What Does The Bible Say About Rest And Relaxation?
In today’s busy world, making time for rest and relaxation can seem nearly impossible. Yet God calls us to regularly set aside time for Sabbath rest, not only for our own renewal but also as an act of faith and trust in Him.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key point: According to the Bible, proper rest and relaxation are vital for spiritual, emotional, and physical health. God commands and models a rhythm of work and rest, stressing the importance of taking one day out of every seven to cease from labor and focus on renewal by spending time in worship, community, and recreation.
The Concept of Sabbath Rest in the Old Testament
The Sabbath Established at Creation
The foundation of Sabbath rest originates at creation, as described in Genesis 2. After God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them in six days, He “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made” (Genesis 2:2).
This establishes the pattern of working for six days and resting on the seventh that became key to the Sabbath commandment.
Remembering the Sabbath Command
Later, in Exodus 20, God included the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments He gave to the Israelites after freeing them from slavery in Egypt. Specifically, He commanded: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:8-10). This command to observe the Sabbath was a perpetual sign between God and the Israelites.
Sabbath Rest as an Act of Faith
God intended Sabbath rest as an act of faith and recognition of complete dependence on Him. Observing a full day of rest from work on the designated Sabbath day was a demonstration of the Israelites’ trust that God would provide for all their needs.
Keeping the Sabbath holy meant dedicating time for spiritual rejuvenation through prayer and reflection on God’s goodness.
According to a 2021 Pew Research report, only 68% of U.S. adults considered themselves Christians in 2021, down from 77% in 2009. This decline highlights the continual need to revitalize our understanding of foundational biblical principles like Sabbath rest.
Jesus’s Teachings on Rest
Jesus Prioritizes Rest and Solitude
The Gospels highlight how Jesus himself practiced regular habits of rest and retreat. According to the Gospel of Mark, “rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35).
This passage reveals Jesus’s discipline of beginning his days in quiet communion with God before embarking on his demanding ministry of preaching and healing. Jesus models for his followers the importance of balancing work with intentional times of spiritual renewal.
In the classic story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was asleep in the boat while his disciples feared they might perish in the tempest (Mark 4:35-41). The scene underscores Jesus’s practice of setting aside designated times for physical rest amid his tireless ministry.
Even when facing adverse circumstances, Jesus remained composed by maintaining consistent rhythms of rejuvenation.
Rest for the Weary and Burdened
Not only did Jesus exemplify rest in his own life but he urged it upon others. When beginning his public ministry, Jesus proclaimed, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Jesus extended soul-renewing rest as a gift available to all who followed him. His burden-lifting presence brings respite to people’s chaotic lives.
Likewise, in offering the Sabbath as a day of cessation from work, Jesus emphasized rest as a divine blessing rather than rigid legal demand. While religious leaders burdened people with extra Sabbath restrictions, Jesus affirmed, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
God designed Sabbath rhythms for human flourishing, not spiritual bondage.
As evidenced throughout his ministry, Jesus continually acted as a comforting, rest-giving refuge to the worn out and oppressed. His gentleness still speaks today: “Come to me…and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
Sabbath Rest as Part of Healthy Rhythms
Ceasing from Work One Day a Week
Taking a full day of rest from work each week is a key principle taught in the Bible. The fourth commandment instructs us to “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). God established a weekly rhythm of six days of work followed by one day of rest.
This is an important pattern for maintaining balance and health in our lives.
In today’s busy world, observing true sabbath rest can be challenging. It requires us to set healthy boundaries around our work and consciously cease from labor, business activities, and seeking personal profit one day each week. But carving out this weekly rest can provide immense benefits.
The Health Benefits of Rest and Relaxation
Regular and adequate rest, including a full day off each week, is vital for our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Reduces stress and burnout: Unplugging from work recharges our minds and bodies.
- Promotes better sleep: Rest rejuvenates us and prepares us for a good night’s sleep.
- Strengthens relationships: Sabbath provides time to connect meaningfully with family and friends.
- Enhances creativity: Down time opens space for new ideas and inspiration to flow.
- Deepens spiritual life: Resting and reflecting on God renews our spirit.
- Improves health: Taking a break from work lowers risk for health issues like heart disease.
God wisely instituted the sabbath knowing how essential rest is for holistic health and wellbeing. Setting aside work and giving ourselves permission to slow down, even for just a day, can work wonders.
Overcoming Barriers to Regular Rest
Despite understanding the importance of sabbath, many of us struggle to practice it consistently. What are some common barriers and how can we overcome them?
Busyness and lack of boundaries: Our culture glorifies busyness, but God calls us to honor rest. Being intentional about blocking off a full day for sabbath and shelving nonessential tasks takes discipline.Fear of missing out: FOMO can make us think we’ll miss something critical if we totally unplug for a day. But letting go of work for a while will not make our world fall apart. God is in control.Guilt about rest: We often feel lazy or unproductive when resting. But God did not design sabbath as solely for our benefit. He also instituted it as a rule for all our good (Mark 2:27).
With intention and grace, we can honor God through life-giving weekly sabbath rest. Our bodies, minds and spirits all need this sacred time set apart to pause and be fully present with God.
The Spiritual Value of Rest and Recreation
Sabbath Delight, Joy, and Celebration
The Bible teaches that the Sabbath day should be a time of joyful celebration of God’s goodness (Isaiah 58:13-14). By resting from our normal work and focusing on God, we can experience the delight and rejuvenation that comes from His presence.
Making time for recreation, hobbies, and relationships is one way to honor the Sabbath. Laughter, music, festive meals, and other forms of rejoicing are appropriate on this holy day.
Recreation and Enjoyment of God’s Creation
God created a beautiful world for us to enjoy. Spending time outdoors appreciating His handiwork can rejuvenate our spirits. Taking a nature walk, going for a swim, playing sports, gardening, and pursuing creative hobbies are all ways to connect with God through His creation.
The Bible says “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Honoring the Sabbath includes enjoying the goodness of the natural world He made.
The Gift of Peace and Contentment
By resting from work one day a week, we acknowledge that God is the true provider of all we need. This cultivates an attitude of trust and contentment. The busyness of life can easily lead to discontent, frustration and anxiety.
Setting aside our never-ending to-do lists to rest and focus on God restores peace and perspective. We remember that our worth comes not from our productivity but from God’s love. We relinquish control and thank God for His provision.
The Sabbath gift of rest and recreation nourishes our souls with serenity in Him.
Conclusion
Far from being a legalistic requirement, Sabbath rest contains rich meaning as a reminder of God’s providence, sovereignty, and grace towards His people. According to Scripture, taking one day out of seven for spiritual and physical renewal is a key practice for maintaining health, peace, balance, and trust in the Lord even during busy seasons.
When honored faithfully, Sabbath leads to blessings of joy, delight, and celebration in what the Lord has done.
