Rest Isn’t Lazy—It’s Necessary

As someone who wakes up between 4:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. almost every single day, the idea of staying in bed all morning has never been appealing to me. The moment my eyes open, my mind is already racing toward the next thing. Whether it’s starting my devotional and prayer time, grabbing my morning caffeine, or running through the day’s to-do list, I’m already mentally moving into the next moment.

Some days this momentum is helpful—it keeps me focused and productive. Other days, though, it breeds anxiety. I can overwhelm myself before my feet even hit the floor, and suddenly all that urgency backfires into procrastination or exhaustion. But either way, my mind is ready to do something the second I wake up.

It’s rare for me to simply pause and rest in the comfort of my bed.

But recently, over my birthday weekend, something different happened. I found myself awake at 7 a.m. on a Saturday… and still in bed. I thought, Wow. Look at me. In bed at 7 a.m. I let myself rest for a few minutes—and suddenly it was 8 a.m. Then 9 a.m. And I was still there, letting my body be still.

After a busy week, I knew I needed the rest, but letting myself actually have it wasn’t easy. There was a tug-of-war happening between my usual “go mode” and the quiet voice reminding me that rushing wasn’t required today.

With one simple pause—just a breath, a break, a moment—something softened. I realized the world wouldn’t fall apart if I slowed down. My spouse noticed, too, and told me how proud he was that I gave myself that time. Hearing that made me even more grateful that I chose to rest instead of resist.

Allowing myself those extra hours didn’t make me lazy. It made me whole. It gave me the energy I needed later in the day to be both present and productive. It was rest that led to good.

As I continue the journey of discovering who I’m becoming, this is a lesson I want to carry with me: not every day needs to be rushed. Not every moment needs to be pushed into the next one. Sometimes staying right where you are—soft, still, rested—is exactly what prepares you for whatever comes next, whenever it comes.

Reflection Question:

What is one area where rest could actually support your growth rather than slow you down?