Rest As Worship: Honoring God by Honoring Your Body
- Hewlette Pearson
- Feb 2
- 4 min read
A good friend once told me, “Rest is spiritual warfare.” At first, I could not imagine how that could be true. But as I matured in my walk with God, and began to understand the role rest plays in spiritual renewal, I gained a clearer understanding of why the battle for rest is so fiercely waged against us by the enemy of our souls.
There is destabilization that the enemy desires to bring into our lives so that we do not become focused, renewed, and strengthened for the challenges we face along life’s journey. The enemy’s modus operandi is to create chaos, distraction, and anxiety so that we do not produce effectively, hear God clearly, or see Him in the obvious things of life.
Rest is a tool we can use to prepare, equip, and fortify ourselves to be more effective in what our hands are assigned to accomplish. Without proper rest, physically, spiritually, and emotionally we become vulnerable to sickness and fatigue. We grow impatient, anxious, irritable, shortsighted, and hard of hearing to the voice of God.
I sometimes say to friends who operate with an “Energizer Bunny” mindset that God is a Spirit and even He rested after creating the earth. In all honesty, this is something many of us struggle with. If we could, we would squeeze another three to four hours into a day just to complete more tasks.
I believe God continues to call out to us to make space for rest. Scripture is replete with encouragement to do just that. Let’s try a few verses on for size:
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psalms 23:1-3 NLT
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 KJV
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. Matthew 11:29 AMP.
One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 NASB2020
With people vying for our attention, family, ministry, and work obligations, and the constant attempt to balance it all, rest can feel like a waste of time. “I could be doing something, checking off another task on my list,” some of us have said, not realizing that life will go on with or without us. Taking moments for ourselves, moments to rest blesses the body, and I believe it pleases the Lord.
Did you know that God even gave orders to Israel to allow the farmland to rest every 7th year? “While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Lord said to him, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you have entered the land I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath rest before the Lord every seventh year. …During the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord’s Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year.” Leviticus 25:1-2, 4 NLT
This was a time of rest dedicated to the Lord, the Maker of all things. Even the animals that helped work the land were given a year of rest. If God commanded rest for the farmland, we should certainly understand that He expects us to care for our bodies through rest as well.
But what does that rest look like? It can take many forms and practices. Here are a few by Dr. Tolulope Olabintan:
Daily Prayer Check-Ins - Prayer doesn’t have to be confined to morning devotion or a quiet corner. It’s an ongoing conversation with God: “Lord, thank You. Lord, help me. Lord, give me strength.” These short whispers throughout the day remind you that He is near, providing rest and strength moment by moment.
Mind Detox
Bad news sells, but you don’t need to consume everything. Protect your mental space by limiting negativity and filling your mind with what is good and uplifting.
“Prioritize Sleep - Quality sleep allows the brain to reset and rejuvenate. Shut off screens early, jot down lingering thoughts, and give your body permission to rest fully.
Healthy Boundaries- Learn to say no when necessary, whether to toxic conversations, overcommitments, or distractions. Boundaries protect your emotional health and create space for what truly matters.
Physical Rest - True spiritual rest is connected to the body as well. Taking a day to pause, sleep well, and reflect on God’s presence keeps you grounded in His peace.
Meditation - Your mind often replays “soundtracks” of worry or fear. Meditation allows you to change the playlist, to focus on God’s Word, past victories, and His promises. This shift in mental soundtrack invites peace and clarity.
Worship Breaks - Whether on-key or off-key, worship refreshes the spirit. A simple song, a hum, or music playing in the background can lift your heart and draw you closer to God.
According to Olabintan, ”Rest is not laziness, it is wisdom. By caring for your spirit, soul, and body, you position yourself to live well, to enjoy God’s presence, and to pursue your goals with renewed energy.”
Right now, you’re probably thinking of other ways you could rest: going on a trip by the water; shutting down your phone and social media for a few days to simply unwind; taking a mini-vacation or staycation and treating yourself the way you would a guest, and that is good. But truly take that step to taking care of yourself. You deserve the very best. You are God’s highest creation, made in His image and likeness. Therefore, you must do what He did as Spirit, rest.
Reference:
Olabintan, Tolulope, MD, DipABLM, FAAFP. How To Enjoy Rest: Spirit, Soul And Body. Living Family Medical Center. October 1, 2025. Accessed January 30, 2026.
Comments