Finding Rest: A Nurse\'s Perspective on Sabbath and Self-Care
As a nurse, I have spent countless night shifts watching over people at their most vulnerable. I have also learned, the hard way, what happens to caregivers who never let themselves be cared for. Rest is not a luxury — it is a command, woven into creation itself.
Why rest is sacred, not lazy
In Genesis, God rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired, but because He was modeling something for us: rhythm matters. Our bodies and souls were designed to work and to rest, and ignoring one half of that rhythm eventually breaks us.
What burnout looks like from the inside
In nursing, we call it compassion fatigue — the slow erosion of empathy that comes from giving and giving without refilling. Spiritually, it looks similar: serving in ministry or family life until your own soul runs dry.
Practical ways to practice Sabbath rest
- Set one day a week, even just a few hours, where you do no \"productive\" work.
- Turn off notifications during that time so your mind can actually disengage.
- Spend time in stillness — prayer, a walk, silence — not just entertainment.
- Say no to one thing this week that you would normally feel obligated to say yes to.
Rest as an act of trust
Choosing to rest is choosing to believe that the world, your job, and even your ministry can survive without you for a few hours. That is a deeply spiritual act of surrender.
If you are running on empty, let this be your permission slip: rest is not quitting. It is how you keep going well.
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