Filling the other tanks
In my last post, I introduced the metaphor of four energy tanks or reservoirs that we all have. Each of these tanks need to be refilled on a regular basis. Last time I focused on what I did to replenish my spiritual reservoir during sabbatical. However, it is crucial to recognize there is a serious danger of neglecting the other three tanks. “As Christians, our default is to focus on the spiritual tank. Often, we think, ‘Well, if I just pray a little, I’ll get over this.’ . . . but there are three other tanks that also have to be refilled—a physical tank, an emotional tank, and a mental tank.” [1] Purposeful, proactive, and intentional actions are required to refill each tank.
The overlooked health essential: REST
When we talk about physical health the conversation usually majors on the twin pillars of diet and exercise, “Yet there is a third element to physical well-being that goes largely overlooked: rest.” Robert Morris rightly insists, “ There is simply no way to recharge your physical tank without rest.” [2] Although rest is far more than just how we sleep, chronically poor sleep is associated with weight gain, depression, increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, decreased immune function, and higher levels of inflammation.[3]
In her book, Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith offers a simple self-test that includes six signs that indicate we are suffering a rest deficit caused by an empty PHYSICAL TANK:
- You lack the energy needed to do all of the physical tasks on your to-do list.
- You feel tired but have difficulty falling asleep.
- You have a weak immune system with frequent colds and illnesses.
- You experience frequent muscle pain and soreness.
- You depend on substances to give you more energy (caffeine, energy bars, sugar).
- You depend on substances to give you more rest (alcohol, pills, comfort foods). [4]
Looking back, virtually all of these indicators of physical exhaustion were present in my life. I ran out of steam by early afternoon. I had a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. I woke up almost every day by 4:00 AM. I experienced a couple of health scares (one requiring hospitalization) and often had pain and cramps in my legs. At least four large cups of regular coffee were my daily norm, and unhealthy, carbohydrate-laden comfort food was an easy-to-find source of solace.
“Exactly the kind of weather you need”
Before we left for our sabbatical, I prayed for good weather. I was somewhat puzzled when I seemed to hear the Lord say, “You are going to have exactly the kind of weather you need.” My original plan called for us to make an early start, pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway, and spend a leisurely day driving the scenic skyline while admiring sunny, panoramic views. However, the parkway was shrouded in heavy fog, making the drive nerve wracking, and whenever the mists parted, the only view was grey, wintery, lifeless-looking barren trees. During our stay, we had hoped for warm, sunny, southern Virginia weather. Instead, it was cold, sometimes shockingly cold. One day we saw snow flurries. Some mornings there was frost on our car’s windshield. Therefore, it seemed clear. I needed to STAY PUT and experience PEACE, QUIET, and PHYSICAL REST.
Doing nothing with intentionality and expectancy
It is easy to feel guilty about being still, resting, and not getting things done. Even on sabbatical, stopping to rest doesn’t feel natural or come easy. “Resisting the need to hustle and bustle takes willpower.” [5] A pastor friend recently confided he was into his third week of sabbatical before he was finally able to rest. However, when you are completely exhausted and burned out RESTING AND DOING NOTHING is exactly what the doctor (Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith) prescribes. “The best next step is not trying to fix yourself by adding more activities to your already packed schedule. The best next step is rest and lots of it. . . . In the waiting and ceasing, your strength will be renewed” [6]
Restful practices
Here are a few of the simple things we did on sabbatical which helped me rest, refill, and restore my PHYSICAL tank. These may sound boring. However, REST was the objective, not exciting entertainment.
- Sitting in rocking chairs on the cottage porch. When the temperature warmed a bit, the cottage front porch offered scenic views of a stream-fed pond, brilliant blue skies, and puffy white clouds. “Life becomes more enjoyable when we soak in beauty and light.” [7] It was fun to watch the family of geese (including six recently-hatched goslings) that made the pond their personal playground. I found resting and rocking restorative. Sometimes we talked. Sometimes we read. Sometimes we listened to music, but much of the time was spent rocking in companionable silence while soaking in the fresh air and restorative beauty of nature.
- Evening Hallmark movies with Carolyn: When it got too cool to stay outside, Carolyn and I came inside. I have a great wife. She is sharper, better-looking, and smarter than me. She has always loved me, supported me, and been by my side through thick and thin times. It was comforting and restful just to sit with my arm around Carolyn while watching wholesome (albeit predictable) romantic movies on the Hallmark channel.
- Made-from-scratch, quiet, homecooked meals: Most of the time, we didn’t dine out. Many restaurants were not open for in-person dining due to Covid and/or staff shortages. We both enjoy cooking and we find our made-from-scratch recipes (with fresh ingredients) healthier and much tastier than most restaurant food. Carolyn’s “French Chicken” and my version of “Zuppa Toscana” and “Italian Wings” were a few of the favorite dishes we prepared and enjoyed.
- Brief afternoon and evening outings: Intentionally, we spent very little time in the car and were only away from our cottage for a few hours at a time. Many local attractions were closed due to Covid-19 and/or due to the fact the tourist season had yet to arrive. So here are a few of the outings we took:
- Strolling downtown Galax, VA and shopping the Marketplace antique mall
- Lunch and shopping “Mayberry on Main Street” in nearby Mt. Airy, NC, actor Andy Griffith’s home town
- Dining at the Floyd Country Store Café and taking in their outdoor “Friday Night Bluegrass Jamboree”
- Taking a walk. One sunny afternoon we got out and walked around the fresh water pond and explored part of the six-acres of property around the cottage. This is considered “active rest” physically speaking. “The most effective forms of active physical rest include dynamic stretching, breathing exercises, soaking baths, prayer walks, and stretching poses.” [8]
The promise of rest
One of the promises God spoke into my heart during our sabbatical was the promise of rest and renewal from Matthew 11:28-30. Here is The Passion Translation version:
Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life For I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require will be pleasant and easy to bear.
Our brief sabbatical was not the cure-all for all of our exhaustion. However, we were able to return much better rested and ready to resume life and ministry.
Bibliography
Dalton-Smith, Dr. Saundra. Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. FaithWords Publishing, New York. 2017. Kindle edition.
Morris, Robert. Take the Day Off: Receiving God’s Gift of Rest. FaithWords Publishing, Nashville. 2019. Kindle edition.
Footnotes
[1] Morris, Robert. Take the Day Off (p. 55). FaithWords. Kindle edition.
[2] Morris, Robert. Take the Day Off (p. 58). FaithWords. Kindle edition.
[3] Morris, Robert. Take the Day Off (p. 58). FaithWords. Kindle edition.
[4] Dalton-Smith, Dr. Saundra. Sacred Rest (p. 40). FaithWords. Kindle edition.
[5] Dalton-Smith, Dr. Saundra. Sacred Rest (p. 169). FaithWords. Kindle edition.
[6] Dalton-Smith, Dr. Saundra. Sacred Rest (p. 169). FaithWords. Kindle edition.=
[7] Dalton-Smith, Dr. Saundra. Sacred Rest (p. 95). FaithWords. Kindle edition.
[8] Dalton-Smith, Dr. Saundra. Sacred Rest(pp. 36-37). FaithWords. Kindle edition.