Sometimes you need a good nap: And other lessons from Elijah about the power of getting your needs met
Calm in a Chaotic World Series, Part 7
I would like to tell you a story about a guy who got a good nap, and a snack, and then did great things for God. I would also like to tell you about my failed Sabbath/rest practice. If you perpetually feel like you’re not doing enough, or it’s not going well, or you’re really worn out, this is for you.
You know me, I’m all about faith-centered mental health. That’s not because I’m so good at it, but because I am so aware I need it. To prove my point: This year I decided to reinstate my weekly Sabbath day. I had a good Sabbath practice before my husband deployed last year, and then all margin for it went out the window. So I knew this year I needed to be intentional to get back into the habit.
I decided on Saturdays because I don’t have too many Mom commitments that day. The first Saturday, I woke up, <yawwwwn>, smiling at my good fortune to be able to have a day off. Then I felt like I was crawling out of my skin the rest of the day. My drug of choice is activity, and this inactivity felt awful. This was the longest day on Earth. I did not know what to do. Even if I did, I couldn’t settle down enough to do it.
This is the experience of someone whose nervous system is firing on all cylinders and not very regulated. This is also why having dinner with a friend, or taking a day off is often not enough for us to feel truly rested and relaxed. Our bodies and minds go through a lot, and they can require more time to settle and to recharge than we think.
The next Saturday, I tried again. But this time I prepped a little. I got some extra things done on Friday so they wouldn’t be hanging over my head and distracting my thoughts. I made a list of enjoyable and relaxing activities I might want to do on Saturday, without making any commitments. I made sure food was taken care of so I didn’t have to cook for the family. And that Saturday was glorious. I felt good and mostly relaxed, although…the nervous system. I still have work to do in this area.
I tell this story because “rest” is not always a straight forward thing. Our lives are not wired for good rest. Our culture does not encourage it. No one pats us on the back for taking great care of ourselves. They praise us for productivity. They praise us for appearing to hold it all together, not for letting things fall apart, including ourselves.
That time Elijah got desperate and took a nap
Elijah knew a thing or two about falling apart. In 1 Kings 19, he was coming off an immense demonstration of God’s power, and of his place as one of God’s preeminent prophets. If you haven’t read 1 Kings 18 in a while, it’s a wild ride. Then Jezebel finds out he had the prophets of Baal slaughtered (ick) and he ended up on the run.
This reminds me so much of the story of David that we visited in part 4 of this series. A man with a tremendous calling on his life, doing great things for God, and still ending up alone, exhausted, and scared. These are your Bible heroes, friends. They are human and broken and so very tired.
He traveled alone for a day into the wilderness, sat under a bush and prayed to die! He was so desperate to be free from his fear and what he felt was his failure as a prophet. He went to sleep, like most people do after a good cry. And then an angel woke him up to the smell of freshly baked bread (which is alone worth living for, right?). The angel tells him to eat and drink because “this stuff is hard”.
Soon afterward, he has an opportunity to stand in the presence of God, and God speaks to him in a whisper. And he has clarity and vision again and is sent back to his ministry. That’s a great part of the story too, I just don’t have time here to elaborate.
What can we learn from Angie and Elijah’s mistakes
(I just wanted to put our names together in a sentence.)
If you feel alone or desperate or worn to the bone, it does not mean you have failed. In fact, you may be succeeding at what you’re supposed to be doing. Either way, fatigue is a part of life.
Having real needs and trying to get them met doesn’t make you needy. The Lord knows you have needs - He made you that way.
God doesn’t rebuke you when you are weary and honest about it, He nourishes you.
Sleep and good food is not a luxury; it’s the minimum your body needs to function. If you aren’t giving your body the minimum, you can’t expect to feel well mentally or physically.
Resting is not just physical. It opens you up to hear from God, to be refreshed, and to have your vision renewed. In fact, sometimes falling apart is the very thing that leads you to a holy moment with Him.
Good rest requires intention. You may have to walk a day into the wilderness (figuratively or literally) to get it.
It’s funny how we revere the best part of people’s lives. We want to “dance like David did” and “have the faith of Abraham”. We forget the very human parts that led them to repentance, to humility, to desperation for God’s presence, and to rest. Just like us, they were often forced into rest one way or another.
What if we didn’t wait to be forced into it? What if we recognized and acknowledged when our bodies and minds were out of sorts and did something about it? What if we cared for ourselves as the angel cared for Elijah, instead of putting ourselves last? What if we rested as a habit instead of as a last resort?
What questions do you have? Contact me and let me know, even if you totally disagree with me. 🙂
Resources to help you on your journey to healthier emotions and thoughts:
Connection Codes - tool for processing and expressing emotions, great for individuals and couples
Work with me 1-on-1 virtually to develop your emotional awareness and create healthier life patterns
