The benefits of rest

Sometimes, we all need to slow down and take a break. Recently, my disability reminded me of this the hard way – by causing a problem with a sore on my foot that became infected.

One of the downsides of my disability is that I don’t have a lot of feeling in my feet. This often causes me to have sores or other issues without being able to feel them, or know how bad they really are.

To my detriment, I’m also incredibly stubborn. I hate going to the doctor unless I absolutely have to. So when my mother dragged me to urgent care a few weeks ago, I was stunned to hear the doctor tell me how serious the issue with my foot actually was.

Finally seeing a doctor

He promptly informed me that the sore was infected; had I waited any longer to come in, I might have required an amputation. 

I was placed on antibiotics, and ordered to wrap my legs  and elevate the injured foot as much as possible.  (There’s also the problem of swelling in my legs and feet.).

I’m convinced this was partly a God thing, because I don’t rest well. I never really have. Lately, though, I’ve been so busy spinning my wheels on too many things at once. Setting up my author platform so I can finally get some traction, to planning trips both in and out of state, to worrying about my family. . .

Things get worse before they get better

And just when I’m starting to heal. . . two major things happen. 1. I scratch my wound (which I’ve been told to leave uncovered so it can get air and heal) on a desk end and open it up again. And 2. My trusty manual chair decides to finally bite the dust.

Add to that, my mental health isn’t the greatest right now with the lack of progress I’ve made, and the overall current state of my life, and I’m a mess. (If this were a letter and not a blog, believe me, the paper would be tear-stained.)

But I’m trying my best to let my mind be at ease, because I know I’m protected. I know it could be worse, and I’m so grateful it isn’t. I am currently sitting in a spare manual chair we have from when my dad was in the hospital in 2019.

I wonder if I just need a nap (no, seriously). There are times when rest can help us when we’re at our lowest point. God showed this to the prophet Elijah during one of his lowest points.

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 

-1 Kings 19:3-7 (New International Version)

At this point in his prophetic ministry, Elijah had a specific reason for wanting to die. He was being chased by a queen (Jezebel) who wanted to kill him in retaliation for killing the prophets of a false God and standing against her. But the thing that stands out to me most is what God allowed to happen.

He let Elijah’s body recover with food and rest— and then told him to keep going. Which tells me that rest is God ordained. Sometimes, it’s the best thing we can do.

Let’s talk: How does rest affect you in positive ways, especially if you struggle with mental or physical health?