We live under the weight of collective exhaustion. The modern world demands that we always be "connected," always productive, always moving forward. We rush from one task to the next, our minds buzzing with notifications and our hearts racing from caffeine and anxiety.
And when we finally stop, the silence makes us uncomfortable.
The irony is that we often transfer this same productivity culture to our spiritual lives. We feel that, to be "good Christians," we must do more: pray longer, read more chapters, serve in more ministries. When we feel spiritually exhausted, our first response is to try harder, adding more spiritual tasks to our list.
But sometimes, the most spiritual act we can perform is not to add something more. It is to stop.
Sometimes, the soul doesn't need a new task; it needs permission to rest. Rest isn't laziness; it's an act of faith. It's a profound spiritual discipline. To rest is to believe that God continues to work even when we stop. It's letting go of control and trusting that the universe won't fall apart if we stop holding on for an hour.
The Psalmist understood this truth deeply. He didn't say, "I will struggle and then sleep." He said:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8, NIV)
The rest the Bible speaks of is not merely the absence of activity; it is the presence of peace. It is a rest born of trust. It is the calm we experience when we cease striving in our own strength and allow ourselves to be sustained by His.
How does this break look in practice?
Perhaps it looks like turning off your phone an hour before bed. Perhaps it's sitting in silence for ten minutes without asking for anything, just breathing. Perhaps it's saying "no" to a commitment, even a good one, to protect your peace. Perhaps it's literally sleeping, trusting that, while you sleep, God is working on your behalf, renewing your cells, healing your mind, and guarding your heart.
If you feel exhausted, don't feel guilty. Listen to your body and soul. You don't need more effort; you need more trust. Release the weight from your shoulders and receive the gift of rest. In stillness, you will find strength. In peace, you will find His presence.