A few days ago, I woke up feeling completely drained, what people call waking up on “the wrong side of the bed.” You know those mornings when you literally jump out of bed because you have to get the kids ready for school? That was me.
While dressing my older son, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “Toju, gently. You are being too fast and hard.” But in my rush, I barely acknowledged it. Then, as I was applying lotion to his skin, I suddenly heard him sniffle. That was when I finally looked at his face. His little mouth was trembling, his eyes brimming with tears, he was right on the verge of breaking down.
My heart sank. I immediately pulled him into a hug and whispered, “I am so sorry, darling. Mommy is being too hard, isn’t she? I need to be gentle, right? I am sorry, my love.” He hugged me tightly and, as if speaking for the Holy Spirit, said, “I love you so much, Mom.” Oh my! I nearly teared up right there.
In that moment, I appreciated rest even more. I realized it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. I had developed a bad habit of settling the family late at night, which meant I was not going to bed until around 12 or 12:30 a.m. The problem with lack of rest is not just reduced productivity, it affects our relationships, especially with those we love the most.
I remember those days when I used to attend CCI Church. I would wake up so early to get the kids ready, not even realizing how exhausted I was. One day, by the time I got to church, I was literally dozing off while standing. At that point, I just respected myself, walked out, went straight to the car, turned on the AC, and slept.
You see, we were not created to work endlessly without breaks. We must learn to step away from the busyness of life and intentionally rest. As believers, we must learn to sleep in the middle of the storm like Jesus did. We must learn how to rest even when the world feels like it is on fire, otherwise, we will get consumed by it instead of quenching it like Jesus rebuked the wind.
When we take time to rest, whether individually, as a couple, or as a family, we become more present, more loving, and more intentional in our roles.
God included rest in the Ten Commandments for a reason. He said “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day, you shall rest, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your servant and the stranger may be refreshed.“ (Exodus 23:12)
You Are Not Depressed, You Just Need Sleep
In my early days of motherhood, there were times I was so exhausted that I would just pause, staring blankly at my crying baby, completely drained and out of ideas on how to soothe him. Sometimes, I would simply hand the baby to my husband, lock the door, and sleep, without a care in the world.
My husband, bless his heart, would do everything possible to keep the kids from knocking on the room door. By the time I finally stepped out, I would be fully recharged, while he looked like he had just wrestled lions at the zoo!
One time, I suddenly woke up from sleep, frantically searching for my baby, only to realize he was right in my arms. At that moment, I knew I was exhausted beyond reason. I ‘jejely’ placed him in his rocker and went straight to sleep for at least six hours. I was not about to lose my mind!
Over time, I have come to realize that many health issues stem from a lack of proper rest. In fact, many people who believe they are battling depression may just be severely sleep deprived. I have seen firsthand how much faster my body recovers when I prioritize rest.
I remember when I had my second son. Less than 48 hours after delivery, I came home feeling invincible, ready to jump right back into my mommy duties. But my body had other plans. It was as if it looked at me and said, “Am I a joke to you? Do you even realize what we just went through?”
Suddenly, all the swelling I did not experience during pregnancy hit me like a flood. My ankles, feet, and hands puffed up so much that I could not wear my watch, fit into my clothes, or even slide my feet into my slippers.
Nobody needed to tell me twice, I listened to my body immediately. I slowed down, prioritized sleep like it was my only job, left the laundry undone, accepted every bit of help available, and drank water like I was on a mission to empty a whole tank. By the end of the week, the swelling had gone down without a single medication. In two weeks, my body was back to normal.
That experience taught me something invaluable: rest is not a sign of weakness; sometimes, it is the best medicine.
God Made the Sabbath for Man
God, who created us in His image, knew we needed rest. Just as He rested on the seventh day after creating the world, we too must pause as often as we work.
Genesis 2:2: “And on the seventh day, God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.”
If the all powerful God, the very source of strength, chose to rest, who are we to think we can function without it?
Many people feel overwhelmed, constantly exhausted, and even look older than their age because they neglect rest. Psalm 127:2 says “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He gives His beloved sleep.”
Rest is a divine principle for longevity and strength. God designed our bodies to need sleep, especially at night. Yes, there are times we stay up to pray or study, but that does not take away the importance of rest. Jesus emphasized this when He said: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
Rest is God’s gift to us, not a burden. He knew that without it, we would burn out physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. Ignoring rest is not a sign of strength nor is it laziness; infact, it is a rejection of God’s wisdom.
Even Machines Need Rest
If machines designed for continuous use require rest, how much more our human bodies? Some appliances even have built in rest periods, like blenders that warn you to pause between uses. If inanimate objects need breaks to function well, how much more you and me?
Even the land and animals are not exempt from the principle of rest. Exodus 23:10-11 says “For six years, you shall sow your land and gather its produce, but in the seventh year, you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat; and what they leave, the wild animals may consume.”
Leviticus 25:1-4 also says “For six years, you may sow your fields, prune your vineyards, and gather the harvest. But in the seventh year, the land must have a Sabbath of rest, a Sabbath to the Lord.”
For the animals, God said: “But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it, you shall do no work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.”(Exodus 20:10)
The truth is, burnout is not always a result of doing too much; sometimes, it is the result of resting too little. God designed our bodies, minds, and spirits to thrive with proper rest. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or even discouraged, ask yourself: Do I need more prayer, or do I just need some sleep?
Because sometimes, the answer is not that deep. You just need rest.
