When you come close to finishing a very demanding task, how do you feel? Ready to drop? Overwhelmed? Proud of yourself? Hopeful for good outcomes? Frankly, you probably feel tuckered out.
This content explores seven strategies of rest to finish something well. Interestingly, you’re nearing the last quarter of the year!
Tuckered Out
Indeed, this year is running out. At the half-point, we published “Live Effectively.” So, now near the end of this year, are you tuckered out?
Too often, early days of clarity and passion fade when tackling the work involved in purposeful living.
Strategically, some good advice: Take a rest! Fatigue interferes with your rhythm. In fact, it slows your pace.
Realistically, your pursuits don’t always go well. Perhaps an event changes your life drastically. Subsequently, you work to rise above setbacks. Still, over time, you’re tuckered out.
Naturally, you have the same number of hours a day – days a year – that everyone has. Of course, you want to fill your days well.
Did you know purposeful 15-20 minute work slots are extremely productive. Interestingly, the world’s greatest achievers know this secret.
7 Strategies Of Rest To Finish Well
Similarly, purposeful 5-10 minute breaks also promote rest and renewal.
- Pause.
- Close your eyes.
- Breath in and out.
- Then, picture God’s wings outstretched over you.
- Additionally, remember He’s your Source of life and power.
To support rest, focus on seven things as you pause:
1. Remember
Remember back to strong pursuits. What changed after your good launch? Is it good or bad?
Now, consider the possibility of a rest period. Remember, it will help you get back on course.
2. Enjoy
Reflect on past successful memories. Enjoy these experiences and accomplishments.
Additionally, ask God to reboot your pursuits. Just because time and fatigue add up, doesn’t mean good beginnings are over.
Meanwhile, enjoy your rest break.
Finally, think “forward” again.
3. Refocus
Strategically, refocus –
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- Match current efforts with your original stride.
- Plus, review past successful strategies for perspective.
- Additionally, carve unhealthy thought patterns away.
- Recommit to faith and hope in God. More than anyone, He knows how to help you refocus.
4. Lean
Lean into God by faith. Afterall, He’s your “First Love.” (Rev. 2:4)
Also, confess any sin present.
Strategically, and deliberately, lean close to God. Knowing Him better gives you wisdom and guidance. It also means “rest.”
5. Re-Invest
When you’re tuckered out from fatigue and stress, reclaim confidence in God – by faith. Essentially, re-invest confidence in His Word. Equally, be deliberate to be in His Word daily. Also, re-invest your heart in relationship with God.
6. Persevere
Decide you will persevere. Interestingly, as you remember – enjoy, refocus, lean, reinvest, and persevere – you engage a fresh new “mini power launch.”
Plus, to build resolve and fresh energy – persevere.
Frankly, the best way to persevere is to “get going” again.
7. Power Nap
Yes, you have time for a 5-10 minute power nap. It refreshes you at every level. Incidentally, you can power nap anywhere in any scenario.
A power nap is strategic – like Jesus lived. He often took time away.
In summary, when you’re tuckered out, “Come to Me all you who labor and are burdened. I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28)
God Wants All Of You!
God wants all of you. His deep love for you gives hope. So, give “all of you” to God.
1. Your Heart
God provides unconditional love. Of course, this gives your heart hope. So, open your heart to God’s love. Also, this increases restfulness.
“Hope does not disappoint because God has poured His love into our hearts.” (Rom. 5:5)
Give your heart to God.
2. Your Mind
God wants you to use your mind.
- Turn it on.
- Equally, apply truth to details of daily life.
- Explore and develop habits that please God.
- Manage root issues that interfere with progress.
- Plus, develop action steps to engage better choices.
All those points sharpen your mind and encourage a restful approach to life.
Rom. 12:2 says, “. . . be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Give your mind to God.
3. Your Body
Significantly, visible actions prove you trust God. Naturally, this involves your body.
