Restlessness is the constant go.When you're not doing, you feel useless, bored, fidgety and anxious. You do not know how to relax unless you're on vacation, and perhaps for you, even in a beach environment, you do not know how to shut it off. The brain and the body is wired for stimulation and the constant "do" or "go."
How do you step out of restlessness?
First you have to get to the crux of the why you need to keep going. Does your "do" give you validation, value or self-worth? Does the fruit of your constant-toil give you great rewards? Are you seeing incredible results and that's your motivation? Or does the silence haunt you with all sorts of accusations and questions? Does guilt drive you to drown out the unanswered questions? Is boredom the constant knock on the other side of your quiet moments? Do you get anxious because you can't accomplish everything on your list? Are you a perfectionist because having control keeps order in your mind? Have you asked yourself the truth behind the why you live in the restlessness that you have created?
That last question bothered me too. but any situation that is contrary to the word of God, we have created. It was not circumstances or situations. It was our response and reaction. The word of God tells us that we are to trade our yoke to His because it's lighter, and that we should enter into His rest. If that is the case, then restlessness is the place where we believe that we need to have all under control, even our quiet time. That sounds like we don't need God. (ouch)
Did you know that your quiet time is the greatest opportunity for intimacy not only with God but with those you love the most. Your mind is quiet, your attention becomes laser-focused and you have the ability to give of yourself in intensity because there are no distractions. Rich and I decided not to put a TV on the main floor of the house so that we could encourage more uninterrupted conversation with our family. They complain sometimes that we should have a TV in at least the living room, but they have also realized that not having one slows us down and keeps us focused when talking to each other.
Slowing down is an art that takes practice over and over again. You have to intentionally choose to slow it down and shut it down. When restlessness creeps in, because it will, you need to choose not to entertain it and reassure yourself that you're doing the right thing. This is not an overnight change. It's a change you have to choose again and again on your day, hours or moments of rest...and yes you can do it.
Goodbye restlessness!
Love32 is a series of blogs, videos and posts that will raise awareness and will invite you to do life better. It will coax you to think or rethink certain areas in your life, and how you may want to change, embrace or do more.
Remember...there is greatness in you.
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