Day Of Rest – Allow Yourself To Be Refreshed

ORIGINALLY Published on: Mar 20, 2010

It has been a while since you have heard from me. I have found myself absolutely swamped under the pressures and busyness of life….

Well, I have finally gotten myself out from under all of this and so here I am again. Still passionate about Making A Difference in Our World.

Struggled After Losing My Job

Over the past few months, I have struggled after losing my job in December, due to the economic recession. My employer was no longer able to pay to keep me on and so let me go at Christmas 2009. This was not easy for us.

I since have been applying for jobs, but with no success.

So at the same time, I have invested literally hours each day on learning Internet Marketing. This has been a slow process for me, but I am still hopeful that we will be able to make a living from it.

Financial Pressure Can Be Exhausting

Due to the financial pressure we have been (and still are) under, I have worked on the Internet Marketing seven days a week and have found myself exhausted.

Then over the past couple of weeks, as I have spent Quiet times with the Lord, I have felt Him prompting me to rest. The Lord spoke to me of the importance of taking time out each week to allow myself (body, emotions, soul and spirit) to be refreshed and to rest.

God Wants To Refresh Us

I was listening to Joseph Prince the other day on the Internet and he commented how Jesus performed most of His miracles on the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew). He put the question out there asking whether this was because people had rested and were refreshed that the Lord was more able to reach into their lives and bless them, as He desired to do!

This got me thinking. I was waking up each day, tired and not really looking forward to the day, as I knew all of the work that lay ahead of me. I also was worried about our finances.

So I have made a decision to set aside one day to rest and refresh myself. Since I lived 10 years of my life in Israel, I am setting aside Shabbat (Saturday) as the day when I focus on other things and not on making money or paying bills.

Shabbat – An Amazing Gift From God

I just want to say that in case you think I am being legalistic about resting that I see Shabbat as a wonderful and awesome gift from God to His children who He loves more than we know! He never gave us this day of rest to bind us! In fact, totally the opposite!

God gave us the gift of Shabbat to refresh us and to Empower us to live the lives He has planned for us, the rest of the week! By resting on one day, we are so much better enabled to handle whatever Opportunities and challenges that life throws our way!

Whatever day you choose to set aside, I encourage you to DO IT! Make a conscious decision to set aside one day every week where you give yourself time to focus on other things in your life.

Some Ideas To Rest And Be Refreshed

Here are some ideas for you on resting and getting refreshed:
 - Spending time with your family or friends.
 - Taking a walk with your spouse or partner.
 - Reading a book (remember that book that you have sitting next to your bed that you never have time to read….)
 - Having a swim.
 - Going on a family picnic.
 - Playing some games with your family and friends.
 - Soaking in a bubble bath…

I am sure you get the idea.

So I hope from today’s Blog post that you sense my heart. You are important and you do need to look after yourself before you can reach out and make a difference in others’ lives!

So today make a decision to set everything else aside (Believe me that it will still be there waiting for you later on. So focus on blessing yourself a little! It is okay and also necessary) and find a few things that you do (or not do…) to bless yourself!

Until next time, Remember to Enjoy Life, Smile at a Stranger and Make a Difference in the World! 

Your Friend in Life and in Blessing others, 

Leanne Annett :-)