Why Slowing Down Is One of the Holiest Things You Can Do

Last week, I did something radical. I rested.

I created this blog post during the week, but then I took my own advice, stepped away, and gave myself the gift of slowing down. No deadlines. No emails. No "just one more thing" before I sit down. Just real, sacred space to breathe and be still.

And let me tell you, it was glorious and it was holy. It was also something I desperately needed.

We generally think of rest as optional. Lazy, even. Something we’ll “earn” after we finish all the important things. But Scripture tells a different story. Rest isn’t something you tack on after you’ve checked every box—it’s something God Himself models. It's literally part of the first story in the Bible, that's how important rest is.

God Rested First

In the very first pages of Genesis, after six days of creation, God rests. Not because He was tired, but because rest was part of the design. It’s not a break from holiness. It is holiness.

“By the seventh day God completed the work He had been doing; so He rested.” Genesis 2:2

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus follows that rhythm too. Over and over again, He withdraws to a quiet place to pray. Sometimes for a few hours, sometimes overnight, but always intentionally. And always right before or after something big.

Even the Jesus needed rest before the next mountain.

Why We Resist Rest (and Why We Need It)

Let’s be honest, rest doesn’t come easily. We’re taught to hustle, to prove our worth, to keep going no matter what. Slowing down feels uncomfortable—like we’re falling behind. It makes us feel guilty, like we're failing at something.

But the truth is, when we don’t rest, we fall apart. We get overwhelmed, irritable, and disconnect. Our prayers get shorter and so does our fuse for dealing with life.

Rest realigns us. It helps us hear God's quiet voice again. It opens space for His peace to settle in. And rest isn’t just physical, it’s spiritual. When we rest, we say, “God, I trust You to hold the world together without me for a while.” That’s not laziness. It’s surrender.

Practical Ways to Embrace Holy Rest

So how do we practice this kind of rest in a world that never slows down?

Here are a few small steps that can make a big difference:

• Turn off the noise. Put your phone on silent. Shut down your computer. Even just for 20–30 minutes. Let God speak in the silence.

• Step outside. Take a walk. Sit in the sun. Let creation remind you of the Creator.

• Pray slowly. No rushing. No multitasking. Just be with God in the moment.

• Create space in your week. Even just an hour on Sunday afternoon can become sacred if you treat it like a date with God instead of just downtime.

And here’s a bold one: Say no to something so you can say yes to rest. (It’s allowed. I promise.)

Rest Is a Spiritual Practice

One of the most powerful things I’ve learned recently is that rest isn’t a reward. It’s a rhythm, a discipline, and a form of trust. It’s not just about recovering from exhaustion. It’s about creating space for God to speak, and remembering that not everything has to happen "right now".

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

That invitation still stands. Not just for people who are totally burnt out (though especially for them), but for anyone who wants to live from a deeper well.

This Week’s Challenge:

Make rest intentional. Not accidental.

Carve out a few quiet minutes, an afternoon, a whole Sabbath day if you can. Offer it to God as an act of worship, and let Him meet you where you are.

Rest isn't weak. It's not selfish. It's holy. And we all need it more than we realize.

Let’s rest together.

What does holy rest look like for you right now? Share in the comments. I always read them, and I’d love to hear from you.