Finding soul rest can be infrequent and fleeting. Life gets busy, stressful and full of distractions. We think about vacations and days of relaxing, but is it working? Is stress reduced, anxiety diminished? Is there a sense of overall peace?

These last few months have been very stressful at work. I have been heading up a large project with more details than I can keep track of. There were a couple of weeks where my anxiety level was peaked, adrenaline was pumping and my adrenals were fatigued. It was a wakeup call on my self care.

My exercise was still on track. Sleep needed to be dialed in a little better. My diet needed more vegetables. Therapy continued and a new supplement was added to quiet a racing brain. Declaring Saturday’s as a no work zone-as much as possible- gave my body rest. I knew getting through this project meant self care had to come first. Where was my soul care, soul rest?

^28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG).

While all of those practices are important to overall wellbeing, making time for God had to be on the list. It should be on the top of the list. To be honest, exercise is at the top. It centers my whole being. Devotional time and worship also center my whole being and bring me rest. In fact, I have been craving worship music. It always leads me into the unforced rhythms of grace. Finding soul rest has been as critical as emotional rest and has moved back to the top of my list.

When life is stressful or you’re feeling anxious, do you seek soul rest? How is your self care? Where do you need to improve? Is you list in the right order? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.