Resting The Way God Intended

In a world that glorifies hustle, it’s easy to forget that God created rest—not just as a luxury, but as a rhythm of life. In this episode, we explore the biblical meaning of rest and why it matters for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. You’ll learn how to embrace Sabbath as a gift, not a rule, and how to find stillness even in busy seasons. God’s idea of rest is more than just sleep—it’s a chance to reconnect with Him, release the weight of striving, and walk in peace.

Transcript

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re talking about something that so many of us struggle with—burnout.

We live in a world that glorifies busyness. Hustle culture tells us that the more we do, the more valuable we are. Productivity is often seen as a badge of honor, and rest? Well, that’s for when we’ve “earned it.”

But that’s not how God designed us to live.

God didn’t create us to run on empty. He didn’t intend for us to burn ourselves out. In fact, rest isn’t just something we should do—it’s something God commands us to do.

So today, we’re going to talk about:

• What the Bible says about rest and the Sabbath.

• How to avoid burnout by embracing God’s design for rest.

• How self-care is a biblical principle, not just a worldly trend.

Because when we rest the way God intended, we refresh our souls, strengthen our faith, and actually become more effective in everything we do.

1. What the Bible Says About Rest

Did you know that the very first thing God called “holy” was rest?

In Genesis 2:2-3, after creating the heavens and the earth, we read:

“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—God doesn’t need rest. He’s all-powerful, limitless, and never grows weary. But He chose to rest as an example for us.

God created the Sabbath because He knew we would need rhythms of work and rest. If the Creator of the universe prioritized rest, why do we think we don’t need it?

2. Understanding the Sabbath: Why Rest is a Command, Not Just a Suggestion

One of the Ten Commandments is to keep the Sabbath holy.

Exodus 20:8-10 says:

“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.”

The word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, which means to stop, to cease, to rest.

The Sabbath wasn’t just about taking a day off—it was about trusting God enough to stop working and let Him be in control.

In today’s world, we rarely stop. There’s always another task, another email, another responsibility. But God’s design is different—He calls us to pause, worship, and be renewed.

What Sabbath Rest Looks Like Today:

• Taking intentional time off from work and responsibilities.

• Spending unrushed time with God through prayer, worship, or reading Scripture.

• Enjoying life-giving activities—time with family, a walk in nature, creative hobbies.

• Saying no to things that drain you and yes to what refreshes your soul.

Sabbath is not about legalism—it’s about liberation. It’s about stepping out of the constant pressure to perform and stepping into God’s grace and renewal.

3. Why Burnout is a Spiritual Problem

Burnout isn’t just physical exhaustion—it’s spiritual depletion. It happens when we:

• Overwork ourselves to the point of exhaustion.

• Prioritize tasks over time with God.

• Rely on our own strength instead of God’s.

Jesus gives us a powerful invitation in Matthew 11:28-30:

“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.”

God never intended for us to carry everything alone. When we try to do it all in our own strength, we end up:

• Tired

• Stressed

• Overwhelmed

• Emotionally drained

But when we bring our burdens to Him, He refreshes us, renews us, and strengthens us.

4. Self-Care Through a Biblical Lens

The world talks a lot about self-care, but as Christians, we should see self-care not as selfishness—but as stewardship.

Your body, mind, and soul are gifts from God. Taking care of yourself is not about indulgence—it’s about being healthy enough to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

What Biblical Self-Care Looks Like:

• Spiritual Care – Prioritizing prayer, worship, and time with God.

• Physical Care – Getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising.

• Mental & Emotional Care – Setting boundaries, practicing gratitude, and taking breaks when needed.

Self-care is not about escaping life—it’s about equipping yourself to live it fully and purposefully.

5. Practical Ways to Avoid Burnout & Embrace God’s Rest

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you’re running on empty, it’s time to make rest a priority.

1. Make Time for Sabbath Rest

• Pick one day (or even a few hours) to unplug from work and distractions.

• Use that time to worship, rest, and enjoy life-giving activities.

• Trust that God will take care of what needs to be done.

2. Start Your Day With God, Not Your To-Do List

• Before checking emails or social media, spend time praying and reading Scripture.

• Let God set the tone for your day, instead of starting in stress mode.

3. Set Healthy Boundaries

• Learn to say no to things that drain you.

• Stop overcommitting and recognize that rest is productive.

• Prioritize your spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

4. Get Enough Sleep and Take Care of Your Body

• Sleep is a gift from God, not a luxury. (Psalm 127:2)

• Exercise and eat in a way that honors the body God gave you.

5. Trust God With the Things You Can’t Control

• Burnout often comes from trying to carry everything ourselves.

• Surrender your worries to God and trust that He is in control.

Final Encouragement: Rest Is a Gift, Not a Reward

Rest is not something you earn—it’s something God designed for you.

The world will always tell you to hustle harder, work longer, and never stop. But God says, “Come to Me, and I will give you rest.”

So today, ask yourself:

• Am I prioritizing rest the way God designed?

• Have I been carrying more than I should instead of surrendering it to God?

• How can I start embracing Sabbath rest in my life?

Because when we trust God enough to rest, we find true peace, renewal, and strength to keep going.

I hope today’s episode encouraged you to step out of burnout and step into the rest God has for you. If this message spoke to you, share it with someone who might need the same reminder.

Until next time, keep seeking Him, keep trusting Him, and remember—God designed you to rest, not just to work.