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REST AND RELAXATION |
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| DID YOU KNOW? At the time of the French Revolution they decided to carry out an experiment and make a ten day week? They felt it would be more productive and more would be achieved. But the end result was total failure. People were breaking down with exhaustion and not just people, but the horses too. They had to return to a seven day week with the usual rest time in the week. A similar experiment was tried in England during World War 2 when more aircraft were needed. |
| With the pressure on, they tried a seven day working week for greater productivity, but it failed very quickly. There were more mistakes and there were fewer good planes than when they worked only six days. |
There is a reason for this. It was not just tiredness. We have biorhythms which have a weekly cycle, and animals have been found to have the same cycles too. Even the small creatures of the sea have a 7 day cycle and so does the healing process. We are made to operate within a rhythm of activity, followed by a rest period. |
- After a day’s work we need a night’s rest.
- After a six day week of work we need the seventh day to recharge our batteries.
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| We all have the same 'body clocks'. They can be nudged a few hours either way to fit but we operate best when we obey the rhythms inside us. |
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REST The dictionary gives many aspects of this word - stopping from mental and physical exertion, sleep, freedom from care, being still, an interval of tranquillity. We know what it means to be 'restLESS' - agitated, unable to sleep, never still, fidgety, unsettled, or uneasy. By contrast even the process of thinking about the word 'tranquillity' can bring pictures of peace and stillness into our minds.
There is another aspect too. Those who play billiards will know of the rest that is provided to support the cue. In the same way, to have full |
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refreshing, we need to feel that we are supported and cared for. We do not have to fight for our rights or the rights of our family, like tigers protecting their young. This only drains and damages us day by day.
There is a better way—God says - |
- Casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.’ There is a supernatural support for us. We only have to ask. The situation may not change, but our strength will be increased to cope with it or find a way out. The Bible tells us that nothing is allowed to come to us that is greater than we can bear.
- ‘God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able’.
- He ‘will with the temptation also make a way to escape.’ 1 Corinthians 10:13. When we think we are at the end of our resources there is help and rest.
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- ‘A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.’ Isaiah 42:3. Many of us feel like this with the damage of life and living. We feel about to give up from weariness.
- ‘The Lord is on my side.’ Psalm 118:6.
- ‘Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ‘ Hebrews 4:16.
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Did you notice the Bible says that God is faithful. If we ask He will do it. Try Him and see.
This is a rest we can sink into deeply. While we sleep, God is awake - weighing and measuring what He will allow to come to us. He knows our strength and our capability, and He adds his power to get us through. |
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