Learning to Trust in Christ Enough to Rest

I’d like to share a quick note with you before you read: I don’t want this article to bind the consciences of anyone reading it–to make anyone feel like they ought to do something that they don’t actually need to do. I wrote this article specifically for the women who, like me, struggle to take care of themselves in a way that honors God. I am firmly convicted that rest is vital for the nourishment and upkeep of my all-around health. It’s okay if you don’t share that same conviction, but if you do (or if you want to know more about how God is changing my heart), read on!

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A few years ago I read the book Refresh by Shona and David Murray. Refresh covers quite a few topics, including who we are as created beings, who we are in Christ, and both biblical and practical ways to help ease depression and anxiety. Shona and David Murray also cover how to care for yourself in a way that honors God. I found this book incredibly helpful and encouraging during all of my struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety and would highly recommend it to anyone!

I started feeling anxious again before our move and decided to read the book again to remind myself how to take care of myself during this busy time. Shona encourages women to do a few important things as part of a normal self-care routine: eat a healthy diet, exercise, get adequate sleep, and find time to rest during the day. I agree that all of these things are important and probably necessary to recover from depression and anxiety. It’s easy for me to set aside time for healthy eating, exercise, and sleep, but I have a difficult time convincing myself to rest during the day despite the fact that I know how much it will help.

Why?

I don’t immediately feel the positive effects of resting during the day. I usually feel groggy when I get up after resting. Sometimes I fall asleep for just a few minutes, only to wake up to a sweet little voice hoarsely whispering that the resting time timer beeped. Other days my allergies make my nose all stuffy so I have to breathe out of my mouth, which makes me thirsty, of course. Then I need to go find a glass of water. Resting time is almost over by the time I feel cozy and comfortable again.

I also like to convince myself that reading, writing, playing the ukulele, or scrolling through articles online is the same as resting. I know better! Reading news articles does not make my brain feel at ease. Writing might help me relax, but involves a large amount of thinking, typing, erasing, thinking, and then typing again. Reading and playing the ukulele come the closest to actual rest for me. I do agree with Shona, though–relaxing and resting qualify as two different activities. I feel relaxed when I read or practice the ukulele, but neither activity helps my brain recharge for the rest of the day. I need true rest: laying down, closing my eyes, breathing deep, and maybe catching a short nap.

Finally, I can usually persuade myself that I don’t need rest and have too much to do anyways. This is the most problematic of all the reasons because it shows how important I think I am. God delights in working through his people, but he doesn’t need us. He can accomplish all of his good and perfect will without our help. He shows his loving condescension and faithful care for us by using our small efforts to further his gloriously expanding kingdom. We glorify him when we remember we are only creatures, with all the limitations that accompany that status. We are simultaneously special above all other creatures (we bear God’s image), but still creatures (God made us from the dust of the earth). We live within these bounds and we cannot escape them. When God created the world, he declared these boundaries good.

God neither slumbers nor sleeps. [1] He keeps a watchful eye on all his children as they slumber and sleep and rest. We need rest or we will fall apart at every level–spiritually, mentally, and physically. We cannot run on empty for long. God designed our bodies to need rest just as he designed our bodies to need food. We are free in Christ to enjoy both of these things without guilt. Sometimes I catch myself wondering, “If I lay down to rest, who will fold the laundry? Who will take out the garbage? Who will load the dishwasher?” We simply cannot accomplish everything on our own, and that’s such a marvelous thing. The cares of the world do not rest on our puny shoulders. They rest on the shoulders of someone infinitely more capable than us. We bring glory to God when we rely on him instead of ourselves; when we trust him enough to lay aside our work and take care of ourselves the way he designed us to.

The Bible shows us instances of God and Jesus taking the time to rest. God created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh day. [2] He sets up the pattern for his people to follow at the very beginning of creation of six days of work followed by one day of joyful rest. God “blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Genesis 2:3). Our day of rest is not a burden, but a blessing and a celebration of God’s sovereignty.

Ruthie’s favorite bedtime story is the story of Jesus calming the storm. What amazes me the most about this story is that Jesus falls asleep and stays asleep even as the wind sweeps across the lake and the waves threaten to sink the boat. The disciples frantically wake up Jesus and explain their perilous situation. Luke 8:24b-25a says, “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?'” I can imagine Jesus asking me those same words when I refuse to give my body the rest it needs: Hannah, where is your faith?

Do I trust Christ, my loving and powerful Savior, enough to rest? I pray that I do more and more–and I pray that you do, too!

Photos: David Lezcano, Sven Brandsma on Unsplash

[1] Psalm 121:4
[2] Genesis 2:1-3