Rest – Tired No More

We are a tired people. You may be fighting sleep even as you read this. The reasons we are tired are varied; I have listed some here:

Lack of sleep

People are sleeping with their phones. It used to be just the tv, now the electronic world controls us day and night.

No down time

A day of rest is now a day of extreme activity.

Stress like never before

Kids are dealing with big issues like climate change, world hunger, and family break ups. Adults are increasingly struggling with just trying to pay the bills and make ends meet, all the while often working two jobs, dealing with divorce, job insecurity and election news.

Depression

One of the symptoms of depression is feeling tired; having no energy and just wanting to sleep. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

While rates for depression and other common mental health conditions vary considerably, the US is the “most depressed” country in the world, followed closely by Colombia, Ukraine, the Netherlands and France. At the other end of the scale are Japan, Nigeria and China.

Joy and happiness are not the same; the problem is that we often equate it as such. Happiness is dependent upon circumstances. Interestingly, the most depressed nations of the world, (except maybe for Columbia) are those nations that have the greatest access to means of making one happy. We have access to entertainment, recreational opportunities, and prosperity all geared to bring happiness; still, joy is eluding us, resulting in an epidemic of depression.

Lack of meaningful worship

I put worship last, not because it is not important, but because often due to the above, this is the thing we cut out first. Worship will bring energy to our soul, life to our bodies, and joy in our spirit. When we worship, our spirit is strengthened by connecting with the Holy Spirit. Energy of God pours into us. We forfeit the fuel of life, by opting out of meaningful worship in and with the congregation of the saints.

So here are my ideas to energize your life and give tiredness the boot:

• Develop a healthy daily rhythm. Have a consistent bedtime regimen that provides at least 7-8 hours sleep per night. And turn the phone off.
• Take at least one day of the week that is your “me time” which is not filled with “to do list”, deadlines, and work-related activity.
• Analyze why you are stressed, get some help if you have to, and begin to eliminate stressors one by one.
• Don’t ignore the depression, but begin to purposely avoid the adrenaline of happiness and opt instead to finding inner joy in life, friends and God.
• Which brings me to the last point. Despite what your body is telling you, regardless of your emotional state, make God first in your life. Read the word every day, pray and be a regular attender of a meaningful worship service in a church you can call family.

This Sunday, I will be starting a Rest series. I will be sharing practical steps to a more healthy lifestyle which will result in a more energetic life and less tiredness in the soul.

Jim Reimer, Pastor

September 19, 2019