Rest: 4 Reasons You Should Take a Sabbath Every Week

Rest. We gotta talk about it.

In this hustle bustle world we live in, it seems almost frowned upon to not be constantly busy, hustling for your goals, or filling every moment in your calendar. But the truth is rest is not only good for us and provides us with so many benefits but it’s also commanded of us.

God commanded us to take a day out of our week and dedicate it to rest, worship, and fellowship. For so long, I didn’t make this an intentional priority in my life. I’d still dabble in my work because I’m an entrepreneur and felt like I had more freedom and “rest” in my life than a lot of other people. So, I never took an entire day to rest and reset.

Then, about 5 or 6 years ago, I started feeling really convicted to take a real Sabbath every week, not because I felt like I needed it, but because God commanded it. And one thing I know is true. If God commands it, He has a reason for it far greater than I realize. So, I decided to start taking a Sabbath out of obedience alone. Now, I look back at that decision with fullness and gratitude that I followed His prompting. That was one of the best decisions of my life.

Here’s what I realized when I started setting aside an entire day for rest:

1. God can do far more in 6 days than I can do in 7.

I look back now and see that taking a Sabbath was rooted in fear. I didn’t know what would happen if people couldn’t get a hold of me, ask me a question, or if I didn’t respond to a client. I see now that there’s a lot of ego in that.

2. I became a greater example of the One that I serve, leading others closer to God.

I was so scared of not being available for people and realized shortly that people respected and most even understood this new boundary! And, many people then felt more open to talking to me about a Sabbath for themselves or about their own walk with the Lord. And, that’s the real deal. Am I right? We are called to be an example, to lead others to Christ, and to bring more honor and glory to His name.

3. I could release the guilt attached to taking a break or resting.

As someone who is an achiever by nature, I’ve always struggled with guilt any time I take time to rest. I feel lazy and like I’m falling behind. My brain immediately goes to what I should be doing and what a better use of my time would be. So, as I started honoring this commandment, I realized that I could release the guilt because I wasn’t being lazy. I was obeying what God COMMANDED of me. I could completely and fully rest like I had never before because this is what He wants of me. I realized I was living in and doing what He told me to.

P.S. Part of me really thinks He gave this commandment for workaholics and achievers who have a really hard time putting work down. Because He knew we would need it.

4. I felt renewed and ready for the coming week because I took real time completely away.

I started to realize that I was more ready, equipped, and renewed to take on Monday and the entire week because I had taken time to be still, to rest, to be with my family, and to practice gratitude for the life God gave me.

If you want to stop burnout, start taking a real, intentional Sabbath.

I really hope that if you don’t take a Sabbath or if you aren’t intentional about protecting your Sabbath, that this sells you on it. Implementing and protecting my Sabbath was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And, I have no doubt it will be the same for you.

If turning everything off and resting is hard for you too, take comfort in this…if God’s commanding you to do it, then it will serve you in more ways than you can imagine. And, it will honor Him even more. I hope you’ll join me in resting in Him.