Have you ever felt guilty for pausing? Have you ever believed that everything depends on you, and if you were to stop, things would fall apart? Many equate rest with unproductiveness. This mindset is rooted in self-reliance rather than faith.
I sometimes have these recurring dreams. I’m back in the fast-paced world of hospitality, juggling impossible demands, racing against time, and never quite catching up. The stress feels suffocating, and the expectations relentless. I wake up exhausted, heart pounding, as if I never left that season behind.
It’s like all the anxiety and pressure to perform I experienced then had seeped back into my life, shaping my decisions, relationships, and at times my faith, reminding me that unresolved burnout doesn’t just disappear—it lingers, influencing how I show up in the present, and the inner tension remains unless we intentionally bring it before God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Burnout doesn’t come from simply working too hard—it’s often the result of pouring from an empty cup, giving beyond our limits, and feeling trapped in cycles of exhaustion. It follows us into new environments, affecting our confidence, relationships, and even how we serve God. Without boundaries, we risk repeating the same mistakes. A lack of balance in our work and personal lives creates a barrier to moving forward.
Maybe you’ve experienced something similar—old pressures resurfacing, past burnout creeping into your present. The truth is, unresolved stress doesn’t stay neatly packed away. So, let’s address what it means to set clear boundaries and the ability to say “no.”
God’s Design for Rest and Boundaries
Rest isn’t optional—it’s a command. From the beginning, God established the Sabbath as a reminder that we are not meant to operate on empty.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 NIV
Resting isn’t laziness—it’s an act of faith. It’s trusting that God is in control, even when we pause. We’re often praised for being busy, rewarded for hustle, and applauded for productivity. Rest, on the other hand, is seen as indulgent—or even irresponsible. Truth runs counter to everything culture teaches us. From a biblical perspective, rest is not only wise, it’s holy.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he’ll never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalms 55:22 NIV
Setting boundaries is also an act of faith. It means recognizing that our energy and time are limited and that God has entrusted us to steward them wisely in a way that honors Him. It takes more faith to rest than to keep going. A brief pause might mean risking feeling undone or being misunderstood. But in that space, we meet God. And He reminds us that our worth isn’t earned—it’s received.
The Weight of Unresolved Stress
Many of us carry silent loads from past seasons—workplace wounds, unrealistic expectations, betrayal, overcommitment—that continue to affect our present choices. And one of the reasons stress remains is because we rarely stop long enough to be honest about it. Honest about our limitations. Ignoring our limits isn’t strength—it’s denial. Eventually, the body, mind, or spirit will force us to stop.
“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” Psalms 32:2-4 NIV
This verse of scripture powerfully encapsulates the internal toll of unspoken pain. It reminds us that silence about our burdens—especially emotional and spiritual ones—can wear us down from the inside out. “Just one more thing, one more day” can feel noble, but when worn as a badge of honor, it comes at a hidden cost. We are not limitless. We are not machines.
God modeled this for us in creation. After six days of speaking the universe into being, He rested. Not because He was tired, but to establish a rhythm of work and rest, productivity and peace.
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2 NIV
Resting is a spiritual discipline. It’s how we declare dependence on God—not our schedules, our income, or our accomplishments. It teaches us to release control and receive peace. Even Jesus, fully God and fully man, withdrew from the crowds to rest and pray (Luke 5:16). If He needed space to recharge, how much more do we? On the other side of burnout lies bitterness and breakdown, and oh, do I know the pain of pouring from an empty cup and the taste of resentment that follows when no one notices you’re running on fumes.
Another part of releasing stress is learning to pick your battles. Not every fight is yours to take on. Not every need is yours to fulfill. Sometimes we take on responsibilities or burdens that God never asked us to carry in trying to be everything for everyone. We overextend ourselves to meet expectations placed on us by others, whether consciously or unconsciously, and then there’s the disappointment we feel when no one comes to rescue us when we expect it.
Neglecting your own needs in the name of responsibility is the kind of emotional exhaustion that numbs your joy and robs your peace. Caring for yourself is not selfish—it’s stewardship. Your body, your time, and your energy are gifts from God, and taking care of them is part of honoring Him. That includes making space to breathe, to reflect, to say “no” when needed, and to stop apologizing for being human.
What Does Resting in God Look Like?
You will feel guilty if you believe everything depends on you, that if you stop, things will fall apart. Believing that our value is tied to how much we can do or how many people we can please leads to a constant state of stress and worry. In the noise of busyness, God’s gentle voice can be drowned out by the constant hum of expectations and distraction.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV
The struggle of people-pleasing, self-reliance, and misplaced identity is what makes resting in God both necessary and countercultural. Resting in Him means surrendering the need to be everything for everyone. It means slowing down long enough to listen for His voice and letting His truth redefine your worth.
It’s allowing His presence to quiet the noise and His promises to carry the weight you were never meant to hold. Rest in God looks like intentional pauses, quiet trust, and a heart anchored not in performance, but in His unchanging grace. With God’s approval and leadership guiding us, we stop measuring our worth by what we do and instead remember that we are loved not for our output, but for who we are in Christ.
How to Cultivate Daily Rest in God
Just as our bodies need sleep, our souls need time in God’s presence. We don’t have to carry everything alone. When we trust God with our time, work, and responsibilities, we acknowledge that He is ultimately in control by honoring our God-given limits and trusting that He will provide for us even when we choose to step back.
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV
With this in mind, cultivating rest becomes a daily practice—one that shapes how we live and work. Here are some practical ways to begin:
- Start your day in His presence—before diving into work, begin with Scripture and prayer.
- Take intentional pauses—step away to breathe, reset, and reconnect with God.
- Let go of unnecessary burdens—ask, is this mine to carry?
- Honor the Sabbath—Set aside time weekly to rest and worship without guilt.
God’s rest is not reserved for a distant future; it is available to you right now. His presence is your safe place, your source of renewal, and your strength in weakness. Finding rest in Him isn’t about doing more—it’s about trusting more. When we rest in God, we operate from a place of peace rather than exhaustion, knowing that He is always working on our behalf.
