The Importance of Rest: How Renewal Fuels Resilience

Rest Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Leadership Necessity

In today’s fast-paced world, rest often feels like a guilty pleasure, something you do when your to-do list is finally empty. But the truth is, rest isn’t a reward for work completed—it’s fuel for the work ahead. If you’re in leadership, high demand, or high service roles, understanding the power of rest is vital. Rest is not the opposite of productivity; it is a vital part of it. So, let’s look at the importance of rest.

A lounge chair at a sunny resort with an untouched glass of iced tea on a side table and an open book beside it—serene and immersive, evoking relaxation and personal reflection. — A moment just for you.

The Power of Renewal and the Importance of Rest

Rest isn’t just about sleep. It’s about renewal. Physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental renewal. When we push ourselves without pause, our minds become foggy, our tempers shorten, and our ability to lead suffers. True rest restores clarity, sharpens decision-making, and renews the compassion needed to lead well.

Scripture underscores this: “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NLT). Even Jesus withdrew to rest. If He needed time away from the crowd, how much more do we?

A Personal Reminder: When Rest Was the Remedy

Several years ago, I went through one of the most intense seasons of my life. I was working 16 hours a day, six days a week, and even on Sundays I squeezed in another 4 to 6 hours. I was driven—and completely drained. My body was running on fumes, my mind was cluttered, and sleep had become elusive for four months straight.

That’s when my best friend, who happens to be a doctor, sat me down and gave me a simple but stern prescription: You have to rest.

So when a wedding took us to Houston, I made a bold move. I booked two nights at a nearby resort. The first full day there, I went to the adult pool. Now, I never go into the pool. But I found a shaded lounge chair with a small table, and I just sat there—reading, thinking, praying, clearing my head. I wore the poor poolside server out with my constant iced tea refills. And that night, for the first time in months, I slept through the entire night. I woke up the next morning feeling like a completely different person—refreshed, renewed, and reminded of who I was apart from my work.

A graphic-style fuel gauge with the needle shifting from “Empty” to “Full” as "Rest" is added—visually representing the vital role of downtime in recharging our energy. — Rest fuels everything.

Why Leaders Must Normalize Rest

We often wear our exhaustion like a badge of honor. But burnout is not a prerequisite for effectiveness. In fact, a burned-out leader is a risk to their team. When you rest:

You lead with more patience.
You respond with more clarity.
You listen more attentively.
You recover your creativity.

Rest empowers you to show up as your best self.

Practical Ways to Incorporate Rest:

Schedule breaks like appointments. Don’t cancel them.
Take one full day off each week. (Yes, the whole day!)
Unplug daily. Even 30 minutes of screen-free, quiet time matters.
Get outside. Nature has a remarkable way of resetting the mind.
Honor your sleep. Set boundaries to protect your nightly rest.

Join the Conversation

We want to hear from you:

When was a time you finally rested and found renewal?
What boundaries have you created to protect your peace?

Comment below and share your story.

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