Hello friends! I hope that you have found value over the last two days since we began this new journey into self discipline. I also hope that you will stick with me. I know that self discipline isn’t something we will likely conquer in just a couple days, but will require a life time of commitment.
If you’re just joining me, you can read my article, “Morning and Evening: A New Self Discipline Journey” to learn more about why I am doing this, and how this may benefit you as well.
What is Different this time
Today is Saturday, a day most aren’t having to work. Instead, they are trying to use this time to catch up on all the things they were not able to complete throughout the week. This may be house work, yard work, other chores, errands, running the kids to sporting events or other hobbies, and more.
Still, others may have jobs that require that they work on weekends and enjoy their days off on different days of the week. Today is just another work day for them. I get it. I myself am taking my oldest kids to a search and rescue training event through their local Civil Air Patrol squadron.
It is easy to forget that our bodies and minds need literal rest. Not just because it’s good practice to rest, but because God also commanded it (Exodus 20:8-11). With each of our morning and evening disciplines we are searching for peace and rest every day in Jesus. But there is something special about resting from our work.
To help, I will not be posting a morning and evening discipline like normal on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. Instead, I will post a primer for rest. The weekend edition will only be posted once on Saturday morning. I personally will take the weekends to rest and spend time with my family. My hope is that this primer will help set you up for a weekend of peace and rest in your own ways.
Ready? Let us begin!
Mindful Breathing Exercise
First, let’s start our weekend with a breathing exercise. This short video provides a brief explanation of the importance of our breath and then walks you through a breathing exercise. Feel free to follow along or simply practice breathing on your own.
Music to Relax To
I am a musician, and music is one of the tools that helps me get into a mindset of rest. This instrumental video may help you calm your mind and settle in to a posture of rest. If you’re not musical, and music doesn’t do anything for you, that’s ok! Feel free to skip this section and find a way that works best for you.
Prayer for Rest
Now that we have gotten comfortable and calm, let us transition to a time of prayer. Over the next few minutes you can pray on your own or feel free to use the following prayer:
God,
Help me to take appropriate rest from work, trusting You to provide for me (Matthew 6:25-33).
God, help me stop all the striving that makes me feel valuable and worthy, trusting that You have already given me value and worth (psalm 139:14).
Oh, great God, help me be still and rest in Your goodness and greatness.
Amen.
An excerpt from “Day 1: Prayer for Rest” | Christ Chapel Bible Church
Affirmations For Rest
Affirmations are a great way to speak to our minds and set the tone for our day (and in this case, our weekend).
Sometimes, we struggle to make time for rest. We find ourselves neglecting what our body and mind needs. Sometimes we need the words of our lips to penetrate the deepest reaches of our minds and remind ourselves to slow down.
Here are a few affirmations for your weekend that you can carry with you when you feel yourself resisting rest.
As you read through them, repeat each one out loud at least three times before moving to the next. Take your time. Remember, rest is the key. Close your eyes and say them to yourself as well. Let the words sink into your heart and mind.
- It’s okay to take a break. I need rest.
- I am taking care of myself by taking this time to relax.
- Rest is essential for my health and well-being.
- I give myself permission to rest.
What God Says About Rest
Each day we have examined several scriptures reminding us of what God has to say about ourselves, our purpose, and more. Since our focus for the weekend is rest we will slow down and only focus on one.
For this weekend, our scripture is:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
The Weekend Challenge
Each day we have challenged ourselves to practice new disciplines. This is great!
However, on the weekend, the challenge will always be the same: find rest.
When you feel the urge to “do something” knowing your body and mind needs rest, remember to speak the above affirmations to yourself. Remind yourself that it really is okay to rest. You need it. It’s been a hard week. You’ve worked hard. You’ve struggled and strived, and now its time to slow down.
Rest looks different for everyone. Perhaps you rest by…
- Grabbing a fishing pole and sitting by the water.
- Laying on a towel at the beach and listening to the waves crash.
- Going to the gym and relieve stress by working your muscles or running on the treadmill.
- Taking a long bike ride through the country side.
- Exploring back roads in your car.
- Going hiking and exploring the valleys and mountain tops.
Whatever rest looks like for you, find it, and in the process, look for God to be there ready to renew and refresh you.
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Thank you for allowing me to join. I have found your words and the words of our God most comforting over the last couple of days. May He reside in your heart and give you the rest you seek.
I am so glad to hear it! And thank you 🙂