We live in a world that celebrates self-care. It’s all the rage these days, along with all the other things that would have you focus on yourself more. From spa days to quiet mornings with a cup of coffee, we’re constantly told to “treat yo self.” But if I’m being honest, I think self-care doesn’t go deep enough.
There’s nothing wrong with surface-level self-care. The Bible calls us to rest when it commands us to honor the Sabbath Day. The difference in rest for us, as believers, is the heart posture behind it.
Are we pampering ourselves just to feel better, or are we leaning into the Lord, allowing Him to restore us so that we can continue to pour into others?
In a world that’s always on the go, how do we, as Christians, stop and rest well?
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m tired. Overwhelmed. Burned out. And here’s the irony—I’m releasing this blog post a week late because I missed my deadline last week. I had to return to the drawing board, take a step back, and get some rest.
It was humbling, but better late than never, right? And honestly, I think this post is better for it after some genuine thought.
This blog isn’t me pretending to have it all together. In fact, this might be more for me than anyone else.
Maybe you’re wondering why you would take advice from someone still figuring it out herself. That’s fair. You can choose to exit now, but if you’re still with me, we can explore this together as I flesh out these thoughts in real-time.
Self-care is about the surface—meeting immediate needs like a nap or a nice meal. But soul care, resting in the Lord, is about true renewal.
It’s about allowing God to refresh our spirits so we can keep going in the areas He’s called us to.
That being said, we must also acknowledge that our physical bodies matter. Sometimes, the weariness we feel directly results from how we treat ourselves.
Ask yourself if there are patterns of exhaustion or burnout you keep falling into. What’s causing that? I know for me, when I’m drained, I have to stop and check in on some basics.
- Menstrual cycles and hormones: For women, hormones can play a significant role in how we feel physically and emotionally. I pay attention to where I am in my cycle because sometimes my fatigue or irritability has a very real, biological cause.
- Food and water intake: Am I nourishing my body with healthy food and staying hydrated? When I’m busy, I tend to skip meals or forget to drink water, and that definitely affects my energy.
- Sleep: Have I been sleeping enough, or am I staying up late, burning the candle at both ends and expecting my body to keep up?
These are all pieces of the puzzle, but they only address the physical side. For me, proper rest happens when I also tend to my spirit and this is where we look to the Sabbath Day.
When life is busy, the idea of giving up an entire day to rest can feel nearly impossible—there’s just too much to get done.
But in Exodus 16, God guides the Israelites to trust Him with their time and needs. Moses directed the people to gather manna, the bread God rained down from heaven, but to refrain from gathering on the Sabbath. Here’s what happened:
“Some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.’ So the people rested on the seventh day” (Exodus 16:27-30 NIV).
This story reminds us that when we surrender our time to God and trust Him to provide, we receive something far more valuable than just getting through another busy week.
Honoring the Sabbath isn’t just about a day off; it’s a chance to step back, let go, and remember that our strength, provision, and peace come from Him alone.
God is our provider, and we don’t have to hustle nonstop to meet every need.
The Sabbath Day will look different for everyone, but here are some things I do to help me unwind and allow God to restore me.
First, keep the Sabbath day Holy by opening your Bible. I have a journal Bible, and I take out my highlighters and sticky notes and get creative as I posture my heart to hear from the Lord.
I never get to spend as much time in my Bible as I would like, so this is the perfect day to do so!
Pray throughout the day and be sensitive to the Lord’s voice by pausing and being still.
You can do something quiet and away from screens, such as doing a puzzle or diamond painting. These activities help you think while giving that feeling of “doing” something. It’s a great time to ponder on what you read that morning in your Bible.
The Sabbath Day is the perfect day for that soak in the tub with some Epsom salt. I love to throw on some worship instrumentals during this time. There is nothing like a relaxing, warm bath to unwind.
I know cooking on the Sabbath can be seen as controversial, but it depends on whether you hate cooking and it feels like a chore or if it is something you love to do and helps you relax.
At this point in life, it is probably not something you’ll find me doing on the Sabbath.
For my family, gathering on the couch and watching our favorite football team (Go Texans!) is something we love to do. Screens can also be controversial, but this works for us.
I love when Jesus and His disciples get reprimanded by Pharisees for picking grain on the Sabbath, and Jesus explains how the Sabbath shouldn’t be practiced in a legalistic way.
In Mark 2:27, Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Honoring the Sabbath is a commandment, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about intentionally leaning into God and seeking rest in Him.
Sundays are also the best day to plop down and read a novel. I LOVE reading a good book, and this is the day I do most of my reading.
You may instantly have one thought: “I have kids, and there is no way they will allow me to do these relaxing things.”
This is the perfect time to explain to your kids the commandment that calls us to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Allow them to do their puzzles, read a book, and walk with them in nature.
Just be aware it won’t go perfectly, and it may bring some frustration when it isn’t a thoroughly relaxing day, but I think this also presents an opportunity to bond with your kids more intimately while taking all the chores and tasks off your to-do list.
If you’re looking for ways to grow in God as a busy mom not just on the Sabbath, you should check out my post, Seek God as a Busy Mom With These 7 Principles.
Honoring the Sabbath isn’t about perfect timing or checking off a box; it’s about leaning into God and trusting that He is enough to sustain us.
He is our ultimate Provider and Source, and dedicating one day a week to trust Him with our time will bless us in ways we can’t imagine.
So here I am, showing up later than planned with this post, but hopefully with more to offer you, and understanding that rest and well-being is what allows us to show up as our best for others.
