Life is busy.
From the moment we wake up, there’s always something that needs to be done.
Work, school, family responsibilities, social events—the list never seems to end.
Many people feel guilty about resting, as if slowing down means they aren’t doing enough.
But what if rest isn’t a waste of time?
What if rest is actually something God wants for us?
The Bible has a lot to say about rest, and it’s not just about sleep or taking a break.
God designed rest to be a part of our lives, and when we ignore it, we miss out on something important.
Let’s take a deeper look at what Scripture says about rest and why it matters.
God Rested and Set the Example
The very first chapter of the Bible tells us something interesting—God rested.
Genesis 2:2-3 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. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Think about that for a second.
God, the Creator of the universe, took time to rest.
Was He tired?
Of course not.
God doesn’t grow weary like we do.
But He chose to rest to set an example for us.
Rest was part of His design for the world.
If rest was important enough for God to take a day for it, how much more should we?
Ignoring rest isn’t just a bad habit—it’s going against the way God created us to live.
The Command to Observe the Sabbath
Rest wasn’t just something God did; it was something He commanded His people to do.
In Exodus 20:8-10, God told the Israelites, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work.”
The Sabbath was meant to be a day of complete rest.
No working, no running around, just time to stop and focus on God.
But why?
God knew that people needed rest—not just for their bodies, but for their souls.
The Sabbath wasn’t a burden.
It was a gift.
It reminded people that they weren’t slaves to their work, and that their worth wasn’t tied to how much they accomplished.
Even today, taking a Sabbath rest is still important.
We live in a world that values busyness, but God values peace.
Jesus Invites Us to Rest
In the New Testament, Jesus also talked about rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus wasn’t just talking about physical rest.
He was talking about a deeper rest—a rest for the soul.
So many people carry heavy burdens.
Stress, fear, guilt, and worry can weigh us down.
But Jesus offers peace.
He doesn’t want us to be overwhelmed by life.
He invites us to lay our burdens down and trust Him.
True rest isn’t just about taking a nap.
It’s about giving our worries to God and letting Him carry the weight.
Rest Is an Act of Trust
One of the hardest things about resting is that it requires trust.
Many people feel like they can’t afford to take a break.
There’s too much to do.
If they stop working, everything will fall apart.
But rest is a way of saying, “God, I trust You.”
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Being still doesn’t come naturally to most people.
We like to be in control, to stay busy, to keep pushing forward.
But God calls us to stop.
To rest.
To remember that He is in charge.
When we rest, we are reminded that the world doesn’t run on our effort alone.
God is the one holding everything together, and He will take care of us.
The Dangers of Ignoring Rest
What happens when we ignore God’s command to rest?
Burnout.
Exhaustion.
Frustration.
Even Jesus, who had the most important mission in history, took time to rest.
In Mark 6:31, He told His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Jesus knew that constant work without rest leads to weakness.
When we don’t rest, we don’t function properly.
Our minds get tired.
Our emotions become unstable.
Our relationships suffer.
Rest isn’t just a suggestion—it’s necessary.
Ignoring rest doesn’t make us stronger.
It makes us weaker.
Finding Balance Between Work and Rest
Work is important.
God calls us to be diligent and to do our work well.
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
But work should never replace rest.
Finding balance is key.
Some people work too much, never stopping to recharge.
Others avoid work altogether, using rest as an excuse to be lazy.
Neither extreme is good.
The Bible teaches that both work and rest have their place.
Rest isn’t about doing nothing.
It’s about taking time to refocus, refresh, and reconnect with God.
When we rest the right way, we return to work with new energy and purpose.
Resting in God’s Presence
One of the best ways to rest is to spend time with God.
Psalm 23:2-3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
Spending time with God is the ultimate way to recharge.
Prayer, worship, and reading Scripture help us find peace in the middle of life’s chaos.
Sometimes, resting in God’s presence means sitting in silence, letting His peace fill our hearts.
Other times, it means meditating on His promises, reminding ourselves that He is in control.
Resting in God isn’t just something we do on Sundays.
It’s something we can do every day.
No matter how busy life gets, we can always find peace in Him.
Rest Prepares Us for What’s Ahead
Rest isn’t just about recovering from the past—it’s about preparing for the future.
When Elijah was overwhelmed and exhausted, God didn’t give him a lecture.
He gave him food and let him rest.
Then, after he was restored, God sent him on his next mission.
You can read about it in 1 Kings 19.
Rest isn’t a sign of weakness.
It’s a way to regain strength for what’s ahead.
Without rest, we can’t do what God has called us to do.
Resting well today helps us serve better tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Rest is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
God designed us to rest, commanded us to rest, and invites us to rest in Him.
Ignoring rest leads to exhaustion, but embracing rest brings renewal.
True rest isn’t just about sleep.
It’s about trusting God, letting go of our worries, and finding peace in His presence.
If you’ve been running on empty, maybe it’s time to slow down.
To pause.
To rest.
God is waiting, ready to give you the peace your soul needs.