Doing More By Doing Less: The Hidden Benefits of Observing a Day of Rest

In a fast-paced world where people are on the go 24/7, slowing down is hard. 

We assume that slowing down leads to missing out, and nobody wants that. So we do everything in our power to keep up with the world even if that means pushing ourselves to the point of burnout.

God knew that we would do this. He knew that we'd push ourselves beyond our limits, even if it caused us mental and physical stress. That's why in Mark 2:27, Jesus said: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."

From the beginning of creation we were created to set one day a week aside for rest and worship (i.e., the Sabbath (/ˈsæbəθ/) or Shabbat (from Hebrew שַׁבָּת Šabat).

The Sabbath isn't just a commandment, it's a gift from God that was made for our benefit. He wants us to have a day of rest so that we can be physically, emotionally and spiritually rejuvenated.  

He wants us to trust Him despite our lack of effort for that day, and He wants to bless us beyond our imagination.  

Common Reasons Not to Observe a Sabbath Day of Rest

Like so many people in our generation, for years I didn't keep the Sabbath. 

I always had a valid excuse too. When I was employed I'd say that I can't risk losing my job. When I started my business, I'd say I can't miss opportunities. When I felt overwhelmed, I'd say that losing a day might make it worse so God would understand. 

While everything I said may have been true, I was missing the point. I was refusing to accept one of the most amazing gifts from God, and when I finally did, it changed my life. 

Now, I no longer toil for 7 days a week only to feel burned out and unfulfilled in the end. Instead, I work with complete diligence for 6 and rely fully on God for the 7th. 

Since the day I started keeping the Sabbath, my life has improved in more ways than I can put into words, and I'm so grateful.  

I've learned that 6 days of work with God's blessing is so much better than 7 days without it. I've also learned that there are 4 primary benefits of keeping the Sabbath: 

It Deepens Your Relationship with God

The Sabbath is an appointment with God. 

When we keep the Sabbath, we prove to God, ourselves, and others that nothing in the world is more important than Him. 

We make Him a priority and focus on Him throughout the day without distractions or the need for control. We rest in Him; we trust Him and completely rely on His provision.  

It might be hard at first. You may need to risk a lot, but know that it is perfectly okay to take God at His Word, He never disappoints those who trust in Him. 

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 If God allowed the Israelites to pick up extra manna on the 6th day just so they didn't need to work on the 7th, He will do the same for you (Exodus 16: 26-30).  

Keeping the Sabbath and watching God provide for you week after week will enable you to trust Him more than you ever thought possible. 

You will know without a shadow of a doubt that everything you are and everything you have is only because of Him. You'll be able to rest in the fact that He is with you.

It Enriches Your Relationships With People

The Sabbath sets you free from the chaotic pace of the week. It's a day you can relax, fellowship, and talk to the people you love without having another meeting on your mind.

It allows you to slow down and spend time with the people you strive so hard to provide for. A day you can enrich your relationships with the people that matter most.

The thing is, sometimes we don't even notice how busy we are until we slow down and realize how little we know about the people we love. 

Life is short, don't live it doing everything you have to do but nothing you want to do. 

It Improves Your Self-Awareness and Self-care

The Sabbath is a day that enables us to not only rest but also to refocus and recharge.

God gave us the sabbath because He cares about us and He cares about our wellbeing. Many of us get so busy during the week that we forget to take care of ourselves. 

When we observe a day of rest, we're able to be still, become more self-aware, and make time for self-care. We notice our patterns and we can weed out any bad ones before we get so busy again that we allow them to destroy us on the inside.

It Will Increase Your Productivity

Besides refocusing our mind, we also get to recharge our body, which leads to a much more productive week.  All work and no rest has been found to significantly decrease focus and productivity, according to a 2008 University of Illinois study. Taking regular breaks from work, on the other hand, improves it. Make sure you take breaks that are "restorative" in nature.

Final Thoughts On A Day of Rest

Getting a full day of physical and emotional rest is important because when we feel burned out we sow bad seeds and bad seeds will bear bad fruit.

Have you ever wondered why Chick-fil-A does so well despite being closed on Sundays? 

Sure their food and their marketing are awesome but it was their trust in God that made all difference. They decided to practice the Sabbath even if it meant risking profits and because of their obedience and faith in God, He did not disappoint. 

While I used to think I’d miss out if I slowed down, I now know that I’d miss out if I don’t. Because when I stopped running as fast as possible trying to catch opportunities, I started to see an abundance of blessings.

So if you're ready to stop striving so hard in order to catch the blessings God has already laid out for you, pick a day and rest. It doesn't have to be Sunday, but it should be at least a full 24 hours.

This is a decision you will never regret because the benefits of the Sabbath supersedes anything you as a human can ever do on your own. 

To do a deep dive into the benefits of rest and the Sabbath we recommend the follow books. 

Reclaiming Rest: The Promise of Sabbath, Solitude, and Stillness in a Restless WorldRemember the Sabbath: What the New Testament Says About Sabbath Observance for ChristiansSabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives

About the Author: 

Nicole Munsami a Freelance Writer at https://thewriteseeds.com. She works with Christian entrepreneurs that want to make an impact while making an income and crafts content and copy that connect and convert. However, her passion is to encourage young women to embrace their identity in Christ and live their best lives, you’ll find her blogs on https://thewriteseeds.com

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