Everyone knows what it feels like to be tired.
Some days, it’s a physical exhaustion from work, chores, or lack of sleep.
Other times, it’s a deeper weariness—the kind that settles in your soul.
Life’s demands can drain our energy, leaving us feeling empty and overwhelmed.
When exhaustion hits, it’s easy to wonder if God understands or if He even cares.
The good news is that the Bible has a lot to say about being tired.
From physical fatigue to spiritual burnout, God offers wisdom, encouragement, and strength for those who feel weary.
Let’s explore what Scripture teaches about exhaustion and how we can find rest in God.
Even the Strongest People in the Bible Got Tired
Feeling tired is not a sign of weakness.
Some of the greatest heroes of the Bible experienced exhaustion.
Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, but at one point, he felt so overwhelmed that he told God, “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me” (Numbers 11:14).
Elijah, a mighty prophet, performed miracles and stood boldly for God, but after a long battle with false prophets, he became so exhausted that he wanted to give up.
In 1 Kings 19:4, he sat under a tree and prayed, “I have had enough, Lord.
Take my life.”
Even Jesus, the Son of God, experienced physical exhaustion.
John 4:6 tells us that Jesus was “tired from the journey” and sat down by a well to rest.
If Moses, Elijah, and Jesus Himself felt tired at times, then we shouldn’t be surprised when we feel the same way.
The Bible acknowledges that exhaustion is a real part of life, but it also offers hope for how to deal with it.
God Invites the Weary to Find Rest in Him
When life becomes overwhelming, God doesn’t tell us to push through on our own.
Instead, He invites us to come to Him for rest.
One of the most comforting verses in the Bible is Matthew 11:28, where Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus isn’t just talking about physical rest—He’s offering peace for our souls.
Many people try to deal with exhaustion by sleeping more, taking vacations, or distracting themselves with entertainment.
While those things can help, they don’t provide true rest.
Real rest comes from being in God’s presence and trusting Him with our burdens.
Psalm 62:1 says, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.”
When we feel drained, we need to turn to the One who can refresh us from the inside out.
The Bible Encourages Rest, Not Burnout
In today’s world, busyness is often seen as a sign of success.
People pride themselves on packed schedules, late nights, and constant productivity.
But the Bible takes a different approach.
God created rest, and He commands us to take it seriously.
In Exodus 20:8-10, He tells His people to set aside one day each week as a Sabbath—a day of rest and worship.
Even God Himself rested after creating the world.
Genesis 2:2 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”
If the Creator of the universe took time to rest, shouldn’t we?
Ignoring rest leads to burnout, stress, and spiritual dryness.
God designed us to have rhythms of work and rest.
When we follow His design, we find renewed strength and energy for the things He calls us to do.
Strength Comes from God, Not Ourselves
One of the biggest reasons people feel exhausted is because they try to rely on their own strength.
They take on too much, thinking they have to do everything on their own.
But the Bible reminds us that true strength comes from God, not from ourselves.
Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
This means that when we feel like we can’t go on, God provides the strength we need.
Isaiah 40:31 goes even further, saying, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
When we put our trust in God instead of our own efforts, He renews us.
He lifts us up, helping us press forward even when we feel like giving up.
Jesus Showed the Importance of Rest
Jesus had the most important mission of all—saving the world.
Yet, He still took time to rest.
Mark 6:31 says, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
Jesus understood that constant work without rest is not sustainable.
He often withdrew to quiet places to pray and be refreshed.
Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
If Jesus, the Son of God, needed moments of rest and renewal, then we definitely do.
He set an example for us to follow—taking time to step away from the busyness of life and connect with God.
God’s Presence Brings Peace in Exhaustion
Sometimes, exhaustion isn’t just about lack of sleep—it’s about feeling drained emotionally and spiritually.
Life’s struggles can leave us feeling empty, tired, and worn out.
But the Bible assures us that God’s presence brings peace, even in the middle of our exhaustion.
Psalm 23:1-3 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
God knows exactly what we need to be restored.
He leads us to places of rest and peace, guiding us when we don’t know the way.
In moments of deep exhaustion, turning to God in prayer, worship, and Scripture can bring a renewal that no amount of sleep ever could.
Trusting God Lifts the Weight Off Our Shoulders
Many times, the reason we feel so exhausted is because we are carrying burdens we were never meant to bear.
We stress over things outside of our control, worrying about the future, finances, relationships, and responsibilities.
But God calls us to trust Him instead of carrying everything ourselves.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
When we surrender our worries to God, we release the weight that wears us down.
Instead of trying to figure everything out, we trust that God is in control.
This doesn’t mean we stop working or making decisions—it means we rely on His wisdom instead of our own.
And when we do, we find a deep sense of peace and rest.
Rest is a Gift, Not a Sign of Weakness
Some people feel guilty for resting.
They believe that taking a break means they are lazy or unproductive.
But the Bible teaches that rest is not a weakness—it’s a gift from God.
Psalm 127:2 says, “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
God does not want us to live in a constant state of exhaustion.
He created rest as a blessing, something that refreshes and restores us.
When we take time to rest—whether that means getting enough sleep, stepping away from work, or simply spending quiet time with God—we are honoring the way He designed us.
Final Thoughts
The Bible is clear—God does not expect us to carry the weight of the world on our own.
When we feel tired, He invites us to come to Him for rest.
He renews our strength, lifts our burdens, and leads us to places of peace.
Even the strongest people in the Bible felt exhausted at times, but God never left them alone.
He won’t leave you alone either.
So if you are feeling weary, don’t push yourself beyond your limits.
Take time to rest, trust in God’s strength, and allow Him to refresh your soul.
True rest is not just about sleep—it’s about finding peace in the presence of God.