Resting Your Thoughts

Let’s ponder the concept of rest – the resting of your thoughts not just the body.  For some of you, your thoughts never stop.  It is like a race track in your head.  Thoughts race around concerning the future or regret of the past and what you did not do.  These thoughts lead to worry and anxiety.  They never stop and you are exhausted mentally and physically because your thoughts do not cease and allow you to sleep peacefully.

These thoughts feed your worry.  Worry creates anxiety.  Worry is being fearful that nobody is in control, and you need to take on the role.  Worry does not see anybody handling the situation or relationship.  This worry heightens your anxiety and you begin to put feelings and emotions into future events that you have not yet experienced.  They are just events on a calendar without emotions attached, but when you take today’s feelings and emotions and put them into the future, you create fear and worry.  You take away peace from the present, too.  You never rest your mind which prevents your body from completely resting.

Rest.  You may associate rest with inactivity, being lazy, not accomplishing anything.  It is a luxury you cannot claim.  Rest seems impossible with your demands, schedule, and responsibilities.  It is coming to realize rest is so much more.  Rest is a freedom.  Rest is silence for a period of time.  Rest is not inactivity only.  Rest is purposeful.  Rest is needed.

Rest can also mean resting from the thoughts, the busyness, the overwhelming tasks, and taking a walk, reading a book, sitting on your porch.  Rest is letting go of what controls you and giving yourself a break to enjoy the good of life.  Rest from your schedule, your phone, your social media, and enjoy the beauty around you.  Sometimes, you even need to rest from people.  You may be peopled out and need to be alone.

It is learning to rest your thoughts which means resting from anxiety and worry.  It is choosing to rest in the present with your thoughts not focusing on the future. It is resting in your faith.  It is trusting Someone greater than yourself is in control, and you do not need to carry the load.

Rest is a peace and contentment that you do not have to be busy and exhausted and overwhelmed and feel guilty about all that you think should be done.  For example, rest could be beginning each day with a blank slate and listening to God’s plan and guidance, “What do you, God, have for me today?”  The world values busy, exhausted, overworked achievers.  There is definitely value in accomplishing tasks.  Yes, having purpose and completing tasks gives meaning. 

Resting is slowing down your thoughts of negativity and the fear of not doing enough and defining yourself by your work. Yes, there are tasks that need to be accomplished because you live in this world and have other people dependent on you.  But you can rest your thoughts and focus just on today.  It is not worrying about what could happen in the future.  Rest in the present.  Find peace in the moment.

Rest renews and refreshes your spirit.  Be intentional in resting your thoughts along with your body and your activity.

Elaine’s website – www.livinginthedifferent.com

Elaine J. Sturtz

Living In The Different