4 - REST
"I know from the testimonies given me from time to
time for brain workers, that sleep is worth far more
before than after midnight. Two hours' good sleep
before twelve o'clock is worth more than four hours
after twelve o'clock. . . ."
Manuscript Releases, volume 7, p. 224. Likewise 1
hour of sleep before midnight is equivalent to
2 hours of sleep after midnight.
"Give yourself proper time to sleep. They who sleep
give nature time to build up and repair the weary
waste of the organs." (Ellen White).
"The number of hours of sleep generally needed varies with circumstances The average is seven to nine. In general one should sleep when sleepy and not try to sleep more. Growing children require more sleep than grown-ups." (Ellen White).
"Ones best sleep is with the stomach practically empty. It is true that food puts one to sleep at first, by diverting blood from the head; but it disturbs sleep later. Water, unless it induces bladder-action during the night, or even fruit, may be taken without injury before retiring. If one goes to bed with an empty stomach, he can often get along well with six or seen hours sleep, but if he goes to bed soon after a hearty meal, he usually needs from eight to ten hours sleep...It has already been pointed out that sleeping outdoors is more restful than sleeping indoors." How to Live, pg. 120-121. (Ellen White).
During a day of work and activity, toxins build up in our system which cannot immediately be thrown off. These toxins product fatigue—that well-known weariness at the end of the day. Sleep gives the body time to expel wastes and to make repairs.
When the body is deprived of sleep, it is unable to rebuild and recharge itself adequately. There is an increase in irritability, while creativity, concentration, and efficiency suffer. Sleep deprivation impairs judgment, causing values and priorities to change. Continued loss of sleep can result in exhaustion, depression, delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. Losing as little three hours of sleep in a single night can cut the effectiveness of your immune system in half.
"The stomach, when we lie down to rest, should have its work done, that it may enjoy rest, as well as other portions of the body. The work of digestion should not be carried on through any period of the sleeping hours."—Ellen G. White, Healthful Living, p. 84
"A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might....Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection of His character.."—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 70
Rest between Meals
“Regularity in eating should be carefully observed. Nothing should be eaten
between meals, any confectionery, nuts, fruits, or food of any kind. Irregularity in
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eating destroys the healthful tone of the digestive organs.” Ibid p384.
“The stomach must have careful attention. It must not be kept in continual operation.” Unpublished Testimony Aug 30. 1906.
Hours between Meals
“At least five or six hours should intervene between meals.” The Ministry of Healing p364.
