I usually love this time of year, when the calendar rolls over signaling the start of a rest-filled month. In my little corner of the world, July brings with it lots of family time, sunny days, and vacations. A time to replenish. Usually.

But as we are all well aware, things change. Some years look different. Vacation plans get canceled, work schedules adjust to meet all the challenges. We agonize over what will happen with our kids’ school schedules. And in the midst of it all, we can’t forget to watch out for health concerns. It’s enough to make my brain tired.

I’ve wondered lately how I can feel so exhausted, when physically I haven’t been doing as much as I’m used to. It seems like I’m home more than normal, and maybe even less active. So why do we feel so worn out?

Because a mind working overtime leads to a spirit in need of rest.

Maybe like me, you’ve been fighting information overload. Mulling over decisions, adding to your to-do lists, considering all the what-ifs. Or maybe your current responsibilities have you running on overload. Even though we feel like we’re not being productive, we still lack our usual energy.

If I’m not getting anything done, why am I so tired?

What we are all experiencing may be a signal that we need a little extra rest. A simple self assessment will help us determine whether we need a brain-break right about now. Let’s allow these 3 questions to guide us as we assess our need for rest this week.

3 Questions to Help Me Assess My Need for Rest

When I look at the week ahead, do I feel overwhelmed?
Am I responding in frustration when my loved ones ask normal, everyday questions?
Am I having frequent strange dreams and waking up confused about simple things, like what day it is?

If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, you may be in need of more rest. Resting the mind doesn’t necessarily mean more sleep. Because let’s be real, sometimes that’s just not possible. The good news is that we can find rest for a tired spirit in many different ways.

A few moments to decompress will do wonders for a weary spirit.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to rest.

A Few Favorite Ways to Rest

Stepping outside to feel the sun on my face and listen to the sounds of nature.
Closing my eyes and focusing on deep breathing for five minutes.
A cup of my favorite hot tea while praying a prayer of thanksgiving.
Listening to the Psalms read aloud on a Bible app.

Could I encourage you today to jot down a few of your favorite ways to rest? Then follow that up by writing down one of these verses. When we open our eyes to our need for rest and turn that need over to God, He will provide what we need to guard our hearts and minds, and give us rest for our souls.

Verses for When Our Minds Need Rest

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV

“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.” Matthew 11:29

“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14 ESV

Praying you will find the rest you need in the coming days, and that God will fill you to overflowing with His rejuvenating peace.

For more encouragement to help when you feel overloaded, check out this post, Moving from an Overloaded Life to Overflowing with Hope.

Blessings,

Kristine

It amazes me how easily I can fall back into a pattern of focusing on the negative. It just seems to be the way of life these days. Arguing, fussing, and frustration abound while pointing out the good in our lives takes a back seat. I’d like to say I’ve overcome the urge to dwell on the negative, but that wouldn’t be true. Lately I’ve been the first one to raise her guilty hand. The first one to break into a fit of complaining.

So when negativity sneaks in, how do we stay content? How do we “learn to be content” like Paul did?

Now I’ll admit, I do have some control over my complaining. I know this because I’ve managed to keep negative thoughts off social media and out of public. I’m able to resist griping at the grumpy lady at Walmart or shaking my fist at the distracted driver next to me. But get me in the privacy of my own home or in the comfortable presence of family and friends, and it’s a whole different story.

Somehow I’ve let my home become a safe landing place for negativity, but that’s not what God wants for me, my home, or my family. He wants me to have peace, joy, and the comfort of his Holy Spirit.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11 NIV

When difficult things come at us from all directions, it’s hard to fathom the kind of contentment Paul describes in Philippians chapter 4. We want to discover how to be content, like Paul talks about, but you might be asking yourself, “How can I be content with all the stuff going on in my life right now? With everything I’ve been through?”

No one understood the struggle for contentment more than Paul, and from his letter to the church at Philippi, we can be reassured today. Learning how to be content is possible, whatever problems we may be facing.

Discovering the Contentment Paul Describes

Paul’s sense of peace can be felt in reading these final words to the Philippians. I can almost hear his sigh of satisfaction as he gives the last charge to his friends.

Rejoice.

Give thanks.

Rely on God’s peace.

Think about good things.

This is profound advice, but even more so when we realize where they came from. Paul had been through some tough stuff - worse than many of us will ever experience. Yet because of that we can take comfort in knowing his words come from a place of having been there.

We may find it hard to listen to someone who can’t identify with our circumstances. That’s one reason this verse holds such power. Paul understood, but he didn’t just say, “Me too.” He encouraged us all by letting us know if he could do it, we could too.

The Secret to Being Content

Looking just a bit further into the chapter, Paul reveals the secret to true contentment. (Which isn’t really a secret at all.)

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (Emphasis mine.)

He gives us the answer in bold declaration. It isn’t in God’s character to hide the truth from us, or make us scrounge for what we hope for. The message is simple, delivered through a trusted servant of Christ. The answer is this:

Learning to be content begins with letting Jesus be my strength.

Contentment is a tricky thing - at least, we can make it that way. And God knew we couldn’t find it alone. We would need help, which He generously provided. Jesus longs to be our strength, and to help us find contentment when we struggle to do it on our own.

So when I start to fall back into that old pattern of negativity and complaining takes the place of speaking God’s praise, I have hope. In verse 18 Paul says, “I am amply supplied…” He had what he needed, and that was enough.

May we all find strength through Jesus today to see we are amply supplied with God’s goodness. And may we trade negativity for a content-filled life.

Blessings,

Kristine