Why a Mindset of Rest is Essential to Your Wellbeing!

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Why a Mindset of Rest is Essential to Your Well-being?

Why is it essential to achieve a mindset of rest? Well, how are you feeling today? Are you feeling rested or renewed? Are your thoughts peaceful?

If we look around, the messages we see and hear are a bit chaotic. The world is in chaos, and for many of us, we’ve lost our sense of peace while our stress and anxiety have increased. There’s a lot of harmful noise coming at us. If we’re not practicing mental and physical rest, we may succumb to the nonstop messages of doom around us.

I find it odd that while we’ve been sheltered in place, very few individuals are actually taking time to rest. Why is that? Turn on the news or listen to Sirius, and you’ll discover why. The stories we hear do not reassure us of the peace and calm we so desperately need at this time. Life as we know it has been placed on hold – working from home, appointments postponed, trips delayed, family gatherings deferred, and the list goes on.

Do we ponder what tomorrow will bring? Do we need to change our plans for the fall months? When will there be a reprieve? These are questions that are swirling around our minds.

In the midst of it all, God calls us to rest in Him, to be restored in our minds.

Why is it important to God that we rest? God understands that rest is essential to our well-being – both mentally and physically.

Rest is sacred and holy

In Genesis 2:2-3 it says, “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (ESV).

God Himself set aside time to rest from His work, and He has created space for us to enter into that same rest with Him.

The goal from Creation to Revelation is for His people to rest in Him, not to be worn down by the heavy cares and toils of life in this habitually tumultuous world.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 ESV). This rest encompasses the whole being – body, mind, and soul. And this rest is what we all thirst for in life.

By incorporating a rhythm of rest into our lives, we embody what God has intended for all of His creation, allowing us to live our lives more fully. The rhythms of rest and restoration provide the refreshment and energy we need to do His work and exercise our talents.

What does this have to do with restoring our minds?

Rest for the mind

As we have focused on the importance of our thoughts, we will also examine the significance of rest for our mental well-being. So, I’m sharing some steps we can take to enhance our rest by restoring our minds to develop a mindset of rest.

Focus our minds on God. In Isaiah 26:3 it says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” By keeping our minds on Christ and trusting Him, we can experience peace of mind rather than being overwhelmed by the wearying troubles of this world.

Spend time each day, morning or evening, in the presence of God. Meditate on His Word and allow His words to reassure you of the rest He will bring to you as you seek Him.

Spend time with God. What better way to restore our minds than spending time with the One whose desire is for us to experience rest? By taking time away from the chaos and spending time studying the Word and listening to His voice, we can rest from the stress and fill our minds with the truth.

How? Schedule a restoration weekend. It can be a staycation, a day trip to the beach, or the mountains taking in the fresh air and beautiful scenery. Spend this time focusing on rest and restoring your mind. Allow God’s Word to reassure you of the rest He promises in Mark 6:31.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” Mark 6:31 NIV

Pray. Prayer is powerful. Prayer is vital to our lives. Making prayer a priority in your life allows you to release your burdens into God’s care, and this, my friends, will go a long way to bringing about rest for your mind. As Philippians 4:6-7 ESV says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Begin and end each day in prayer. Speak your prayers out loud, write your prayers in your journal, or sit quietly and lift your unspoken prayers to God. Creating a daily practice of prayer with God will bring much renewal and restoration to your soul.

Rest in Him

Rest in the knowledge that you are in the hands of a God who loves you and who desires for you to rest in Him. His way will always lead to peace and restoration.

I hope these words encourage you and underscore the importance of adopting a mindset of rest for your well-being. Let’s commit to incorporating a rhythm of rest into our lives through daily prayer and reflection on God’s Word. Rest in Him!

“Why is everyone hungry for more? ‘More, more,’ they say. ‘More, more.’ I have God’s more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, for you, God, have put my life back together.” Psalm 4:6-8 The Message

Keep on shining!