The Power of Rest
"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." - Sydney J. Harris
I was drowning in the to-do lists, cramming everything capable into my days, living in a cycle of avoided exhaustion and I was left wondering why my immune system was at a low and my emotional health was at stake. It’s easy to avoid what our bodies are telling us when we live in a constant state of telling ourselves “Once I get this done, I will rest.” Truth is, this becomes a lie and an unmet expectation. We’ve seemed to lose sight of the meaning of true rest, and the spiritual and physical power it gives us. Sometimes the reason for this is that we simply fear being still. When we choose to be still that’s when the raging thoughts, trauma, and fears creep in. The God-given emotions come up and we fear them. Does this all sound familiar? Maybe you haven’t allowed yourself to get to this point yet. But trust me, I’ve been there.
I think one of the most holiest and humbling acts we can take is allowing ourselves to pause. Our culture promotes busyness and constant activity as drive and success when really we’re stripping ourselves away. In Exodus 20:8-10, God instructs us to "remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." The Hebrew meaning for rest is shabbāth. The Sabbath serves as a day of rest, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Reminding our souls that God is still on the throne and we are not.
Rest is seen as a transcriptional repressor, which means that it blocks the expression of neural genes. These genes influence the development and function of the brain and ultimately control how we move, think, feel, and behave. Individuals who lived between 90-100 years old were seen to have high protein levels in their brains. This protein is known as the “RE1-Silencing Transcription factor” ( REST ) REST represses genes that promote cell death and protects neurons from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can break down cell tissue and cause DNA damage. This damage can also result in inflammation and these factors can lead to lifelong diseases. REST is directly associated with a long human life span. This is due to REST’s ability to reduce neural excitement by blocking the expression of neural genes.
Incorporating rest into our daily lives is an act of self-care. It's a way of honoring the body, mind, and soul, that God has given us. Self-care is not selfish; it's essential for our overall well-being and our ability to care for others effectively. Psalm 23:2-3, says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my soul." I love how he uses the word Make. It’s as if He is urging us, that it is a necessity and essential to rest. These words remind us that rest is a divine gift that rejuvenates our innermost being, connecting us to our spiritual essence. When we are well-rested, we are better equipped to manage our emotions, handle stress, and maintain a positive outlook on life.