Time Out
By Lovietta Lyn Campbell
Sabbath rest is a much needed time out that can enhance our mental well-being. Adults dealing with children can readily see the importance of giving children a time out when things seem to be spiraling out of control for them. When they become short – tempered, when they begin making poor choices, when they are sleepy and tired and frustrated, we send them to their time out space or tell them bluntly “take a time out,” but rarely is it clear to us as adults that we need a time out sometimes. Elijah one of my favorite Prophets is a good example of this.
In I Kings 17-19, Elijah engaged in a myriad of activities and suggested to King Ahab to refresh himself with food and drink while he returned to the summit of Mount Carmel to pray fervently for rain. Between the spiritual battle he ‘d just been through on Mount Carmel and the physical energy he used running 18 miles to Jezreel, the Bible says nothing about Elijah stopping to sleep, eat, or get a drink of water. He simply kept going.
The Prophet Elijah encouraged Ahab the King to sleep and eat before his long journey but he failed to follow his own recommendation. When we don’t rest we can become overwhelmed, weak and give in to faulty thinking. This is what happened to the Prophet Elijah so he was encouraged by an angel to sleep, to eat and to listen for the voice of God.
I encourage you to use what God has given us – Sabbath rest, take a Time – Out before the challenges of life overtake you. Feeling overwhelmed already? It’s never too late to take a Time –Out and start again.
Consider these three steps to enhance your overall wellbeing.
Rest your mind; relax and decompress, try mediating to let the troubles of the day melt away and guide you to peaceful sleep.
Rejuvenate your body; eat nourishing meals, drink plenty of water and exercise.
Re-Center your soul; spend time mediating on God’s word seeking guidance and direction from Him and praying for your needs and the needs of others.
Combining these steps will lead to re-igniting your overall wellbeing; enhancing your motivation and energy to complete the task before you, strengthening your body to endure the journey and fellowship with our Father to know which path to take to bring joy and peace to your life.
My word for you today is take a Time – Out!
Lovietta Lyn Campbell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who received her Master of Social Work degree from Valdosta State University.Ms. Campbell retired from New Horizons Behavioral Health a Community Mental Health Agency in 2019 as the Clinical Director. She is a licensed therapist and a Founding member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Sigma Lambda Chapter of Columbus Georgia.
