Why Resting Matters: A Biblical Reminder for Women Who Never Slow Down
Why resting matters is something I’ve only recently started to understand. Not sleep, I usually get plenty of that. I’m talking about real rest. The kind that slows your thoughts, settles your soul, and gives your body and spirit space to breathe. For many of us, rest feels unproductive or even lazy, but Scripture tells a very different story.
When Rest Feels Like a Waste of Time
My daughter-in-law absolutely loves massages. She’ll book an hour-long session and often falls asleep halfway through. Sounds amazing, right?
For me, though? A massage feels like torture. I can’t relax. My mind is racing the entire time: “What do I need to do when I get home?” “How long is this thing going to last?” I’m squirming on the inside while someone is trying to help me rest.
I’m not proud of it, but taking time to be still often feels…unproductive. Unless I’m completely worn out, I’m doing something. If I sit down, it’s usually with a to-do list in one hand and guilt in the other.
And when I see someone post a picture of a book they’re reading? My first thought isn’t, “That looks good!” It’s, “Who has time to read a whole book?” I haven’t finished a book since my sister published her last one!
Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 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.
God, the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and everything in between, rested.
He didn’t just sit down because He was tired. He set an example. He blessed the seventh day. He made it holy.
If God thought rest was important enough to include it in the creation story, shouldn’t we?
Our Resistance to Rest
I know the Bible is a guide for how to live our lives, and yet, I don’t follow this part very well. It’s not that I can’t rest on one day; it’s that I don’t. I could write the blog posts I need ahead of time, and take a day off, but more often than not, I don’t.
Let’s be real here: God created the world in six days. If He could take a break, surely I can too. My blog post isn’t going to build the universe or part the seas.
So why is it so hard to rest?
The Invitation to Lay It All Down
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
This verse is well-known for a reason. We are weary. We are burdened. Life is a constant juggling act, family, work, housework, errands, appointments. And the longer we juggle, the more exhausted we become. Eventually, something drops. Or we do.
Jesus isn’t just offering us rest for our bodies. He’s offering peace for our souls.
Choosing Rest Anyway
I’ve scheduled my posts for tomorrow. It is already written, and. today, I’m going to rest, even if it is a challenge for me.
I’ll sit on the back porch, coffee in hand, and watch the bees and the birds dance around the fountain, or go to the pool later with my daughter. I’ll take a deep breath and choose stillness, not because I’ve earned it, but because God says it’s good.
And I’ll try to remember that rest isn’t a reward. It’s a rhythm. One we were designed for.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Let’s End with a Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gentle reminder that rest is not only allowed but encouraged. Help us to release our guilt and our need to be constantly busy. Teach us to embrace stillness and quiet, knowing that You meet us there. Refresh our bodies and renew our spirits so that we can serve You from a place of peace. Thank You for setting the example and inviting us into Your rest.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you, Tanya. I needed to read this today! I left church after Sunday School yesterday because all of the demands of life (including church expectations) just became too much. God gave me the GRACE to know when to step back and go sit in his quiet presence. I appreciate your words and am posting them on my wall right now! 🙂
Laurie, we can all do too much, even if it is the Lord’s work. Taking a rest is a command, not a suggestion. However, I’ve been taking work as the command instead of rest.
I love this message, thank you for sharing it,
Growing up my family always rested on Sundays. It is now a tradition for me and I’m thankful for it!
Thank you for this reminder. I really needed it today!
Why do u feel u need to work 7 days. Even Chix fi lay takes a day off. Will people starve probably not. If u don’t post will women be naked. Probably not. If God rested did he suffer consequences. Hmm. Tania.
Tania. Thanks for this post. Resting really resting is hard for me too. I need to start making a habit of enjoying my life and stop worrying about what always needs to be done. God rested I should too.
Oh, Tania! I also have a hard time just being still. However, I never considered rest in this light. It is a beautiful thing that we have been given by our Father. Thank you for this insight
Oh, you are so like me! I have to make myself sit down and rest. the only reason I have finished quite a few books is that I put audiobooks on my phone so I can do housework and cook while I listen to the stories. have you been listening to my audiobooks when I drive anywhere.
But lately I am trying to make myself spend some time resting. It’s the only way to overcome stress and anxiety lately.
