Many children of God hold Him to ransom for their poor health, but this is rather unfortunate, because most of the problems they have are simply self-inflicted. That’s right – self-inflicted!
I was reading the London Metro a few days ago and saw this article, “Working 11-hour days ‘is bad for your heart'”, the article stated that “office workers who clock up long hours could have a 60 per cent greater risk of heart disease and early death.
Overtime harms the heart, with those working longer hours feeling more stressed, not getting enough sleep and having less time to unwind.”
It stressed further that “Researchers looked at more than 6,000 British civil servants aged between 39 and 61 over an average of 11 years…. the risk of suffering a heart attack or angina, or developing heart disease, was assessed over the course of the study.”
The Lord knew the importance of rest when He instituted the Sabbath. Do you observe the Sabbath? I am not talking of Saturday or the heavenly rest that is to come – I mean do you really take time out each week to rest?
Look here: Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:31 (The Message)
Mel Williams puts it like this: “Come away and rest. The word “rest” in Hebrew means more than stopping work or activity. Rest means tranquility, serenity, peace, and repose. No strife, no fighting, no fear, no distrust. (From Abraham Heschel, THE SABBATH, p. 27) If we had more people who could reach a place of no fighting, no fear, and no distrust, that would be truly revolutionary.”
If you are not resting, you are disobedient, it’s that simple!
Friend, take time to rest, when you do so, your body will start to recover from illnesses and the wear and tear of the day. If you look after your body, it will surely repay you with long life.