The other night I began writing about the importance of taking some time out and just relaxing. Getting alone and spending some time in solitude. It is important for us to take this time so that we can get away from the stress of life and reinvigerate ourselves. Tonight I want to look at some of the benefits that we can gain from doing this. These benefits are both internal and external in nature. It is an all around good thing for us.
First I see that it is something that can bring a sense of calm or peace into our lives. Lets face it, things get hectic and we can get drained. We need some time where we can step back and take a look at our whole life and examine all that is going on at that moment. We can look and find some of the good things that are happening and not just focus on the bad. We can notice our families and see all the joy they bring to our lives. We can look back and see how far we have come despite the challenges we have faced in the past. God is always there waiting for us to come to him so that he can give us this peace and rest. This is a peace that continues despite the things that go on around us.
Second I see that it is a good time for us to get refocused on life. Sometimes things get crazy and we get focused on the wrong things. Maybe we are spending too much time at work. Maybe we are spending too much time on the internet. Maybe we are spending too much time on a hobby. In all these things we are neglecting our families. We need to refocus and get things in proper perspective. God set things in order of importance. He is first, our family is next and then everything else comes after that in it’s proper order. Jesus said in Matt. 16:26, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” The answer of course was nothing. No amount of goods or knowledge can be worth our eternity in heaven.
Third I see that as we take this time of solitude and bring a sense of calm and peace into our lives and as we refocus our lives we can handle the issues better. It may be tensions at work. Maybe your kids are going through a rough phase. Maybe there are some money issues that you have. Or maybe some other relationships. Whatever the issue, we will be able to better handle it if we will step back and take some time out. If we don’t first take care of ourselves and our relationship with God then we will not be successful at the other areas of our life.
Thanks for joining me,
Gary Kauffman
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