Get A Little R&r, Not A Tombstone With Rip

Get A Little R&r, Not A Tombstone With Rip

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you. Psalm 42:5-6

Three chemical systems in the human brain—serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine—help us stay balanced emotionally. God created our bodies to have checks and balances, as well as backup systems to keep us healthy emotionally and physically. However, we were not created for a broken world. We were made to live in paradise. So there are times when our environment seems to overwhelm even our backup systems.

At times it can seem as if the world is spinning out of control. The days rush by, and the more we do, the more we feel we must do. We never seem to get enough rest. I think the rat race is especially bad in the United States, where the American Dream has become more of a nightmare. Depression affects more than one-third of the population to the degree that they will need outside help at some point.

There is no shame in needing help. And there is no shame in stepping aside to take care of yourself. I tell my patients the same thing I tell myself: Make time to recover from the battle. We all need to get some R&R (rest and relaxation), or we’ll end up with an RIP sign over our resting place.

God knows we occasionally need a break from the world. That’s why he wants us to rest in him. He wants us to sing songs from happy and hopeful hearts. The writer of Psalm 42 asks many of the same questions we ask; but ultimately he knows that his hope is in God. At night when he is discouraged, he sings songs of prayer and praise. This ancient practice is the same thing that will help us live happy, balanced lives even when we have a chemical imbalance.

Commit to getting out of life’s rut and seek others to hold you accountable. Restoring your soul might be as easy as sitting quietly and enjoying the simple things in life.

TODAY’S RX

Sadness is commonplace, but you don’t have to live there. You are not alone. Help is available. Step outside yourself to find someone who can help.

God, reveal to me moments in my day when I can take time to be quiet and rest in you. Place on my heart a desire to be in your Word, and help me to find my hope and joy in you.