Kindness Under Fire: How to Take the Perfect Nap

by Marilynn Chadwick

Religion has not always been kind to women. But women also seem bent on exhausting themselves. Today’s woman seems restless. I think St. Augustine could easily have been talking to us when he made this famous statement in his Confessions: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Religion may not have been easy on women. But Jesus has been supremely kind. That’s why I keep pointing out our enemy, the devil, as the real perpetrator of the war on women. Hurting women has been his game plan from the start. Jesus made a spectacle out of our foe and all his minions (Colossians 2:15). That’s why abiding in Christ—drawing our strength from him—must be our passion. Through Jesus, we can stand firm as women of valor, balancing the nurturer and warrior roles that make us strong and kind.

It’s also vitally important that we understand God’s true character. That He is our all-powerful warrior, protector, and defender. That he is infinitely kind, chesed. Teaching others about God’s kindness begins with teaching ourselves.

I have a friend who once took the time to spell out for me, in detail, how she had learned to take a really good nap. Over the years, she has fine-tuned her art of nap-taking, so I laughingly call her the “connoisseur of the perfect nap.” Whenever I talk about my friend’s nap method, people always seem eager for details. Now, this particular friend was a hard worker and very productive—a high-capacity leader and well-respected author. So I found myself eager to know her secret.

Here’s what she told me: First, set your alarm for one hour. Your shoes and socks must be off. Then you need to get all the way under your sheets—yes even if you made your bed perfectly that morning. Finally, get a good book. Start reading and let yourself fall asleep naturally. The alarm will awaken you, so you don’t have to worry about oversleeping. Voila! And there you have it. The perfect nap!

Taking a nap might seem trivial. But staying well-rested is not. I hope you see by now that adequate rest is a necessity, not a luxury. God did not create us to be machines, built to work seven days a week. Without rest, our mental and physical health will suffer. Without rest, our relationships suffer. And sometimes even our ability to love can grow cold.

Think about whether you are kind to yourself. Is it hard for you to receive God’s love? Are you exhausted? If so, Jesus wants you to find your rest in him. I encourage you to explore practical ways to rest your mind, your soul, and your body. This may mean spending more quiet time with him, reclaiming your Sabbath, or being intentional about your weekly day off. And sometimes it may be as simple as learning how to take a really good nap.

Our Kindness Under Fire series is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here for more inspiration or to order a copy of Woman of Valor.