There were a handful of years I would get up at 3:30 in the morning, start my work, get ready, head to the office and run seven-to-10 very focused, back-to-back meetings every, single day. To take a deep breath, I would have to step into the bathroom. Even then, someone might knock on the door with a question or for a signature.
I smiled and did my work, happy to have work, but my nervous system and adrenal glands were completely taxed. I wondered how many years I was shaving off of my life, not out of dramatic thinking but from actually alarming symptoms.
Some of you have been running the same type of back-to-back, intense, highly-pressured schedules for years too. Though smiling, you cannot fool your body. It knows you are taking advantage of it, and it needs rest to heal.
There came a time when my body, my nervous system, and my soul, demanded that rest from me, and it was imperative I took it. I didn’t want to become dependent on medications, simply to feed my schedule. So I didn’t. I had to take a step back for myself and my family, and to hear the voice of God speaking.
I know everyone wants to get back to work and get back to the grind. That is motivated by a desire to connect but also to provide and to have a platform to exercise your giftings.
For some of you, you are freaking out until you do – either because you are beginning to feel desperate or because your identity is so deeply connected to what you do, and you feel your time – something you greatly value – is being rendered useless. You may be feeling worthless, pulled from the game.
For those of you, especially, I would like to assert that this time is not a waste, nor is it futile for you. This is time that your body needs to regenerate and to heal. Healing is a highly valuable use of your time and something you need, if you don’t want to be pulled from the game of life prematurely.
I had to learn, though I often enjoyed what I was doing – perhaps just telling myself that, at times, to push through – you cannot fool your body. Adrenal glands are real. Hormones and chemicals are real. Cortisol is real. And, they can get out of whack, disorienting your entire system, when you run for years without a break. This takes a literal toll on your body and your actual life.
The point of this message is to communicate with the achievers, the business owners, those of you with double-A personalities, who are anxious because you feel trapped or that time is being wasted: This time does not have to be wasted. This time can be a gift used for one of the most valuable investments you could ever make: an investment in your physical healing, through rest, to rejuvenate and restore your body, which impacts your quality of life and your life span.
This time is not a waste. Turn your brain off for awhile. Though it feels oxymoronic, turning your brain off and letting your body turn down, is actually one of the most valuable uses of your time. When that brain of yours does just want to think, consider what tools or exercises you can carry into your daily life and routine after this – once the work starts up at it’s usual pace – to respect your body and to maintain your healing.
I’ve said it before: “Success” nearly took me out. The good news is, when God helped press pause for me, making Himself abundantly known, the healing and rejuvenation I needed took place. Yet, you have to start by acknowledging the physical exhaustion you are experiencing and ask God to show you a new way to take care of your temple.
For some of you, you could not press pause on your own. It took an act of God for you to step back to rest and to heal. The good thing is, you have that opportunity now. And, your body will thank you for it. I think of two particular Bible verses, at this time, that serve as a reminder and an encouragement:
- How we treat our bodies matters to God:
“Do you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” (1 Corinthians 6:19). - If you find yourself weak, as I did, this is a wonderful verse to say out loud and to meditate on:
“Praise the Lord, o my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles” (Psalm 103:5).
I truly felt 35 years older than I was; but, through rest, and becoming more aware of my limitations and aware of my value past producing, I de-aged. And, you can too! Now is your opportunity to do so.
Though your natural fall back in “down” times might be worry, please consider this when you go there: Thinking you can solve all of the issues at hand is your ego. I encourage you to find peace in knowing that you can’t solve every problem at hand, but God does not slumber or sleep. He is still God. He is still on His throne. He knows what you need, and He is working on your behalf right now.
Just rest.
Sarah Guldalian 