If you are like a lot of us, the last few months have not been restful. While life hasn’t always been busy in the physical sense, it feels like life has been much busier than usual in the mental sense. This can bring mental fatigue and emotional struggle. What does a mature Christian response to fatigue look like?
To rest.
We all need rest, and it is good, okay, and spiritual to rest. We have to trust in God that he can take care of things without us. We often spend so much time working for God or just working in general that we forget we need rest. We often have a hard time denying this driving need to work and to, instead, rest. Relenting toward God in this area is a step of faith.
What can we learn about rest from Scripture?
First, that God modeled rest. In Genesis 2 we see that following six days of labor to create the world, God rested on day seven. God did not become fatigued and wear out from his work of creation, but He rested in order to give us an example to follow. Jesus likewise often modeled rest in during his public ministry. Very often, we see Jesus withdraw to a quiet place to rest and pray. Note what an important role prayer played in Jesus’ times of rest.
Second, rest is not the same as laziness. Perhaps you have seen the stereotype of the unemployed man who lives in his mother’s basement, eats Doritos, and plays video games all day. This is not biblical rest. We are to labor for the kingdom of God but also to recognize that we were not created to mentally or physically go 100 miles an hour all the time. We rest not just for ourselves but so that we will be refreshed to continue God’s work in the long term. Resting prevents burnout.
Lastly, ultimate rest is found only in Jesus. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” In Jesus we find complete rest from the concerns of the world and the need to try to work to be acceptable in the sight of God.
As I embark on a period of rest during my upcoming Sabbatical, I want to encourage you to examine yourself. Identify where you have not been trusting God, and pick one area of life where you need to deny that inner pull to work and, instead, rest in Jesus. May God replenish you in this time.