Let’s talk about resting without guilt today. For the longest time, I believed that slowing down meant I was being lazy. If I wasn’t cleaning, working on my business, posting on social media, or checking something off my list, I felt guilty. Maybe you’ve felt that too?
Those little lies creep in:
- “You’re behind.”
- “You should be doing more.”
- “If you rest, you’re wasting time.”
But here’s the truth that God has been gently teaching me: rest is not laziness. Rest is His gift. It’s woven into creation itself, and when we lean into it, He restores us in ways hustle never could.
What the Bible Says About Rest
From the very beginning, God showed us the beauty of slowing down.
- Genesis 2:2–3 – 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 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.
After six days of creating the world, God rested.
- Exodus 20:8–10 – 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 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.
Rest was so important that He wrote it into the Ten Commandments.
- Matthew 11:28 – Jesus whispers to us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
- Psalm 127:2 – In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves.
When we rest, we’re not falling behind—we’re trusting God to hold everything together, even while we pause.
Why Rest Feels Hard
The world shouts that our value is in how much we do. Hustle culture says “faster, more, now.” And if we stop, we feel like we’re failing.
But God whispers something much softer:
- Your productivity doesn’t measure your worth. It’s found in Me. (1 John 3:1)
- You don’t have to hustle for My love. You already have it. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
Cozy Ways to Rest Without Guilt
Rest doesn’t only mean taking a nap (though that’s a gift too!). Sometimes it looks like slowing down with small, soul-filling rhythms. Here are some cozy ways to rest that can refill your heart:
1. Coloring for Peace
Coloring is calming and helps quiet the mind. It’s like giving your brain a warm cup of tea. Try these free pages:
- Free Scripture Coloring Pages from Out Upon the Waters
- 36 Fall Coloring Pages from Simply Love Coloring
2. Simple DIYs That Bring Calm
Sometimes using our hands creatively is the most restful thing we can do. Here are a few gentle DIYs:
- Homemade Soy Candles (so cozy for evenings at home)
- DIY Scripture Wall Art (a reminder of truth for your walls)
- Easy Bath Salt Recipe (perfect for a quiet soak at the end of the day)
3. Daily Rhythms of Rest
Rest doesn’t have to be big or fancy. It can be as simple as:
- Sipping a warm drink while reading a psalm.
- Stepping outside to breathe in the fresh air.
- Writing a gratitude list.
- Going for a walk.
- Putting on soft worship music and letting it wash over you.
A Gentle Reminder
Rest isn’t wasted time—it’s holy time. It’s a way of saying, “Lord, I trust You more than I trust my hustle.”
The next time guilt whispers, “You should be doing more,” remind your heart: God has already finished the most important work through Jesus. You are free to rest in Him.
👉 Next week, we’ll settle in for a heart-to-heart on how to truly believe that rest is a gift from God—even when we’ve spent years thinking otherwise. I can’t wait to explore this with you!
Want to find peace in the middle of chaos? Check out this post or this one on finding peace in a distracted world.