I’m not a good rester. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy down days, but I struggle to differentiate between resting and laziness.
When my kids were little, I’d jump for joy on snow days because that meant we got to stay in our pajamas, watch movies, and sip hot cocoa with marshmallows. Even now, nothing to do is my favorite thing to do, mostly because I have an unreasonable sense of responsibility. Can you relate?
Laziness is easy. It requires nothing of us. But when left unchecked, it can lead to feelings of restlessness, depression, or even apathy. Rest, however, is vital for health and well-being. Our bodies need adequate sleep, just as our spirits need godly refreshment.
So what does true rest look like, and how can we avoid disguising it as an opportunity to be lazy?
Here are a few things to consider:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
In the post titled, “A Prayer to Overcome Procrastination and Laziness,” Emma Danzey writes, “The temptation to be lazy is ever-present. Just like any sin, laziness is exchanging long-term benefits for partaking in temporary pleasure. It is a seemingly easy road, but it leads to consequences.”
Though laziness comes easy, the consequences are never worth it. As I mentioned in the introduction, too much downtime leads to depression and lack of motivation. When allowed to become a habit, laziness can even lead to forsaking your God-given purpose.
The first step in conquering this temptation is to call it what it is. If you’re like me, you’d rather downplay laziness as being a low-energy person or needing more me time. And listen, there is nothing wrong with taking good care of yourself and moving through life at a slower pace.
The real sin issue is allowing laziness to stifle your relationships, productivity, and witness for Christ. When you’d rather zone out in front of the TV for days on end instead of meeting that friend or serving that neighbor, laziness has the upper hand. (Speaking to myself here!)
Thankfully, God is faithful and always provides a way out.
-He shows you someone in need.
-He prompts you to take an extended break from media.
-He rekindles your gifts and talents.
-He allows short times of rest to refuel and energize you.
Resist the temptation to believe laziness is part of who you are. Pray for God’s help to turn lazy days into recuperation days so you can get back to His beautiful calling on your life.
Lord, please keep me from the temptation of laziness by reminding me of Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
The difficult thing about rest is the discipline it takes to do it right. In contrast to laziness, resting requires us to engage in restorative practices that engage our bodies, minds, and souls. This might include:
-Deeper study of the Bible
-Intercessory prayer
-Interactive praise and worship
-Rejuvenating sleep
-Quality time with loved ones
When seeking to implement godly rest into our schedule, we can count on the Holy Spirit to produce self-discipline as we step into godly behaviors.
1 Timothy 4:8 reminds us, “Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Let rest become a spiritual discipline led by the Holy Spirit and blessed by the Father who draws us into the comfort of His presence. Just like exercise, the more we incorporate it, the more we desire it.
Lord, please change my desire for laziness into a desire for more of You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:17
Who doesn’t enjoy the freedom to do whatever their heart desires? This is the catch when it comes to laziness. It might start out as carefree and happy, but it can quickly turn into a license to sin. (Again, speaking to myself here!)
It’s true that everyone needs a break from time to time, and it’s important to create a margin for enjoyment. But discerning between the pleasures of the flesh and liberties of the spirit can be difficult—even for the most seasoned Christian.
Please don’t misunderstand. There is nothing wrong with having fun. I love a good date night or beach vacation, and I try to appreciate every moment of these opportunities. But there’s something to be said for the deeper pleasure of being in God’s presence.
As David said in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Let’s find balance between enjoyment of life and pleasure in the joy of God’s presence.
Lord, please help me treasure the joy of Your presence more than the enjoyment of fleeting experiences.
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2 (ESV)
For creative entrepreneurs like me, stopping to rest feels unproductive and boring. It means I need to stop talking and start listening. It means I need to quiet my thoughts to receive God’s thoughts.
In the article, “How to Stay Awake to God's Wonder When Life Feels Boring,” Whitney Hopler writes, “Rather than approaching prayer and meditation as boring obligations, approach them as delightful opportunities to communicate with your Creator.”
Resting in communion with God is the best rest. We are invited into the Holy of Holies to meet with Him. The flood of peace, joy, and refreshment that comes from spending time in His presence is incomparable. Let’s change how we think. Instead of regarding rest as an obligation, let’s view it as an invitation.
Lord, thank You for the invitation to rest in Your holy presence. Help me quiet my thoughts to hear what You are saying. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.” Proverbs 19:15
In this devotional, “Don’t Lose Out on Life to Laziness,” writer Aaron D’Anthony Brown says, “The Bible has plenty to say about laziness, and none of it is good. There’s no doubt that all of us struggle with this sin in one form or another, whether putting off an assignment, applying for a job, or letting those clothes sit in the hamper instead of putting them away.”
His reminder, that the Bible has nothing good to say about laziness, should motivate us to confront it as sin and deal with it appropriately. The good news is, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
We start with a clean slate every time we admit the sin of laziness to God and receive His forgiveness. The problem is we don’t always recognize laziness as a distraction. Here are a few ways to discern it:
-Laziness doesn’t help us feel rested but leads to restlessness.
-Laziness doesn’t help us bounce back but keeps us down.
-Laziness doesn’t think about what God wants, but what we want.
Pray for discernment to see laziness as a hindrance. Ask God to show you how this distraction leads to avoidance of what He has gifted you to do.
Lord, please remove the distraction of laziness and refuel my desire to serve you and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10
I’ve read through Hebrews 4 many times, always pausing on the verses about rest. I realize the writer is emphasizing faith in Jesus versus unbelief, but I also see a parallel between striving in the flesh and resting in the Lord.
There is purpose in divine rest, not only for salvation but for daily life. Imagine waking up each day with one thing in mind: following God’s lead. He knows what we need. He created us to work hard, enjoy life, and rest well. Once we flip the switch between laziness and God-given rest, we’ll find we have deeper peace, fuller joy, and a greater sense of purpose.
Lord, please renew my purpose in You, allowing laziness to become a thing of the past. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
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