Time to Recover
“Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” (Matthew 4:11)
One of the most complex characters in the Bible is David. David, little more than a child, slew Goliath. David becomes a close confidant with King Saul. Later, Saul becomes jealous and tries to kill David. Finally, David is restored and becomes king. While ruling the people, David succumbs to sexual temptation and not only sleeps with another man’s wife but has the woman’s husband placed in fatal danger. Nevertheless, David continues to restore the fortunes of God’s chosen people. These are just some of the highlights of his complex life. One of the primary characteristics of David’s life is his resilience.
CNBC’s Morgan Smith presented a story entitled, “The No. 1 habit that sets successful people apart from everyone else, say psychologists: It’s a ‘nonnegotiable,’” which acknowledges that “recovery” is the number one habit. We understand that recovery is necessary for an athlete, but fewer people recognize that recovery is vital in every area of endeavor. Weightlifters, for example, need time for their muscles to recover. Resilience in every area of life requires physical, mental, and spiritual recovery. Even Jesus, the Son of God, needed time to heal spiritually. After Jesus faced the devil’s temptations in the wilderness, he did not just jump up and perform miracles. Instead, Matthew 4:11 confirms, “Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.”
If Jesus requires time for recovery, what makes you think you can run hard mentally and spiritually without getting tired? If you want to lead a successful life, you must be resilient, which requires you to value time for recovery. Recovery includes rest, which contemporary society is loath to practice. Recovery includes prayer and meditation to slow the mind and make room for the Holy Spirit’s healing touch. Recovery provides fun and laughter. If our lives are dried up by endless obligation, our souls become as hard as Dicken’s Scrooge. Find a dog, a child, or a young-at-heart friend and play!
As our world becomes more complex, resilience and recovery will become more critical. These are skills that need to be valued, learned, and practiced. Just like you cannot pick up a violin and play like a virtuoso, taking time for recovery will initially feel uncomfortable. Yet, physical, emotional, and spiritual life is necessary to reflect God’s joy and provide lifelong productivity. Rest, prayer, and play are not moments of laziness but a vital part of productivity. So, get to work, heal, and recover!