Physical rest is crucial to our overall health and productivity. Getting enough sleep is something we, in the modern world, struggle to do. We have little time to slow down. We rush to work, we rush home, we veg in front of a screen. If watching sports or politics gets us worked up, then we try to rush to sleep. One of my favorite things right now is going to bed early with my wife. We can just talk about our day for a few minutes before she goes to sleep and then I can pray, think, and slowly drift off to sleep. Going to bed early means I can get up early, while the house is quiet, to read, pray, and just enjoy the silence. This change in my schedule not only lets me get enough sleep but better sleep.

The bookends of quiet time before bed and rising in the morning also help my emotional and mental health. It allows me to process my day or prepare for the upcoming day. It gives me the opportunity to sit back and look at life. I can read a history book or biography to help me gain perspective. They remind me of each generation’s difficulties and God’s Providence. Most important, it ensures my devotional time does not get rushed or even swallowed up by the demands of the day.