I. Importance: Rest is an absolutely essential to life, and to physical and mental efficiency.

Mk. 6:21: - Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while.

Ex. 20:8: - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

In just one day our heart beats 100,000 times, our blood runs through 17 million miles of arteries, veins, capillaries. We speak about 4,000 words, breathe 20,000 times, move major muscles 750 times, and operate 14 billion brain cells. Human beings need rest.

True rest brings restoration, the “building up” of that which has been used. Sleep is an important aspect of rest, for it is during sleep that many of the body’s functions are recharged. Rest includes more than sleep. It is also relaxation, a change in activities, to get away from the pressures of work or problems – maybe a walk in the fresh air, a game of tennis, something to clear the mind, relax the muscles. Today’s society is full of fatigued individuals, fighting, pushing, and striving to keep up with the human race. We all need to take time out to rest and fight off this chronic fatigue.

Studies show that after a good night’s sleep our brain rhythms function best. Understanding, insight, and comprehension of deep, complicated matters are more successfully dealth with in the morning than late in the day.

Growth hormone is important in improving the size, quality, and efficiency of the brain. It increases the transport of amino acids from the blood to the brain, which enables the nerve cells to make learning permanent and useful. Most of the growth hormone is most produced during deep, peaceful “pre-midnight” sleep.

Another important hormone is cortisol. Its production time is from midnight to early morning.

Cortisol plays a large role in helping us deal with the stressors of each day, reducing inflammation and fatigue. When people go to bed late, they limit the body’s ability to repair the wear and tear of the day and lessen the energy and vitality of tomorrow.

II. The Physiology of Rest:

The human body is so arranged that every organ has its time for rest and recuperation.

During sleep our muscles relax and our nervous system is relieved of strain imposed upon it by the rigors to day-to-day living. This is the time when the body’s repair and renewal program is at its peak.

Sleep research has shown that sleep is not just one level of unconsciousness; it actually consists of two distinct types of sleep:

1. Stage sleep: also called the non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM).

2. Dream Sleep: referred to as rapid eye movement sleep (REM).

These 2 stages occur in regular cyclic pattern characterized by variations in the depth of sleep and variations in brain waves, eye movement, and muscle tone.

Intensity of sleep is deepest at the second to third hour, then progressively lightens until waking.

During sleep, consciousness is lost; the heart-rate slows, the blood-pressure drops;

Respiration slows and deepens. The duration of sleep varies with age.At the age of 1 month, an infant may sleep 21 hours out of 24.

At the age of 6-8 years, 12 hours of sleep is average.

At 13 to 15 years, 9 hours and

For adults, 7-8 hours

Elderly people may require 8 hours plus.

The quality of sleep is more important than duration.

Restful sleep is promoted by,

A quiet, dark, well-ventilated room

An empty stomach, and moderate physical fatigue

A neutral, or warm bath is sedative, in the evening

Massage to the back is sedative (and noon “siesta: refreshing)

Sleeplessness (insomnia) may be caused by:

Pain, noise, a late meal, irregularity in habits of life;

Stimulating drugs; cold feet; or excessive fatigue

Tension, worry, and nervousness; Inability to relax

Results of Loss of Sleep:

Fatigue; Impaired accuracy, Impaired speed; and less Perseverance

Irritability, Nervousness; faulty memory

Hazards of sleeping-pills: (Depression of the Brain)

(a “drugged” sleep is less refreshing)

The “hangover”

Tolerance Dependence Habit Addiction (Tranquilizers).

If selfish plans and projects rob of sleep, and in consequence the mental and physical strength is lessened, you sin against your own soul and against God. Your discernment is blunted, and sacred things are placed upon a level with the common. {3T 242.1}

You are God's workmanship, and under a full sense of your accountability to God you are to treat yourself aright. Give yourself proper time to sleep. They who sleep give nature time to build up and repair the weary waste of the organism. . . . {MM 80.3}

III. Rest for the System

A. Rest for the Heart: After each beat, the heart rests for a longer period than was required for contraction.

In a “ conditioning” program of regular, sustained, exercise, although the heart-rate is increased during the exercise, the resting heart-rate is gradually reduced as the efficiency of the heart is increased. Not rarely, the resting heart rate of a trained athlete will be in the low forties, or even in the thirties. In a training program as the heart pump becomes more efficient, more blood is pumped per beat. With a slower resting rate, there is a longer resting period, and greater efficiency. A drop in the resting heart rate of only ten beats per minute (from 70 -90 / min) means a saving of over 14,000 beats per day.

B. Rest for the Stomach: If a person retires when his stomach is empty, sleep is more refreshing than would be the case if he retired soon after the evening meal.

Three hours should elapse after the evening meal, before retiring, in order to promote healthful action of the alimentary tract. Likewise, five hours should elapse between meals, to allow the stomach proper time for rest. In treating ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, REST is an important factor to promote healing.

