Do you need to discover the value of rest? In today’s world, rest is a scarce commodity. It often seems that the only ones allowed the privilege of rest are the sick and the elderly, yet we all need it. So, how does one find space in their busy day-to-day lives for enough rest to remain healthy? My purpose in this blog is to provide you with some answers.
Lies Keep Us from Rest
I grew up in a home filled with confusing lies that contributed to harmful abuse. Much of what I endured, I’ve already shared in previous blog posts, including https://crystalmmhuntley.com/2024/02/religious-abuse-can-you-see-the-signs/. My parents placed judgment on virtually everything, using that judgment as a base of control. In one specific lie that my father frequently told, he used my mother as his example. He often declared her as the example of a “good woman.” He drew his conclusion from the fact that Mother always kept busy as she worked hard maintaining our home.
That damaging lie imprinted into my brain the concept that if I am to be declared “good,” I must always remain busy. As a result, whenever I took the time to rest, guilt filtered in. To keep free from this guilt, I remained busier and busier. As a result, by the time I became a teenager, busyness had taken over my life. As I matured into a woman while raising my four children, I lost the ability to rest. When I tried to take a break to refresh myself or do something for enjoyment, all beneficial effects became sabotaged. They became yet another chore to check off my mental to-do list.
The Conflict
Here comes the conflict. I have lived my life with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which significantly weakens my body. Ironically, the only way to keep the pain and debilitating effects of this syndrome minimized is to get ample rest. My added need for rest means that no matter how hard I try, I cannot pack into my days nearly the amount of work and activities that most people do in today’s world.
Another challenge I face that gets in the way of receiving adequate rest is that today’s world places great value on the go-go lifestyle. Society almost makes a competition out of who can run the hardest and do the most. As a result of my father’s imprinted lies, society’s tendencies, and my struggle for self-worth, I continuously face pressure to push myself beyond my body’s capabilities. The inevitable result for me always remained the same—the more I pushed myself beyond my physical abilities, the harder I crashed and the longer it took to recover.
A Reason for Everything
“Everything happens for a reason” is a common statement I believe rings with truth. As a result of this belief, I sometimes wonder if God allowed me to be born with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to help me filter out my father’s lies and step away from society’s misplaced competition. If my guess is correct, I admit it is taking me an agonizing length of time to learn this lesson. The reason I say this is because I often attempt to answer that internal call to press on beyond what my body and health can support.
I also continue to battle shame, which is often used as a lie’s supreme control tool, when I slow down and rest. For more on this, go to https://crystalmmhuntley.com/2023/08/have-lies-kept-your-heart-from-being-whole/. My struggle proves that I don’t yet fully heed the truth within Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are not saved by works, but only by the grace of God.
Commanded to Rest
Anyone who calls themselves a Christian would know the fourth commandment found in the Old Testament.
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, … For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11 NIV).
I’ve grappled with this commandment my whole life. Shouldn’t all days be holy? After all, each day lived on Earth is a gift from God. And what does it mean not to do any work? Achieving that goal seems impossible. If I don’t work, someone else would have to, for necessities never cease. Not to mention, what about those who must work on a sabbath day, like medical staff and emergency workers, or those who would lose their jobs? I see value and common sense in all the other commandments, but this one seems unachievable.
Not Enough Rest Leads to Burnout
One of the downfalls of not implementing rest into your days is burnout. For more information on how to battle burnout, see https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-recover-from-burnout. I have battled burnout for the past twenty-eight years, ever since the birth of my fourth child. I desperately need to gain peace in resting to receive its value. To do this, I must fight against the damaging programming imprinted by my father that says to rest is evil.
Any pattern woven into daily existence, whether beneficial or detrimental, becomes comfortable. To fight against the lies I battle, I must be willing to move into the uncomfortable. If I persist long enough, soon the uncomfortable will become comfortable.
To see more Crystalisms, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1360983917796761.
Discover the Value of Rest
I wonder if God gave us the fourth commandment to teach us the valuable lesson that rest is good for us. If God took time to rest, we should follow our Savior’s example and do likewise. Our Lord uses this commandment to tell us that, like with any intricate machinery, we cannot continuously keep running. If we try to do so, inevitably, we will burn out. It takes much less energy to maintain an engine than to run it hard until it breaks down and then attempt to repair it. For more on this topic, see Find Your Balance, https://crystalmmhuntley.com/2023/12/how-to-better-balance-your-life/. Take time out frequently to rest and refresh yourself. You are valuable beyond measure, and You Are Worth It!
Note to My Readers
Hopefully, you have gained value from this blog post. If you have, I would like to offer you the opportunity to purchase my books. You can purchase The Hidden Diamond and Robin’s Gift here at BUY THE BOOK – Crystal MM Huntley.
An additional site where you can find my books is https://bkbookshoppe.com. However, if you prefer to purchase from Amazon, you will find The Hidden Diamond at http://www.amazon.com/The-Hidden-Diamond-Crystal-MM-Huntley/dp/1665573767 and Robin’s Gift at https://www.amazon.com/Robins-Gift-Crystal-MM-Huntley/dp/B0CVL7746N.
Each purchase of my books supports my mission to break the chains of abuse. Once you have read either of my books, feel free to leave a review on the site you purchased from. Your review will encourage others also to seek out the path of healing.
Alexandra All souls are priceless no matter their past. A personal reason to testify. Assure myself with a pep talk. Boundaries Breaking Out Breathe into the space of peace. Complex CPTSD Continue to write for God. Difficult people can become a catalyst for growth. Discover My Newest Post Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Forgiveness Free Giveaway From Robin’s Gift God chooses. Grace Enters Hope How I got out of the wheelchair. Installing Healthy Boundaries Invite Keep up the good work. Master New Skills My Mission My Story No meaningful journey exists without pitfalls. Note To My Readers Resources Robin’s Gift Robin’s Gift – A Sneak Peak Share my healing journey. Taboo topics have infiltrated people. Take the Challenge Thank you. The Behind Story The Hidden Diamond Transcend into healthy boundaries. Upcoming Posts We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know. Why I Write Writing Is My Passion Writing Mirrors Life You Are Worthy! Your Gain “When I am weak then I am strong.”
