8 Ways to Slow Down and Practice Rest this Winter

For the parts of the world which have cold winters, this season is a time of quietness and darkness. Nature sleeps as trees stand bare and the bulbs of flowers and seeds of plants lay dormant under the blanket of earth and snow. Many animals enter a period of hibernation.  

The days are shorter, reducing the variety of daytime. Yet, for a lot of us, our lives proceed as normal with hectic schedules, countless connection to devices, and relentless goals to be productive and complete tasks. We ignore the cycle of God’s creation – of nature’s example of the necessity to rest.  

Is it any wonder, then, why numerous us are burned out? Modern culture encourages an attitude that is concentrated on accomplishing and being preoccupied with a tool. But the Lord didn’t design us to all the time work or live behind a screen. He incorporated rest into His design, as shown by His decision to stop and admire all He had made throughout the six days of creation (Genesis 2:2-3). And our week is patterned after creation – completing work (which is sweet to do) but in addition resting (Exodus 20:Sep 11).  

Winter is a season that invites us to do exactly that: to pause from our frenzied flurry of tasks and find refreshment within the Lord and His blessings. The trees and seeds, animals, and weather all tell us it’s so. Perhaps we will learn from their examples and have interaction in a less hurried lifestyle. To decelerate and find renewed hope and purpose in Christ.  

As it’s, winter must pass before the primary blooms of spring emerge. We will find that our lives are fuller and more satisfying when selecting to rest because the Lord intended.  

Consider the next eight ideas to decelerate and rest this season. Establishing such habits and rhythms now may also help us engage more meaningfully with the spiritual disciplines of sabbath and rest all year long.   

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