How are you doing? No really, how are you? We know these times are a bit crazy, and many of us find ourselves feeling stressed, overwhelmed, run down, and anxious about the days ahead. We live in a world of fatigue, and we constantly have a nonstop world at our fingertips. But we were not created for this around-the-clock world. In fact, God gave us a Sabbath to help us find balance and peace.
“Be careful to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy as the LORD your God has commanded you. You are to labor six days and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God” (Deut. 5:12-14a, CSB).
On earth, Jesus made time for rest. He saw this time as a gift from God: “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, CSB). But when the world feels like it’s falling apart, and you’re being pulled in a million directions, how are you supposed to actually find rest and renewal?
There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for rest. Since our team here at Lifeway Women is made up of a group of diverse women just like all of you, we’re sharing how we find rest and renewal.
Here are our top six ways to find rest:
1. Do something you enjoy. For some of us, that’s reading a book. For others, it’s crafting or working on a fun project. Perhaps it’s baking bread or having a game night with friends or family. We all have unique interests, but we’ve found one of the best ways to find rest is to make time for your favorite hobby.
2. Enjoy some time in nature. Whether it is hiking a couple miles to see a waterfall, walking around the neighborhood, birdwatching, or lying on a blanket in your back lawn, it can be rejuvenating to spend time in God’s creation, taking in the sights and sounds of nature.
3. Take some time for yourself. Perhaps you’re surrounded by kids who are constantly looking for a snack, or maybe you live alone. It’s important to take some time to take care of yourself. (We promise—you’re not being selfish!) So take a bubble bath, give yourself a manicure, try out a new face mask, or just take a nap.
4. Make time for others. It’s possible to be with people and never really spend time with them, so be intentional about your relationships. Make dinner for your family, put the devices down, and have an intentional conversation. (Need some conversation starters? Try using the HomeLife Family Time Calendar.) Brew a cup of tea or coffee and call up a close friend or relative and spend time chatting and praying together.
5. Get up and get moving. It may sound counterintuitive, but some of us rest best after getting a little physical exercise. Go for a jog through the park, join a livestream fitness class, or play tag with your kids. Find an activity you enjoy and make time for it.
6. Set clear boundaries. No matter where you are and what your life looks like right now, it’s important to cut out time in your regular schedule for rest. Set clear boundaries between your work and your personal life, set limits on social media consumption, and turn off the news. Those things will still be there when you come back. Set a time to step away from the around-the-clock world and instead worship, read Scripture, and refocus on Christ.
Finally, it is so important to look to Scripture for peace and rest during stressful and anxious seasons of our lives.
Here are some of the verses that are encouraging us right now. Plus, we’re giving you some free printables/e-cards so you can share Scripture with your friends!
- Genesis 2:2-3
- Psalm 94:19
- Isaiah 26:3
- Isaiah 40:28-31
- Jeremiah 29:13-14
- Jeremiah 32:17
- Matthew 6:25-34
- Matthew 11:28-30
- Mark 2:27
- Romans 15:13
- Philippians 4:6
- 1 Peter 5:7
To download these Bible verse cards, click on any of the images below for a printable PDF or click “Save Image” to save the photo and email or text it to a friend.
