Category: TROG Tip

There’s a Yoruba saying that suggests we should know what is chasing us before we start running. So let me ask again, what are you afraid of that is making you cling so much to work and making rest feels near impossible?

Imagine you went away for 2 weeks, no access to phones, you’re by yourself. You have basic needs taken care of but you’re otherwise alone, by yourself with no to do list, no expectations to meet…. what would happen? 

Some people avoid rest because

1. They can’t stand being alone. 
2. They feel that their self worth is tied to productivity.
3. Work provides a distraction from problems at home.
4. They just don’t know how to rest.

What’s your reason? Whatever feelings you have are valid, rest, TROG, deep rest, can be very scary.

Once you’ve explored your fears on the topic, I’d like  to ask you: can you to take a leap of faith by believing that if God says your rest is sacred, there’s a possibility that God is right? Can you? 

You may be familiar with the word: hangry. It is when you  are angry because you’re hungry.

My first main experience of this word was when I was hangry without even realizing it. My husband and I were walking home and he said to me, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you squeezing your face?” I snapped back “I’m not squeezing my face. Nothing is wrong.” And then I thought about it a some more and I realized I was squeezing my face. I wondered what was wrong. It had been a good day except that I hadn’t eaten anything reasonable all day. Then I said, “Oh I think I’m hangry.” We got home a few minutes later and I had a nice meal and felt much better.

Whether or not we are conscious of it, we go through life feeling and expressing our emotions. In the example above, I needed a moment of reflection to become aware of my hangry feeling.

Sometimes we don’t address our rest needs because we are not aware when we are lacking it. Please take a moment to think. How are you feeling right now about your work and rest? Feel free to construct a new word to name your reality.

Here are some examples of what you may be feeling:

• Workstrated is being frustrated because of work.
• Workilty is being guilty because of the work you have done or not done.
• Workwhelmed is being overwhelmed from work.
• Restad  is being sad that you have not rest.
• Repressed is being depressed because of lack of rest.
• Suffrest is suffering from lack of rest.

These may be fake English words but they are real human emotions. Name your reality so you can decide what you want to do about it.

Sleep and rest are not the same thing but they are related.

When doctors say that 7-9hours of sleep is recommended for adults, you will need to adjust for your personal circumstance. Most of this sleep should happen at night and you may need to supplement with naps.

You probably need more sleep and naps if

1. You’re ill
2. You have young children or other family members needing late night, early morning or overnight care
3. Your work or lifestyle is physically demanding
4. You are stressed
5. You are sleep deprived for any other reason

Are you getting enough sleep for you?

Feeling stressed is an excellent time to take a break and remind yourself of God’s presence to help you. Inspired songs are an excellent resource for that.

Here is one of my favorites. “Sanctuary, God is here” by Karen Clark Sheard.

Here is one of the stanzas

There is a sweet anointing in the sanctuary

There is a stillness in the atmosphere

O come lay down the burdens you have carried

For in the sanctuary God is here

Listen now.