
Yes, granddaughters are the best! She is our only grandchild; I wonder if we spoil her, haha!
How serendipidous that you had that time with the other famiy at the rest stop.
Priscilla: Thank you for your response to my previous comment. I knew I had to take a break today and spent some time this afternoon on the deck. It was hot in the sun, but I found a shady spot, sipped on a cold glad of water with some fresh lime juice and did some reading.
I read some wonderful material in a book by Jane Rubietta called, “Quiet Places”. In the first chapter, she quotes Richard A Swenson from his book, “Margin”. He says, “We must have some room to breathe. We need freedom to think and permission to heal. Our relationships are being starved to death by velocity. No one has the time to listen, let alone love. Our children lie wounded on the ground, run over by our high-speed good intentions. Is God now pro-exhaustion? Doesn’t He lead people beside the still waters anymore?” I say, “Amen!”