Rest For The Weary

Something I am not good at for sure is getting enough rest.  Sometimes it's a stupid waste of energy, like watching TV late, hanging out late.  Sometimes its studying, sometimes its not time managing so I can't rest because everything has to get done... But usually God comes in and forces rest upon when I forget to rest.

This topic was inspired talking to a friend tonight, someone much like me who would rather die than admit they can't handle something.  Not that my friend can't-- they are very capable and smart and can handle heavy study work loads mixed in with the other crap.  But, one thing I know I certainly forget is that what you can handle is not a measure of how strong you are, and what you have to take a break from is not a measure of how weak you are.

I feel guilty resting sometimes.  Sometimes, I just don't want to give up the fight, I don't like how it looks to other people.  Failing a class, backing out of events, planning meetings, ect ect, so on and so on.  How is it responsible to say "no I can't handle it" or "no, I have too much going on?"  What about me time?  Me and God time? 

Usually what happens when I get to caught up in overworking myself I hit a breaking point and come crawling to God begging Him to free me.  And the guilt sets in there too, because geez I've been so non-stop I haven't prayed in days.  What really gets me-- is when I don't even have that much going on and I'm falling apart.  How unacceptable of me, some people have real problems and I can't juggle a few classes and CIA events?

Oh what a messed up way of thinking.  Yet I do that often.  Sometimes, I have to realize it is okay to say no.  It's okay to leave it.  It's okay to seek God, to seek meaning, and to take a break from the world and all the worldly things.  The world will be there tomorrow.  In a week, in 6 months, in a year, it'll still be there. 

And you know what?  I'm not a failure because I needed to take a break. You reader, are not a failure, are not inadequate, are no too immature or responsible enough, because you need a time out.  However long that time out is.  I am not the best example of believeing this all the time.  But I know it is true.

Whose standards do you live up to?  God's.  And he hasn't rejected you because you couldn't handle it.  He hasn't rejected you because you needed Him.  He loves me!  He loves you!  And rest is OKAY.  A break is OKAY. You only fail when you give up.  Resting is not equal to giving up.  Finding something new does not equal giving up.

Someone, remind me to read my own words the next time I am stuck in no-rest-for-the-weary, I-can't handle-school-stress-or-my-life mode.  By that point, rest is long overdue.

This is me sharing what I have learned, in hopes to remind myself of it, and in hopes of sharing my struggles to anyone who may think they are alone. 

Matthew 11:28-- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Jeremiah 31:25--  "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."