Rest… A Need, Not a Want

When was the last time you truly rested? Not just a quick nap or a moment scrolling through your phone, but deep, soul-refreshing rest—the kind that leaves you feeling renewed, peaceful, and whole. In today’s world, rest is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. Our schedules are packed, our minds are busy, and our hearts are restless. Yet, rest is something we all desperately need—not just for our physical health but for our emotional and spiritual well-being.

The Bible speaks about rest as a gift from God, a rhythm woven into creation itself. Let me be upfront: this blog won’t guarantee you’ll suddenly master the art of rest. It probably won’t even give you a quick taste of blissful rest. True rest is a practice—a conscious, ongoing effort to slow down and create space for peace in your daily life. Together, let’s explore what prevents us from finding rest, what the Bible says about rest, and how to take practical steps toward it in our busy world.

What Prevents us From Finding Rest?

1. Cultural Emphasis on Productivity

Many cultures prioritize achievement and productivity over rest. Success is often measured by how busy or accomplished we are, leading to the mindset that rest is unproductive or lazy.

2. Technology and Constant Connectivity

With smartphones, social media, and remote work, it’s harder than ever to disconnect. Notifications and digital demands blur the boundaries between work and personal life, making true rest feel out of reach.

3. Pressure to Keep Up

Social comparison can drive people to feel like they need to do more, achieve more, or hustle harder to keep up with others. Rest can feel indulgent or like falling behind. If we’re resting, “we’re burning daylight!”.

4. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Whether it’s work opportunities, social events, or personal goals, many fear they’ll miss something important if they pause. This fear fuels overcommitment and burnout.

5. Lack of Understanding About Rest

Many people view rest as simply not working or sleeping. True rest, which restores the soul and body, often requires intentionality—things like quiet time, spiritual reflection, or connecting with nature. Think about times when you feel at rest. What are you doing? Where are you physically?

6. Economic Pressures

For some, rest feels like a luxury they can’t afford. Financial pressures and the need to provide can lead to long hours and multiple jobs, leaving little room for downtime.

7. Restlessness of the Heart

On a deeper level, some people resist rest because they feel unsettled inside. The idea of being still with their thoughts or emotions can be uncomfortable, so they stay busy to avoid it. My son has confessed he often listens to music through his airpods and the music has to be “louder than [his] thoughts” for him to stop the restless brain chatter.

Breaking this cycle involves redefining the value of rest—not as an absence of work, but as an essential part of living a balanced, healthy life.

What Does the Bible Say About Rest?

The Bible provides profound wisdom about rest. Take one that resonates with you and like my friend Karen, write it on your hand, so you see it all day long as a reminder. Here are some verses to meditate on:

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
“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.”
Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV)
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Exodus 33:14 (NIV)
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV)
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.”

Which verse resonates with you? Write it down, carry it with you, and let it guide you as you seek rest.

What Steps Can We Take to Find True Rest?

Finding true rest requires intentional steps to create balance in a busy world. Here are some practical ways to incorporate rest into your life:

1. Prioritize Sabbath Rest

Set aside time to stop working and focus on rest, worship, and renewal. The Sabbath is a biblical model that invites us to step away from busyness and reconnect with God and our loved ones. God created the Sabbath because He knows we need it in our lives.

2. Create Boundaries Around Work

Define clear start and stop times for work and resist the urge to check emails or take calls outside those hours. This boundary allows your mind and body to unwind.

3. Unplug from Technology

Take regular breaks from screens, especially social media, to quiet the constant noise of the digital world. Consider a “digital Sabbath” where you disconnect for a full day. I wrote a separate blog on my weekly #24hourtechbreak ritual that I think you’ll enjoy.

4. Practice Stillness

Spend time in quiet reflection, prayer, or meditation. Stillness helps center your heart and mind, creating space for God to speak and for you to listen. If being still causes your brain to get louder, it’s okay to turn on some calming instrumental music. Here is my favorite reflective playlist from Spotify:

5. Embrace Simplicity

Declutter your schedule and say no to unnecessary commitments. Simplifying your life allows you to focus on what truly matters and prevents burnout. No is not a bad word!

6. Engage in Restorative Activities

Identify activities that replenish your energy, such as reading, spending time in nature, journaling, or creating art. Rest doesn’t always mean doing nothing—it means doing what restores you. If you know me, you know I find rest and peace by the ocean. The sand grounds me and the rhythm of the waves calms me.

7. Get Quality Sleep

Prioritize a consistent sleep schedule and create a calming bedtime routine. Sleep is foundational for physical and mental health and is often the first area of rest we neglect. Try some Brown Noise! My husband and I (and now our son too!) have Brown Noise on all night long.

8. Lean on God’s Strength

True rest comes from trusting God and surrendering your burdens to Him. Spend time in Scripture and prayer, allowing His presence to refresh your soul. Reread the scripture verses from above. Write one out today and take it with you wherever you go.

9. Foster Community

Rest doesn’t always have to be solitary. Share meals, laugh, or spend time with people who uplift and encourage you. Community can be deeply restorative.

10. Cultivate Gratitude

Pause regularly to thank God for His blessings. Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what’s present, bringing peace and contentment.

Rest is not a one-time fix but a lifelong practice, an intentional rhythm of slowing down and trusting God with the work left undone. It’s about more than physical rejuvenation—it’s a spiritual act of surrender, allowing God to renew our minds, bodies, and souls. As you reflect on the barriers to rest and the steps to reclaim it, remember that true rest is a gift from God. Let Him lead you beside still waters and refresh your soul.

So, where will you begin today? Choose one step, embrace it, and let rest become part of your daily walk with God.