Between busy schedules, addictive social media, and the pressure to always be productive, it's no surprise this generation struggles to be present. How can we maintain lasting energy without relying on Red Bulls or coffee? How can we prevent feeling burned out all the time?
Despite the “Sabbath” practice mentioned in the Scriptures, Christians aren’t immune to this struggle. In fact, we often struggle the worst, replacing “rest” with “doing more for God.” “Doing more” doesn’t equate the rest that God talks about or commands—no matter how holy we try to paint it. And so, many of us who love Jesus, honestly and authentically, continue to feel emotionally and spiritually tired.
But what if I told you, Sabbath was God’s design for our restoration, not a rule meant to burden us. Before we talk about what Sabbath rest actually is, and what it might look like for you, let’s talk about how to practice the Sabbath today. What does Scripture actually mean when it tells us to “rest?”
What Is Sabbath Rest in the Bible?
In Genesis 2:2-3, we read these words: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 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” (NIV).
What I love about this Scripture is not just that God rested on the seventh day, but that God rested period. God is God. He doesn’t grow tired or weary. So, why would He rest? Because he knew that we would grow tired and weary and would need that rest. And that means one thing: Rest is a gift for us.
The word “Sabbath” literally means to stop or cease from striving. While it may have appeared as a religious rule, it was also a gift for humans to pause and trust God with the outcome. Even Jesus clarified that “the Sabbath was made for man” (Mark 2:27, NIV).
In Exodus 20:8-10, we see that the Sabbath did require physical rest. To stop working. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns” (NIV). But the point of stopping one’s work was to reconnect with God, oneself, and others.
Why Sabbath Matters for Mental and Spiritual Health
While the Sabbath might look different for us living in the 21st century, it’s important to know this history. Our culture is dealing with things that those of the Old and New Testaments probably never imagined:
• Constant productivity that creates anxiety and burnout.
• An unhealthy obsession with social media that’s constantly available.
• A world that equates our worth by what we produce.
But friends, our bodies and minds need rhythms of work and rest. And that’s why the Sabbath is so powerful. It reminds us that our worth isn’t based on productivity, no matter how much the world preaches that message as Gospel truth. It helps us trust God instead of striving.
When we take time to rest, physically or mentally, we reduce emotional exhaustion, hear God more clearly, and strengthen our relationships. However, I want to be clear about what the Sabbath is and isn’t.
What Sabbath Is NOT
Many Christians avoid the Sabbath because they misunderstand it. I know I did for decades. But the Sabbath is not:
• Legalistic rule-keeping
• Doing nothing all day
• Feeling guilty for enjoying rest
• Another item on a spiritual to-do list
Instead:
The Sabbath is intentional rest with God. And for all you active people like me, it doesn’t have to mean napping or sitting all day! The cool thing about the Sabbath is that it is individualized and can be created between you and God.
For example, what’s restful for my husband (playing video games and lounging around all day) is different from what’s restful for me (reading a fiction book, hiking, or going to a fun workout class). That’s okay. Again, the Sabbath was made for man. What matters is that we’re being intentional about stepping away from our work, doing something restful and rejuvenating, and creating time and space to grow closer to God. How do we practically do this?
Simple Ways to Start Practicing Sabbath
How you can implement the Sabbath in your life is endless, but here are just a few ideas to get you started:
• Choose a consistent day or half-day.
• Choose 5-30 minutes every day.
• Turn off notifications or social media.
• Spend unhurried time with God.
• Go outside or take a slow walk.
• Journal or reflect on gratitude.
• Share a meal with people you love.
• Do something life-giving (reading, art, music).
• Go to a fun workout or dance class.
• Try a new hobby and talk to God about it.
• Set firm boundaries with work and ask a friend to keep you accountable.
• Stop checking your email at a certain time.
What matters here is that you’re choosing small (not perfect) steps. And I believe God sees that obedience.
What If Rest Feels Hard?
All of this sounds awesome, right? But what if rest still feels hard? Out of reach? I know it often did for me. If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. Learning to obey the Sabbath is a common struggle. Many people feel anxious when they slow down (I know I do!). Rest can even reveal emotions we’ve been avoiding that need to be processed. But friends, this is all normal.
Instead of trying to overhaul your life overnight, start with short, daily periods of rest. Invite God into those quiet moments and ask Him to help you see the Sabbath as a restorative practice, not a performative or legalistic one.
Though it will take time, dedication, and practice, the Sabbath is an invitation God gives to all of us. He didn’t command it to control or worry us, but to let us know that we will get tired—and that’s okay. Sabbath is an invitation to remember that you are loved, that you are human, and that rest is part of faithful and fruitful living. We can actually serve others best when we learn to take care of ourselves as God intended.
You don’t have to earn your worth, friends. And in a world that tells you to keep going, the Sabbath reminds us that sometimes the most helpful and spiritual thing we can do is pause and rest in the Lord. To full stop. Not because work isn’t important, but because we trust the Lord to do what we can’t on the days we rest fully and faithfully in Him.
“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2, NLT).
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/miljko