The stomach, when we lie down to rest, should have its work all done, that it may enjoy rest, as well as other portions of the body. The work of digestion should not be carried on throughany period of the sleeping hours. After the stomach, which has been overtaxed, has performed its task, it becomes exhausted, which causes faintness. . . . The stomach becomes weary by being kept constantly at work. . . . Having no time for rest, the digestive organs become enfeebled, hence the sense of "goneness," and desire for frequent eating. . . . The stomach must have its regular periods for labor and rest.--H. to L., Chap. I, p. 56. {HL 162.3}

C. Mental Rest:

a. Importance: Cerebral Physiology:

Phil. 2:5: - “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”

Ms. 24, 1900: - “The brain is the organ and the instrument of the mind, and controls the whole body. In order for the other parts of the system to be healthy, the brain must be healthy. And in order for the brain to be healthy, the blood must be pure. If by correct habits of eating and drinking the blood is kept pure, the brain will be properly nourished.”

The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death. {MH 241.1}

Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination.

Many are lifelong invalids who might be well if they only thought so. Many imagine that every slight exposure will cause illness, and the evil effect is produced because it is expected. Many die from disease the cause of which is wholly imaginary. {MH 241.2}

Abiding peace, true rest of spirit, has but one Source. It was of this that Christ spoke when He said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." John 14:27. This peace is not something that He gives apart from Himself. It is in Christ, and we can receive it only by receiving Him. {MH 247.1}

This peace is not something He gives apart from Himself. It is in Christ, and not we receive it only by receiving Him.

The love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part--the brain, the heart, the nerves--it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy,--joy in the Holy Spirit,--health-giving, life-giving joy. {MH 115.3}

b. Perceptions: Special Senses

Man, God’s crowning work of creation, is differentiated from the other animal life mainly by the brain. By his power of sight? Of hearing? Smell? Balance? No, - these are shared by lower animals, which in some cases, have keener powers than has man.

That portion of the brain which specifically characterizes man apart from the rest of the animal creation, is the FRONTAL LOBE of the brain, with its faculties of reason, judgment, choice, decision, will power and self-control. These frontal-lobe functions determine our relation to man, and our relation to God. This is the Battleground, on which is waged the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind should not be left to wander at random upon every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest. {PP 460.2}

You will have to become a faithful sentinel over your eyes, ears, and all your senses if you would control your mind and prevent vain and corrupt thoughts from staining your soul. The power of grace alone can accomplish this most desirable work. You are weak in this direction. {2T 561.1}

"Girding up the loins of your mind," says the apostle Peter, "Be sober, . . . not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in . . . your ignorance: but like as He which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living." 1 Peter 1:13-15, R.V. Says Paul, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8. This will require earnest prayer and unceasing watchfulness. We must be aided by the abiding influence of the Holy Spirit, which will attract the mind upward, and habituate it to dwell on pure and holy things.

And we must give diligent study to the word of God. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word." "Thy word," says the psalmist, "have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:9, 11. {PP 460.2}

Isaiah 33:15-17: - He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that… shutteth his eye from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty.

c. Reason, Discernment, Judgment:

Romans 12:1: - “That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

God expects men to use the intellect He has given them. He expects them to use every reasoning power for Him. They are to give the conscience the place of supremacy that has been assigned to it. The mental and physical powers, with the affections, are to be so cultivated that they can reach the highest efficiency.--Review and Herald, Nov. 6, 1900. {Te 143.4}

d. Believe: - Jn. 20:30-31; Heb. 11:1, 6; Jn. 29:25-29; Jn 6:40; 2Chron. 20:20; Mat. 13:55-58. (SC 73; 50; 3T 258; 5T 69.

e. Feelings: - EW 72; MH 249, 251; CG 95, 193

f. Conscience: - 4T 59; MB 93; DA 487; 4T 35-6; MH 319;OHC 143; EV 542; 4T 62; 2T 90-1; Te 78-90; CDF 243; 2T 512; 2T 327; MH 246-7.

g. Will: - MH 176; CT 222; 5T 513; MYP 151; GC 7; MH 246; DA 466; MB 52; 8T 292; MB 51; 4T 84; MH 242; MM 116, 101; 5T 512; Jn. 6:38; DA 208; MB 96, 94

h. Choice, Decision: - Deut. 30:15; Josh. 1:7; MH 176, 175; 3T 500; 3T 344, 497-8

i. Obedience: - DA 24; ML 163; COL 311-2;PP 634; 4T 148; DA 523; GC 541-3

Restoration requires rest because sleep allows the body to renew itself. Many types of rest are important for health, but the sweetest rest follows labor. “Early to bed and early to rise” is a vital NEWSTART principle, and a healthy lifestyle makes this principle easier to maintain.