Thank you for such a timely reminder to be still and enjoy the beautiful world the Creator gave us.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 helps to remind me to quiet my mind and spirit as well as my body in order to truly rest. Thank you for the beautiful reminder that rest is as important as work.
Tania, thank you so much for these thoughts. They are so true. I always have so much to do that if I try to rest my mind just races. This is such a good reminder that God designed rest as part of His creation. It is His will for us to rest! All of the things I have to do will still be there when I am finished resting. Maybe He created rest so that we would stop our busyness and have time to listen to His still small voice. I am not going to feel guilty about resting any more! Thank you, thank you.
Amen!
I typically never comment but today I am so moved to say thank you! Thank you for reminding us that rest… the kind the Lord tells us is exactly what we need.
Thanks for reading the post, and taking the time to leave a comment.
Eeek. God forced His hand making me rest a couple months ago. I am terrible about resting. I was burning out from working so many hours, but didn’t realize it. Finally He reduced my schedule for me (ie, He changed my work situation beyond my control, LOL) and as soon as I slowed down, I just crashed. I’m talking crash and burn. Where is the embarrassed face emoji when you need it? Anyhow, I’m working on a better work/life balance now. At least trying to. Part of that is making sure I have some time each week to rest. 🙂
That’s what I’m afraid will also happen to me. So, I’m doing my best to set aside one day for rest…I might be a work in progress.
🙂 Love how God makes things happen that are so good for us! Commenting also because your emoji is the only one I could find on Tonia’s post. Lol
I am 77, retired, took care of my husband who died with cancer 13 yrs ago. Have had other heartbreaking incidents. I have a group of friends and we do things 4 days a week at least. But I can now relax and rest and I’ve learned to commune with God. I feel blessed and hope you ladies will learn to take time for yourselves. We never know what the future may have in store for us. God Bless each one of you!
I am the same! There is so much to do in a day that my mind is always thinking what should I do next😄 I will have to try harder to rest
Manicures & pedicures or massages are not relaxing to me! I can make myself sit & read. Thank you for your Sunday posts they are my favorite!
I make time for a manicure, and a few pedicures, but only because I have my photos taken so often.
Putting aside all our work and worries on the Sabbath is such a blessing, our Creator knows what we need physically and spiritually that’s why he told us to remember it.
Thank you for your incredibly helpful post, Tania. Today was the first time I’ve read your Sunday post. I struggle with my spirituality. But today’s post touched me in a way I could not avoid — through an actual example of how I am connected to God. I am grateful.
Tammy, I am so glad you decided to read today’s post, and that it touched you. I struggle spiritually also, and I keep reminding myself that it is the devil causing the issues. I’m not perfect, but at least I’m trying.
Thank you, Tania! This has inspired me to give myself permission to rest, even if only a few hours on Sunday. You always inspire in your posts, but this was exceptional! Thank you!
Thank you for the post today, a very good reminder for me. It is hard for me to just to be still and rest.
Tania, in the past I have felt guilty for resting, As I get older, I’m 65, it is necessary. Listen to your body, relax to the point that your mind and soul are at rest. It takes practice. Enjoy your day resting and spending time with your daughter 💕
Thank you for this post. I missed church today and was feeling bad. I had worked so hard this week and feeling exhausted to the bone. I was still searching for that belonging that I get from going to church, and your blog hit the spot. I’m terrible at self-care, and I have double the stress on me right now. Thank you for this lovely reminder. Bless you, and have a wonderful week to come.
I’m terrible at self care also, and will sit and work until I find it hard to stand up. But, one day of rest will help a lot, and I’m going to try and stick with this new schedule.
Thank you for this reminder Tania! Like you, it is very challenging for me to really rest. And like you, I am going to make a more concerted effort to rest every Sabbath.
Tania, Your message hit home for me and a lot of women. So many times I hear myself grumbling under my breath, that my life at 73 feels like a job more than it did when I was younger, working and had children at home. Somehow, in between grumbles I always seem to thank God that I am still healthy and able to do what I feel needs to be done. We all need to take quiet time for ourselves.
I love a massage!
Yesterday I received counseling from a devout Priest “Do nothing that interrupts your conversation with God” Today sitting on my patio with the Blue Jays & Turkeys in the North Carolina Mts I’m listening to my Creator
I’ve noticed that every time I sit down to do a Bible study, or listen to a sermon, the interruptions start. I usually smile, take care of the interruption, and then tell satan that his tactics didn’t work while I go back to my time with the Lord.
