I talk to a lot of people both online and face-to-face. Many of them say they’re tired but don’t know why. They wake up in the morning already feeling tired. And throughout the day, they feel so exhausted.
My dear friend, here’s an important message that will save your life.
There are three kinds of rest. You need all three to get rid of the fatigue you feel every day.
1. Physical Rest
Before COVID-19 came, our lack of physical rest was the real pandemic.
People are not getting enough sleep.
We love Netflix shows, but they rob us of our sleep. I’m not telling you to get rid of Netflix. But you do need to be disciplined when it comes to the time you’re supposed to sleep.
Use an alarm clock-not in the morning but at night. Let it remind you when you I should turn it in. And the moment it alarms, shut down your laptop, turn off the TV or your phone, and hit the sack.
You might say, “Sayang ‘yung suspense. Matatapos na.” (Too bad! I won’t be able to finish the suspense). No, you turn it off even if there’s a cliffhanger. Say, “I will look forward to that tomorrow, and I will sleep now.”
Many people think they only need five hours of sleep. No, you don’t.
A recent study found that ninety-seven percent of the population needs seven to nine hours of sleep.
You need to listen to your body. Do you need seven hours of sleep? Do you need eight? Or nine?
Our bodies break down. No wonder we’re exhausted. If you don’t get enough sleep and drink enough water, your body will collapse. Many people think they’re tired, but their body is actually thirsty.
There are two kinds of thirst: mouth thirst and body thirst. A doctor told me, “If your mouth feels dry—it’s too late. Your body was thirsty a long time ago, and you need enough water.”
2. Emotional Rest
The second rest is called emotional rest. There are many factors about emotional rest, but I will zero in on the biggest culprit.
What is the reason people are not resting emotionally?
It’s the lack of trust in God.
I’m a preacher, and I see this all the time. As long as we’re alive and breathing, problems will always be there. If you focus on your hardships, you will carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
But if you trust in God, the problems will still be there but He is there beside you.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
A yoke is a wooden bar that ties two oxen and pulls on a load to plow the land. Imagine this beautiful picture of you and Jesus yoked together to bear your burden.
Emotional rest comes from trusting in God.
3. Spiritual Rest
The third kind of rest you need is spiritual rest. Fill your heart with love, and you will have more rest in your life. Because love is the purpose of your life.
When you know you’re fulfilling your life purpose by loving people and loving God, there’s more rest and peace. But if you are not fulfilling your purpose, there’s a lot of disquiet and anxiety. You’re not satisfied and content, and you think worldly things will make you happy.
Friend, let your soul catch up with your body. Take some moments to rest today.
*This excerpt was taken from BETTER TODAY THAN YESTERDAY by Bo Sanchez, available in paperback and e-book copy at http://www.feastbooks.ph!
