Do you ever feel like you’re running on empty? Like you’re caring for everyone else—your team at work, your family at home, your church community—but when it comes to your own care, you’re at the bottom of the list?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many women in the workplace find themselves stuck in a cycle of giving, leading, nurturing, and supporting without receiving the same level of care themselves. We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and praises exhaustion as a badge of honor. But the truth is, God never called us to burnout. He calls us to rest.

The Biblical Call to Rest

From the beginning of creation, God modeled the importance of rest. Genesis 2:2 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all his work.” If the Creator of the universe took time to rest, why do we think we can keep pushing without pause?

Jesus also modeled rest throughout His ministry. In Mark 6:31, He tells His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Rest isn’t a reward; it’s a rhythm built into a life of faith.

The Cost of Constant Hustle

When we neglect rest and self-care, the consequences are real. Mental, emotional, and physical health all suffer.

• According to the World Health Organization, burnout is now officially recognized as a syndrome, and it often results from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed (WHO, 2019).
• A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that employees who don’t get enough rest are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and reduced job performance (Sonnentag, 2018).
• Chronic stress and sleep deprivation are linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, weakened immune systems, and memory problems (CDC, 2020).

We weren’t created to live in overdrive. When we constantly pour out without refilling, we eventually run dry.

Mental Health and the Gift of Rest

Rest is so much more than just sleeping. It’s the intentional practice of stepping away from productivity to make space for peace, reflection, and joy. True rest restores our mental health, renews our perspective, and can help us reconnect with God.

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Rest clears the noise so we can hear His voice.

Encouragement for the Women Who Care for Everyone Else

To the woman who leads with grace, gives without hesitation, and holds everyone else together: God sees you. He celebrates your strength, but He also invites you to rest.

You don’t need to earn rest. You don’t have to apologize for taking time off. And you’re not selfish for choosing to care for yourself, too.

You’re a human being, not just a human doing. God wants you to thrive—not just survive.

Practical Ways to Hold Space for Rest and Renewal

1. Schedule Sabbath Rest
Set aside one day a week to unplug and recharge. Sabbath is not a suggestion; it’s a command (Exodus 20:8). Use this time to enjoy what brings you joy—worship, nature, laughter, or simply doing nothing.

2. Set Boundaries at Work
Not every email needs an instant reply. Create clear start and end times to your workday. Healthy boundaries protect your energy and promote long-term sustainability.

3. Say “No” Without Guilt
You can’t say yes to everything and stay healthy. Saying no to one thing is saying yes to something better—your peace, your purpose, and your health.

4. Practice Daily Mini-Rest Moments
You don’t need a vacation to rest. Take 5-minute breaks during the day to pray, stretch, breathe, or step outside. These micro-moments add up and ground you in the present.

5. Prioritize Mental Health
Speak to a Christian counselor, join a support group, or talk with a trusted friend. Your emotional well-being matters to God.

6. Nourish Your Spirit
Start your day with Scripture or worship music. Even 10 minutes with God can reset your mindset and refill your cup.

Rest Isn’t Laziness—It’s Leadership

When you rest, you lead better. When you care for your soul, you show up fully for those God has entrusted to you. And when you say yes to rest, you say yes to a deeper dependence on Him.

Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” True strength is not in striving—it’s in surrender.

So take a breath. Step back. Reclaim rest. Not just because you need it, but because your Creator commands it. And when you live from rest instead of rushing, you reflect the peace and presence of Christ in all you do.

Practical Takeaways:

• Schedule rest into your week (even one hour of protected quiet time can help).
• Set work-life boundaries and stick to them.
• Release guilt by remembering that rest honors God.
• Prioritize sleep, movement, and nutrition as forms of self-care.
• Seek a community that encourages you to rest and reset.