Interestingly, your body is your home. Obviously, you live – time and space – in this “temple.” God created you as a physical being.
1 Cor. 6:20 says, “You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
Give your body to God.
God Has Plans
Heart, mind, body. Yes, Jesus wants “all of you.” Fully, an Alive and Active Life.
Remarkably, God has plans for you.
- First, He wants relationship with you.
- Second, He has purpose for creating you.
- Third, He has global work for you to do.
Now, Let’s explore those three points.
1. Relationship
Even when bad things happen, Jesus brings good from evil. Trust Him. Sadly, you may endure consequences for choices – whether your fault, someone else’s fault, or simply unfortunate realities of living in a fallen world.
However, God actively redeems your trials as you trust Him.
Yes, God wants relationship with you.
2. Purpose
God has purpose for your life. Plus, He reveals it step by step as you trust Him. Additionally, He defines your purpose. Finally, He fills life with adventure.
Yes, God has a purpose for creating you.
3. Global Work
Incredibly, God has global plans for you. Through your life, He wants to make a difference in this world.
So, do good things that glorify God and build others up.
Options to have global impact:
- Give. Many people need help. Pray to explore how to give.
- Go. Whether your community or to another country, get involved.
- Pray. Your prayers make a difference. So, pray specifically.
- Connect. Even in little ways, connect with others. Plus, connect with organizations that serve people in need.
Yes, God has global interests with you involved.
Summary – seven action points help you work efficiently and support rest when you’re tuckered out. Plus, they connect you with God and healthy living.
- Remember.
- Enjoy.
- Refocus.
- Lean.
- Re-invest.
- Persevere.
- Power nap.
Feel Good About It
Have you noticed people want to feel good about themselves. So, they “identify” with various things, groups, political positions, etc. Essentially, they seek to validate their life.
Unfortunately, working to validate yourself can also wear you out. You get tuckered out.
Jesus invites you to simply accept His validation of your life. Actually, when you accept His validation, you also get rest.
Essentially, even if you don’t feel good about what’s going on in the world or your community, you can feel good about your contribution.
So, accept Christ’s invitation to do life with Him in your community and globally.
A Great Verse
Here’s a great verse containing both commands and promise.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened (tuckered out), and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30)
These verses assure you:
- If you are weary and burdened, you will get rest.
- You can learn from God, Himself! This is amazing.
- Jesus is gentle and humble, so you are safe coming close to Him.
- Best of all, Jesus gives you power to live a healthy life. Essentially, life becomes a bit easier. Afterall, His burden is “light.”
- God can do what you can’t. Trust His involvement.
Basically, to get rest and be effective in your work, be rightly connected to God.
Connect With God
Heb. 12:18-24 talks about “A Mountain of Fear and a Mountain of Joy.”
God uses a physical mountain to teach His people about His holiness. Basically, a picture to help them understand Him better. His mountain is safe. Yet, it’s also terrifying because of God’s holiness.
Even Moses – God’s spokesman, representative, and leader – was terrified at this mountain. He said, “I am trembling with fear.” (vs. 21)
Moses spent “face time” with God on that mountain of fear. Radically, he also discovered this mountain is a place of joy!
Connect with God on His mountain. Of course – you know how to “face time.”
Application Thoughts And Questions
- How do you rest as you live a busy life? Be specific.
- What will you do to connect with God to be renewed and refreshed? Be specific.
- Focus on seven things that support rest when you’re tuckered out.
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- Remember.
- Enjoy.
- Refocus.
- Lean.
- Re-invest.
- Persevere.
- Power nap.
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- Do you accept Jesus’ invitation to “face time” with Him?
- Daily, set aside time on God’s invisible mountain of fear and joy. Remember – “the fear of the Lord” is very safe. Why not increase your personal joy?
For Your Quiet Time
* Portions of this content come from my book Shadows of Things To Come – a study in Hebrews that explores safe shadows God puts over your life. Plus, practical action points. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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