Finding Rest, Renewal & Peace in Our Busy, Modern Lives

Does this sound familiar to anyone?: Run to class, get through four meetings, zip over to the store, make dinner, go to the gym, finish your homework, start your laundry, respond to the never-ending emails and texts, fall asleep while working on your extracurricular project and wake up the next day, just to do it ALL over again. In our modern society, the words rest and solitude seem to be foreign. The words busy, overwhelmed,and exhausted seem all too familiar. We are often thinking of the next thing, rarely being present with ourselves, others and Jesus. Corrie Ten Boom, a woman whose story deeply inspires me, once said, “If the devil can't make you sin, he will make you busy”, and I 100% agree with her statement. Busyness in my life has been used as a distraction. A distraction from my family. A distraction from my friends. A distraction from Jesus, and a distraction from simple pleasures throughout my daily life. We will all be busy at some point in our lives. John Mark Comer, one of my favorite authors, sums this idea up like this: “ The problem isn't when you have a lot to do; its when you have too much to do and the only way to keep the quota up is to hurry.” Being hurried takes away from special moments. Being hurried steals. Being hurried can make you numb to your feelings and others feelings. Being hurried increases anxiety and stress. Being hurried brings stress to friendships and relationships and doesn't leave any time, or room, for being patient.

When I realized that the words hurried, busy and stressed were more popular in my vocabulary than joyful, well rested and present, I knew I had to make some changes and let me tell you, it is not easy! Being hurried becomes a habit, and habits are hard to break. So, here are some ways that I have lowered my anxiety levels, released stress and have become more present. I found that I have control over my choices in life, and that being busy and repetition is not going to be the final say.

1. Slow Down!

Create routines that make you slow down and be present. Because we live in a futuristic, fast culture, our minds have been trained to move fast and rarely take time to rest. Slowing down can sometimes be uncomfortable, yet so good for you! Slow down before a hard conversation and before you go to bed. As you get out of class and walk to lunch, slow down. I was surprised at how much slowing down benefited me and I am sure it will benefit you too!

2. Take Time with People you Love.

In our culture, deep friendships and relationships are rare. Take time to spend quality time with someone you care about. Leave room for deep conversations. Ask your friend to coffee, take your mom to lunch, take a walk with your sister or call your grandpa. Take time to invest in people who are important to you!

3. Simple Pleasures!

One of my favorite ways to treat myself or those around me is with a simple pleasure. It’s important to find your favorites! If you are dealing with someone frustrating or having a bad day, it’s important to have a healthy go to that will turn your day around. I call these “simple” pleasures because they aren’t extravagant and they don’t cost a lot of money. Some of my favorites are: going to bed early and waking up early, going on a run, getting an iced coffee, deep cleaning my room, having sandwiches in the sun, and clean sheets on my bed!

4. Spend time being quiet.

This one has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding for me. Solitude- the state or situation of being alone. Feeling peace and seclusion. Solitude is such an important key to life that not many people prioritize. Whether you are a people person, an introvert or an extrovert everyone needs some quiet time to think, reflect, decompress and breathe. In my opinion, learning how to listen and be still is one of the best life skills to learn. In the stillness and quiet, Jesus speaks. In the stillness and quiet, creative thoughts and ideas come. In the stillness and quiet, no matter if its five minutes or an hour, you can find healing, rest, a renewed mind and outlook.

5. Be Present with the Lord.

Take the time to be present with Jesus, because He will give the ultimate rest you so desperately need. Matthew 11:28-29 says: “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 at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.

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Jesus invites us to bring our worry, anxious thoughts, busy lives and burdens to Him and He promises to give us rest. This is truly the most special gift!

-Isabella