Pajama Day, A Time To Rest

“For we who have believed enter that rest….” Hebrews 4:3 ESV




     Have you ever been so tired, all you wanted to do was see a bed and just collapse into it? Exhaustion does several things to our minds and our bodies. When we are overly tired we make snap judgements that are many times regrettable later. We “snap” at the people we love the most because we are so tired we have become temperamental. Our patience, long suffering, and self-control the Bible says all Christians have goes straight out the window! We are just plain cranky!
     Our physical bodies begin to feel sluggish. Our brains literally fail to go into “higher level thinking”. Part of the cortex of the brain is effected and our speech begins to slur or significantly slows down due to that fact. Our brains cannot absorb information as they could when we are rested and at “full speed”. Our bodies immune system is compromised and cannot fight disease nor can it “heal itself”. Even the simplest of task become frustrating because the brain is not functioning as it should. That explains the crankiness!
     We need to “listen” to our bodies. You nor I can do it all! God never intended for us to. We need to know our physical limitations and learn to say no! If you are a “rescuer’ this is especially hard for you. You have the tendency to fix everything as much as you possibly can.
     Yesterday at church I prayed with a lady. I cannot tell you what she asked me to pray about because it is confidential. I prayed and spoke the word over the situation and then we began to praise God for coming on the scene of this thing and working it all out. When I got home from church my mind went back to this dear woman. She was so hurt and broken over this thing in her life. I began to think, “Now, what can I do to help her in this situation?” Suddenly I heard God say, “I thought you asked me to take care of it. If you start taking care of it in your own power she will get limited help, for you are limited in what you are able to do. If you let Me take care of it, she will have a testimony of My goodness and My ability to do the impossible because My resources are UNLIMITED!”
     How many times do we try to do God’s job? How many times do we try to take on the impossible and then wonder why we are exhausted?? We fail to listen to God and we fail to listen to our bodies and in the process and nothing is “fixed” adequately in the process! Instead we have made things worse because we have created worry and distress for ourselves. Now, where is God getting glory in that?
     There is a scripture in the Amplified Bible that says, “But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life….” Luke 21:34 The Lord showed me this scripture one time when my children were small. He told me “business” here was pronounced ”busyness”. Like other parents I wanted my children to have the best of everything! I put them in several sports activities, dance, gymnastics, etc. thinking I was “developing” their talents. Why, they may even get a scholarship that would pay for college because of some of this! Better yet, they may even turn PRO!! I didn’t know that only 3% of the population ever goes on to any PRO sport! When God spoke this to me He said, “You are too busy! Let the children pick one activity they want to remain in and stop the rest. I have much for you to do and you are so busy you cannot hear me trying to give you important instructions!” I was also teaching full time then in a public school. I knew He was right! I was amazed when my kids were relieved they didn’t have to be in so much anymore! They needed rest, too!
     As soon as I obeyed, the Lord began to teach me about the word in a way I had never learned before! Revelation of what it meant and how it applied to me in practicality for today came to me! Little did I know, but God was preparing me to teach at various churches and eventually in a local seminary! Obedience yields high returns, my friend!
     I still practice rest, even today. I have something called “pajama day” where I stay in my jammies and REST! How do I know when I need one? I listen to my body, the way I talk to others, and most of all to God! When I cast all my care on Him, He works all things to my good and I sit back in the rest of faith and enjoy what He can do, instead of stressing over what I cannot!
     Rest in Him today, my friend! Cast your care. Have a day of resting in faith (even if your jammies are only on in your mind), and watch God show out on your behalf!
     Thank you for taking your precious time to read my post! I appreciate you, dear reader!! Have a blessed and restful day, all day! See you soon!