Why Rest Is the First Step to Recovery (Not a Sign of Weakness)
I’ve been there.
Laying on the couch, body too heavy to move, mind racing with everything I “should” be doing.
The dishes. The emails. The pacing protocol that’s supposed to fix everything. (But seldom really does… and it also takes weeks or months sometimes!) And in the middle of it all, the loudest thought wasn’t “I’m tired.”
It was: “What’s wrong with me that I can’t just push through?”
If you’ve ever felt that — if rest brings more guilt than relief — this is for you.
You’re not lazy. You’re healing.
And healing requires rest.
What the World Got Wrong About Rest
We were raised on hustle.
“Push through.”
“Productivity equals worth.”
“If you’re not exhausted, you’re not trying hard enough.”
It’s no wonder so many of us feel ashamed for resting — especially when that rest is unplanned, unwanted, and unproductive by the world’s standards.
But let’s be clear: you’re not resting because you’re lazy — you’re resting because your body is waving a white flag.
For women navigating chronic illness, trauma recovery, or long seasons of burnout, rest isn’t indulgence.
It’s necessary maintenance.
Healing Rest vs. Resignation
Now, let’s address the fear bubbling underneath:
“What if I’ve just given up?”
“What if I’m not doing enough to get better?”
Here’s the truth: rest and resignation might look similar on the outside — stillness, quiet, lack of activity — but inside, they’re worlds apart.
Resignation says, “There’s no hope, so why bother.”
Healing rest says, “My body matters, and I’m worth slowing down for.”
One is surrender to despair.
The other is sacred surrender to restoration.
When Science and Scripture Say the Same Thing
Rest isn’t just spiritual — it’s physiological. (Which basically means your nervous system isn’t being dramatic — it’s doing its job.)
In fact, your nervous system requires true rest to function well.
When you rest intentionally, even for a few minutes:
- Your parasympathetic system (the “rest and digest” mode) activates
- Cortisol drops, inflammation lowers
- Digestion improves, sleep deepens
- Trauma loops begin to quiet
And yes, it’s Biblical too:
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:2–3
Notice — He doesn’t ask you to earn the green pastures.
He makes you lie down because He knows: rest restores.
Give Yourself Permission
This may be the hardest part — not physically lying down, but emotionally allowing it.
Permission is powerful.
So here’s yours:
✅ You are allowed to rest without finishing the laundry.
✅ You are allowed to rest even if you didn’t “get enough done.”
✅ You are allowed to rest just because your body asks you to.
Resting doesn’t mean you’ve given up.
It means you’re giving your body space to come back online.
Resting isn’t failing.
It’s faith — the kind that says, “God, I trust You’ll carry me while I heal.”
Ready to Try a New Kind of Rest?
If your body is whispering (or shouting), “Please stop,” I’d love to walk with you through a gentler rhythm.
The Rest Reset is a free 5-day guide designed for women in recovery from burnout, trauma, and chronic fatigue.
No hustle. No shame. No pressure.
Just Scripture, stillness, and small steps toward restoration.
💛 Download the The Rest Reset Now.
A healing rhythm to help you rest without guilt — and heal without exhaustion.
If you’d like a quiet place to walk this out with others — women who are tired too, healing too, learning how to rest again too — I’d love to welcome you into our private Facebook group: Unfinished Journey.
It’s quiet in there.
No pressure. Just presence.
There’s also a short 3-Day Energy Reset waiting in the welcome post, in case your body’s craving a little extra care while you rest.
Psst… it’s also based on restful activities! 💤