.png)
What Burnout Taught Me About Rest
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
One day in seminary, a professor said something that stayed with me: “Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest.”
I had heard many preachers and teachers talk about rest before, but that day, I finally understood it.
For the first five years of ministry, I never took a sabbatical or intentional time to rest. If I’m being honest, there were many days I didn’t feel like I deserved it… or I questioned if the ministry could even handle it without me.
But after a panic attack, burnout, and feeling like I was on the edge of a mental breakdown, I was finally pushed into taking a sabbatical.
Now, it’s safe to say that every year, I make it a requirement to take two weeks away—away from deadlines, devotionals, meetings, and the constant demands of ministry.
Those two weeks bring me back to life.
They remind me of who I am beyond my title. I find myself going to coffee shops, reading the books that have been sitting on my shelf, baking more, and simply being present in my home instead of always rushing to the office.
Throughout this faith walk, I’ve learned something over and over again: Sometimes you don’t need to create the next sermon, design the newest graphic, run to another meeting, or build something new.
Sometimes… you just need to rest and digest the Word God has already spoken to you. Rest long enough to truly grasp it.
Because I can be a workaholic, I have to remind myself often that a sabbatical isn’t me stopping—it’s me pausing.
Pause doesn’t mean stop.
I truly believe the ministry is still standing and thriving today because God taught me how to pause:
Pause when I face defeat.
Pause when I feel stuck.
Pause when I’m overwhelmed.
Pause when hope feels far away.
Pause when the weight gets too heavy.
And then… after the pause—Get up. Wash your face. And get back to the work.
Not shutting down. Not running away like a dog with its tail tucked. But pausing just long enough for His love and assurance to wash over you—until you can stand in faith again.
No matter how far you go, never forget: Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest. 🌿
Weekly Scripture
“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”
John 5:8-9
Follow Along the Series:
Morgan Tracy J. is the founder of HDC. She believes every woman should be empowered through the Word of God