Welcome to Week 3 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life. We have reached the halfway mark of this series, and I pray it has helped you renew your prayer life and reclaim time with loved ones. I hope you feel well on your way to resetting the rhythms of your life. 

I will admit, often the weariness, imbalance, and overwhelm that I feel results in a sense that I can’t think straight. My brain feels foggy, and I have a hard time focusing. Quite honestly, I think this is my body, mind, and spirit—my entire being—working together to tell to rest. I can’t go, go, go, and still expect to function well.

But too, too often, life gets bombarded with too much, and the demands push out our time to rest, just like they push out our time to pray and spend leisurely time with loved ones. Perhaps you can relate … That is why we are going to spend this week refocusing our attention on things that are good for our mental, emotional, and physical health.

Ending One Cycle, Beginning a New One

Every weekday morning, my alarm clock goes off at 5 a.m. And almost everyday, I hit the snooze button. I am so, so tired.

I think to myself, “You need more sleep. You cannot function well on so little.” But every day it’s the same. I arise early … and I stay up late.

I’m stuck in this cycle of exhaustion, fatigue, and weariness. And I’m not quite sure how to end the cycle and begin creating something new, refreshing, and restorative.

Our Scripture Reading for today reminds me of God’s love, compassion, and concern for me. He doesn’t want me exhausted; He wants me rested. And He gives sleep out of love for me and my entire wellbeing.

And I turn to Him and ask for the grace to receive this gift of sleep that He so generously gives.

Scripture Reading

Take a few moments to quiet your heart. Breathe in and out.

Read today’s Scripture verse.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.” —Psalm 127:1-2

After reading the verse once, read it one or two more times.

What stands out to you? A word, feeling, thought …

Journal Prompt

What do you think about the reality that God “grants sleep to those he loves”? Especially in this world that does not necessarily encourage us to rest?

Do you receive this gift of sleep well? If not, what could you do to accept this gift in a more open way?

Converse with God. Ask Him to show you how sleep can help you to refocus your attention, reclaim family time, renew your prayer life, and ultimately reset the rhythms of life.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of sleep. I am sorry I have not received this gift in a way that is pleasing to You. Now, I understand more clearly that You give me sleep out of love for me and out of concern for my wellbeing. I pray for the grace to receive the gift of sleep more openly. Help me to listen to my body and mind when they show me signs that I am tired. Help me to be obedient to this natural rhythm in my life, so that in turn, I can continue working on resetting the other rhythms of life. Amen.

This is part of a 31-day series on resetting the rhythms of life. To read more about this series and see each day’s posts, click here. Photo: Unsplash