Elize About Faith

Over the past several weeks, I have faced a great deal of unexplained exhaustion and widespread body pain. No matter what I did, nothing helped me feel better—nothing helped me feel truly rested or recovered. Naturally, I leaned on all the self-care tools I’ve learned over my years as a therapist, but the effects were always short-lived.

Throughout all of this, I was praying, reading my Bible, listening to online sermons and podcasts, worship music, and even listening to Scripture while cooking and caring for my home and family—tirelessly striving to fit God into my day. Yet I did not feel fulfilled or joyful. I felt drained. And sad.

I couldn’t understand why I felt spiritually and physically exhausted. What was I doing wrong?

I also wrestled with the fact that some nights I was so tired that I couldn’t stay awake during prayer, or that I would fall asleep while reading the Bible. So I tried to “cram” God into the moments when I was awake, alert, and busy. For a while, I thought this was working—until I realized it wasn’t deepening my relationship with Jesus at all. It felt interrupted and shallow. I didn’t feel the closeness and connection I longed for with Him.

Then it hit me like a brick.

I was not being still with God, as He commands us to be.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

— Psalm 46:10

I was trying to fit my faith into any available mental space in my life, but the one thing missing was stillness. The stillness I deeply yearned for with Him—but couldn’t seem to find or settle into. Just the two of us, without interruptions, distractions, or the usual family demands. Simply being still. Not always talking at Him in prayer, but slowing down, stopping, being quiet, and listening.

Yesterday—Sunday, our Sabbath day—the day God gave His people as a day of rest, I chose to obey His command to stop and rest. To rest my body, to rest my mind, and to rest my soul in Him.

And I am so glad I listened.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work.” — Genesis 2:2

The Sabbath was never meant to be a burden or a rigid rule—it was created as a gift.

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:27

Usually, after getting home from work, I jump straight into cooking, cleaning, and preparing for the next day. But again, I listened to the gentle encouragement to slow down, stop, and rest. So I did. I took a full hour to rest and connect with my children. And afterward, I had more energy to tend to my home—and I finished everything in good time.

I often speak about the importance of being still with God, but somewhere along the way, I lost that balance myself. Over these past few weeks, God has been teaching me to truly use the Sabbath as a day of rest, just as He commanded—not out of obligation, but out of love. Out of His care for our wellbeing. Out of His desire for us to rest and reconnect with Him.

Trying to squeeze time with God into the busiest moments of my life proved to be ineffective. He desires our undivided attention—not a heart split between distractions and interruptions. He calls us to be rested enough to be still with Him.

We often read the first chapter of Genesis as the story of creation, but I never really noticed this before: God created man on the sixth day, and on the seventh day, He rested. Our almighty God—who does not need rest—set an example for His children, made in His image and likeness.

“So God created mankind in His own image.” — Genesis 1:27

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves.” — Psalm 127:2

God invites us to give Him the space He deserves—time that is unhurried, undistracted, and fully surrendered. He wants us to rest in Him, to find peace in His presence, and to be reminded of His deep, unfailing love.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.” — Psalm 23:1–3

Prayer

Dear Lord our God,

Our Savior and the Ruler of all things,

We thank You for giving us the command to rest on the Sabbath—a day You lovingly set aside for our good. Thank You for inviting us into Your presence, where our souls can be refreshed and strengthened by Your love.

Lord, I thank You for revealing to me the need to rest—not only for my own wellbeing, but so that I may hear Your voice more clearly.

I lift up every reader who has come here searching for You. Please reveal what You desire to do in their lives, and make Your will known to them.

Father, forgive us for our sins—those we knowingly commit, and those we may not yet recognize. Bring conviction where it is needed, always wrapped in Your grace.

Thank You for Your mercy, and for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins so that we may be saved and draw near to You.

I pray that You would reveal Your heart to those who do not yet know You. Show them Your love, Your mercy, and the hope that is found in salvation through Jesus Christ.

Our Father in heaven, thank You for being near. You are just, You are faithful, and You are good. Blessed are You, our God.

I pray this in Jesus’ name,

Amen.