Why Rest is the Most Spiritual Thing You'll Do Today

In our achievement-driven world, it’s easy to believe that strength only comes from doing more. But what if strength also comes from doing less—from resting, pausing, and remembering we’re not God? The truth is, real strength is found not just in motion, but in margin. And rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a spiritual imperative woven into the very fabric of how we were created.

God designed us for rhythms: work and rest, output and renewal. When we ignore that design, we don’t just get tired—we lose clarity, compassion, and connection with Him. Rest isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. It’s the bold acknowledgment that we need God more than we need our next accomplishment.

The Myth of ‘Busy’ in Modern Spirituality

Somewhere along the way, we started equating busyness with faithfulness. We bought into the idea that being constantly in motion—always serving, producing, achieving—is what honors God most. But Scripture doesn’t support that. In fact, some of the most spiritually grounded people in the Bible learned how to pause.

Busy isn’t always better. In fact, it can be a barrier to intimacy with God. If we’re too busy to sit with Him, we’re too busy—period. The myth that hustle equals holiness has worn out more believers than we can count. God doesn’t love you more when you’re productive. He loves you because you’re His.

Rest Is a Gift, Not a Reward

One of the most damaging lies we believe is that rest has to be earned. We push through stress, exhaustion, and burnout, telling ourselves we’ll rest after the to-do list is done. But in the Bible, rest isn’t something you earn after a hard day—it’s something you receive because God loves you.

Sabbath wasn’t a pat on the back for productivity—it was a sacred rhythm for His people. Before they even accomplished anything in the Promised Land, God gave them rest. That same gift is available to us today. You don’t have to finish everything before you can pause. You rest not because your work is done, but because Jesus’ work is.

Jesus’ Example: Why Even He Rested (Mark 6:31)

In Mark 6:31, Jesus tells His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” The context? They had just come back from preaching, healing, and ministering—and they were exhausted. Crowds were pressing in. Needs were still everywhere. But Jesus didn’t say, “Let’s keep going.” He said, “Let’s rest.”

Think about that. The Son of God, whose ministry had eternal significance, stopped to rest. Not because He was lazy, but because He was wise. Rest wasn’t a distraction from His mission—it was part of it. If Jesus made space for stillness, shouldn’t we?

Rest as a Reconnection with Self and God

When we rest, we reconnect—not just with our bodies, but with our souls. Rest pulls us out of autopilot and puts us back into a place of awareness. We slow down long enough to hear our own hearts and God’s gentle whisper.

In rest, we remember who we are: deeply loved children, not machines. We rediscover God’s presence outside of our performance. We learn to sit with Him, not just serve Him. And sometimes, that quiet connection speaks louder than any sermon or song.

Practical Steps to Incorporate Rest into Our Busy Lives

So, how do we begin? Rest doesn’t have to mean a week-long vacation or turning your life upside down. Here are a few simple ways to start practicing spiritual rest:

1. Schedule a Sabbath – Choose one day (or even a half day) to unplug from work, phones, and obligations. Use it to be still, enjoy life, and delight in God.

2. Create Micro-Moments – Find small pockets of stillness throughout the day. Step outside. Breathe deeply. Whisper a prayer. Silence the noise, even briefly.

3. Protect Your Margin – Don’t fill every blank space in your calendar. Leave room to reflect, pray, and just be. Margin gives your soul room to breathe.

4. Prioritize Sleep – Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is go to bed. Resting your body helps restore your mind and opens your heart to God.

5. Say No with Purpose – Every yes is a no to something else. Guard your energy by only committing to what aligns with God’s priorities for your life.

The Spiritual Benefits of Pausing

When we rest regularly, we start noticing something incredible: our strength grows. Not just physically, but spiritually. We become more aware of God’s voice, more attuned to His leading, and more at peace in our circumstances.

Rest sharpens your focus, softens your heart, and deepens your trust. It gives space for healing. It trains you to rely on God instead of running on fumes. It brings back the joy you thought you had to hustle for.

Rest is not the enemy of growth—it’s the foundation of it.

You’re Not Lazy—You’re Leaning on God

Friend, rest isn’t a waste of time. It’s a way to say, “God, I trust You with what I can’t finish.” It’s permission to let go of pressure and lean into peace. If you’ve been trying to carry everything on your own, maybe it’s time to take a breath—and let God carry you.

You were never meant to do it all. That’s why Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary… and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

You don’t need to prove your worth by staying busy. You don’t need to earn rest—it’s already yours in Him. Let today be the day you stop running on empty and start receiving His strength through stillness.

Listen to the companion episode, "Don't Forget to Rest."