Tag: #rest

One of the Best Ways to Strengthen Your Faith Journey
Do you ever wonder how you can strengthen your faith walk? The answer comes from a guest post by Hannah Rowen Fry, the author of The Way of Gratitude, who explains how rest can be one of the best ways to strengthen your faith journey.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

“You were made for more.”

This phrase or some variation of it is shared often in creative circles. And it should be! You were made for more. Who you currently are and what you’ve currently done are not the end of you; there is more to your future. More dreaming. More growth. More becoming who God made you to be.

And more rest.

Rest is one of the most important parts of the Christian life when it comes to living according to your God-purpose and being all he has called you to be. However, Sabbath and Sabbatical are among the least practiced spiritual rhythms. What if embracing rest is what enables you to embrace the more? What if rest is part of the purpose God has called you to?

Why should we rest more?

Here’s a brief theology of rest:
- First, rest is woven throughout our faith. Beginning with the Creator’s rest in Genesis 2:2 and the land rest in Leviticus 25:4, rest is carried through the New Testament, where it’s described as a promise in Hebrews 4. There is a clear, consistent narrative throughout Scripture to prioritize rest.
- Second, resting is one way we bear the image of God. In the creation story, we learn that we are made in God’s image and that he rested. It’s no surprise that rest is rejuvenating! Rest makes us more of who we are, of who God made us, because it echoes him. It allows us to feel more like ourselves because it’s one way we bear the image of our Creator.
- Finally, rest rhythms are found in every part of nature. We see rest most prominently in the changing seasons. In the winter, everything slows down a bit; plants become dormant, and the night is longer. Our world no longer relies on sunlight to indicate when to work and when to stop, so it’s easy for us to ignore these natural triggers. But God has instructed us to resist temptation, not the natural rest rhythm he initiated.
How do we rest more?

It sounds like an oxymoron, but it takes work to rest. Whether it’s a weekly Sabbath, a yearly retreat, or a Sabbatical every seven years, our rest must be scheduled.

That’s step one – get it on the calendar! Book a Sabbath day this week or next and protect it like any other meeting, appointment, or vacation you’ve booked.

Next, design what your rest will look like. The spiritual rhythm of rest shouldn’t feel like a lazy day or a sick day. This is intentional rest with God; it’s a joyful time of worship and rejuvenation. A Sabbath day will look different for everyone because this kind of rest is about connecting with your purpose, and each person has a different God-given purpose.

For example, my Sabbath includes sleeping in, reading Scripture and other books, journaling, doing puzzles, going for walks in nature, and eating my favorite foods. I like to be alone or with my husband or close friends on these days. But my husband’s ideal Sabbath involves no one but him and God. He’ll even keep the curtains and blinds closed, turning our home into a cave! Each of us rests in ways aligned with who God made us – our personalities, temperaments, and passions.

Finally, remember that Jesus rested. When we read the gospels and examine the work of Jesus’ ministry, we see he actively pursued rest almost as often as he worked. He didn’t heal, teach, and save without withdrawing from the crowds. Jesus went to the mountain, the wilderness, the garden, and the boat to get away from people and his purpose so he could rest. I wonder if part of his purpose was to rest.

You were made for more. More achieving. More growth. And more rest. I pray your future will be full of holy rest as you become more of who God made you to be.

About the Author

Hannah Rowen Fry is a writer, speaker, and encourager. Her writing consists of observations of daily life and uses daily reflections to guide others to live out their God-given purpose. Hannah’s passion is to help others experience greater joy in the present moment. Hannah lives in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with her husband Matt and spends most of her free time walking on the beach, frolicking around Disney World, and listening to Taylor Swift. Her latest book is The Way of Gratitude: 21 Devotions of Goodness, Gratitude, and Wonder.

Find her online at:

Her website: https://www.hannahrowenfry.com

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/hannahrowenfry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannah.rowen
January 27, 2024
How to Take a Break as a Creative Entrepreneur to Avoid Burnout

You know that feeling when you’ve been on your feet for hours or days, and the only thing you want to do is sit down? I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve felt like this. As a creative entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the work we have to do, not taking time for ourselves.

In addition, what about our health? Our well-being? These are just as important as getting our work done. Burnout is a real problem that creative entrepreneurs face. Many of us struggle with taking breaks, and we end up working ourselves into the ground. God’s word reminds us:

It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. (Psalm 127:2)

In today’s post, I’ll be sharing with you how to rest and reset your creativity so you can avoid burnout and return to your projects refreshed.

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Changing your perception about taking a break can help you find balance as a creative entrepreneur.

I know many creative entrepreneurs who never take a break from work and refuse to disconnect. Collapsing at the end of every day isn’t healthy for any individual; creative entrepreneurs must balance work and rest. Tell yourself it’s okay to take a break when you need one. Ask God to give you the strength to let go, especially when you need a break.

Schedule dedicated time to rest and refresh.

Set aside dates on your calendar for vacation time or mental health days. If you work with an office team, let them know which times you will be out of the office and share any specific instructions about how they should proceed in your absence. Add time with God to your daily schedule. If you only have a few minutes, read scriptures or a daily devotional.

Figure out the type of rest you need before taking a break.

There are different types of rest. If you’ve been waking up early and going to bed late, you may need physical rest. After launching a product that took months to develop, you may need mental rest. If you’re feeling disconnected from God, you may need spiritual rest that allows you time to pray and fast. Once you figure out the type of rest you need, plan your break around this type of rest.

Create an “idea box” for writing your thoughts and ideas

One of the great things about being a creative entrepreneur is that inspiration can strike any time. During your break, if an idea pops in your head, put it in your “idea box.” Your idea box can be a notebook or Post-It notes. When you have an idea, jot it down quickly, then return to what you were doing (which, hopefully, is nothing).

Use the downtime to finally complete projects you’ve been putting off.

If you want to take a break from your business, but you don’t want to disconnect your brain from all forms of work completely, perhaps you should complete a household project. For example, if you always wanted to tidy up the Marie Kondo way, your downtime may be a perfect opportunity to organize your clothes or books. But don’t overdo it. Your break should not be overwhelming or exhausting. Nor should it focus on working too hard.

Don’t forget to include exercise during your downtime.

Whether you decide to take a break for one day or two weeks, don’t forget to include exercise. Even if you only have 30 minutes, add at least one workout to your day off. Research shows exercise improves body image, self-esteem, and mental health. You don’t have to sign up for a turbo cycling class. If possible, go for a walk or play outside with your kiddos.

Have fun!

In trying to get away from the day-to-day grind of your business, remember why you took a break. Don’t add to your stress by adding a bunch of new projects. Instead, have fun on your day off. Play games, watch movies, spend time with friends and family.

It’s easy to forget that we all need downtime. But, when you take a break from your hectic work schedule and focus on yourself for a change, it can do wonders for your productivity. Hopefully, the tips outlined here help get you started. So, don’t be afraid to schedule time away from the office or your business. You deserve a break. Let me know what works best for you.

August 19, 2021