The Ledger

By Becky Holland

Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing that being constantly exhausted was something to be proud of.

We run from one responsibility to another. We answer messages late at night. We carry worry into the morning and stress into the evening. We feel guilty when we sit down too long. Even rest starts feeling like laziness.

But lately, I’ve been thinking about something simple.

Rest is biblical.

Not just sleep. Not quitting. Not giving up.

Rest.

The kind that allows your mind to breathe. The kind that reminds you that you are human and not designed to carry the entire weight of the world on your shoulders.

Even Jesus rested.

Throughout Scripture, we see moments where He stepped away from crowds, noise and demands. He prayed. He paused. He withdrew to quiet places. And if the Son of God understood the importance of rest, maybe we should stop acting like we are supposed to function like machines.

Mental Health Awareness Month has prompted a lot of conversations this May, and I think one many people need to hear is this:

Being tired does not make you weak.

Needing quiet does not make you selfish.

Taking care of your mental and emotional health does not mean your faith is failing.

Life can be heavy sometimes. Caregiving is heavy. Grief is heavy. Worry is heavy. Raising children, paying bills, working long hours, helping aging parents, trying to be strong for everyone else — all of it adds up.

And sometimes the healthiest, holiest thing a person can do is simply rest.

Not forever. Not giving up on responsibilities. But allowing yourself moments to pause without guilt.

To sit on the porch.

To pray quietly.

To take a walk.

To read Scripture slowly instead of rushing through it.

To laugh with people you love.

To put the phone down.

To breathe.

God never asked us to destroy ourselves trying to prove our worth.

Sometimes we honor Him best not by constantly running, but by trusting Him enough to stop for a moment and remember that He is still God even when we rest.

And maybe more people in Bleckley County need to hear that.