Thank goodness I was raised to believe that Sunday is a day of worship and rest. I go to church and come home to lunch and a little nap. I read and relax all day. I don’t go shopping or buy anything because I don’t want to make anyone else work. I guess I can say I take a day of rest as I feel God intended it to be. I hope you can find peace and relaxation on your day of rest Tania. God bless you.
Beautiful
Wonderful post about rest, prayer and settling my mind. When I am still, the answers do arrive. Thank you.
Tania! I literally had this conversation with my SIL yesterday… I think its so important to just be still sometimes… it did take some training! When I read the title of today’s post, the verse from Matthew immediately came to mind. Your Sunday posts are my favorite! Have a blessed day, and get some REST🙏❤🙏
I’m so glad that you enjoy them!
Rest is so important!!! Thank you for sharing this message with us today.
What a good post
I too am just like you
Find it hard to rest and do not enjoy massages!
Had one and I felt the same way as you- could not wait til it was over
Nice to know I’m not the only one
I have started to rest during the day, due to getting older. I do like to read before I turn in for the night. I love your Sunday posts. Thank you, Tania.
I have a hard time resting my husband always tells me I don’t know why you just can’t sit down and be still I just feel really guilty and I know I should but I am going to try to do better Thank for the scripture
It is so hard to not do something. I’m trying hard to make it happen, though.
Practice Sitting and listening to Hymns or something Spiritual on your phone or PC Immerse your soul & body with the Holy Spirit Business is Satan’s tactic to distract us from God
Sometimes when I have things I want to do rather than what I need to do I’ll be running around the house until 11:00. I always think I should be doing something. And then if I take a day off I feel guilty. I need to “rest” more too and stop and smell the roses. I’ve never had a massage but maybe I should try one.
I feel the same as you! Massages are torture…lol
I never seem to be able to just sit and be still…..psalm 46:10
Try as I might I can’t stop my mind from spinning.
You and I both need to book a massage.
Thank you for this. It was as if God was speaking to me. Yesterday I took a rest and woke up feeling guilty today. I read this and feel great 😊
I love it when Good shows us messages.
I am so work oriented that relaxing is difficult for me. Retirement has been a stretch because I miss the fast paced environment. Massage? NO! I’m counting the moments until it’s over.
I’ve always compared myself to Martha, instead of Mary. I WANT to be a Mary, but I think I’m a Martha. The good news is, Jesus loved both of them.
Great blog. I love your Sunday postings. This one was especially appropriate. I had already decided that I was not going to walk three miles and that I was going to rest but was starting to doubt myself and thinking I had so much to do. Thanks for steering me back to the right track! Have a blessed day.
I’m so glad this was a tiny post for you. Enjoy your walk.
Someone in your early life might have planted that seed – that being still or at rest is wasteful or a negative? Is that possible?
I’ve had times in my life when I’ve felt that squirming inside too:
( how long is this going to take?) I think you have to remember that as a woman who both works in the home and as a business person , you deserve some down time. It’s self-care.
Maybe it is a learned behavior from my dad. He still works daily and hates it when he can’t go to work because of rain, etc.
Good reminder Tania. Now that I am retired I probably rest more than I should. But I do love relaxing on my porch and listening to the birds and squirrels each morning. I count it as one of my many blessings and it make me mindful and listen.
Yes & Jesus went many times to the Mountains & quiet places to pray and to rest His Spirit some of the “things” we “have” to do right now are not in His will for our souls Those things which keep us from Him deplete our bodies & souls but conversing with Jesus is Eternal Joy I have learned this by submitting to the temptation of business it took years away from Him
I had an MS flare almost 10 years ago that left me unable to drive, even struggling to walk for about a month! I had no choice but to rest. It was hard to see at the time, but it was a gift from God! I haven’t had a flare since but I still rest in the Lord so that He doesn’t have to force me to rest.
That is exactly right. If we don’t take time to rest, He will make us rest.
Reading is restful for me.
My husband is a napper.
I just can’t do that! It seems like there’s always something to do.
But in the evenings I do sit & read.
I am very bad at rest. By the way where do you post the winner?
I’ll start publishing it on Monday instead.
Dear Tania, Thank you for the important reminder.
Truly enjoyed this post. Reminder to rest and seek peace.