Taking a Nap is Spiritual
I used to think of spiritual growth as something completely separate from physical care. Quiet time with God? Spiritual. Taking a nap? Just practical. But I've learned something interesting from my own burnout story – this division isn't as clear as we think.
Remember that moment when Elijah was so exhausted he just wanted to give up? God's first response wasn't a Bible study or a prayer retreat. Instead, He sent an angel with food and told Elijah to rest. Twice. It's fascinating how God's first prescription for His burned-out prophet was simply to eat and sleep.
This hit home for me recently when I was pushing through another exhausting week. I was trying to be "spiritual" by powering through my responsibilities, ignoring my body's signals that something wasn't right. Sleeping late to work on extra projects, one more meeting for the day – you know the drill. I thought I was being dedicated, but really, I was forgetting something fundamental: God created us as whole beings.
When we neglect our physical needs, we're actually limiting our spiritual capacity. It's hard to hear God's gentle whisper when you're running on caffeine and adrenaline. It's difficult to show patience and kindness when you're physically depleted.
Taking care of your body isn't just self-care – it's stewardship. Getting enough sleep isn't lazy; it's listening to the rhythms God designed. Eating well isn't just about health; it's about honoring the body God gave you. And sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.
Maybe it's time we stopped seeing physical care as separate from spiritual growth and started seeing it as essential to it.