If You Want to Grow, You Have to Learn to Rest

by Rick Warren — March 6, 2019

“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 TLB).

When we started Saddleback Church, I was working 18 hours a day. Kay cooked meals and hosted people in our home twice a week. We had every member of our church in our home at least once during those first two years. On the last Sunday of the first year, I stood up to speak—and fainted. I was worn out from physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational exhaustion.

Over the next year, God taught me some things about balance—which I’ve had to learn over and over again since then. Here’s what I learned: God won’t give you everything he promised all at once. It could be you’re not prepared to handle it all, or it could be it’s too much for you to manage until you mature. God’s promises may be filled little by little as you grow.

The Bible says in Psalm 127:2, “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” (TLB).

When I collapsed at church, I realized resistance to rest is immaturity. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is the church or anything else that is worthwhile.

While God is growing your business, he’s growing you. While God is growing your children, he’s growing you. While God is growing your career, he’s growing you. For you to grow, you have to learn to rest in God’s goodness.

Talk It Over

  • What are your reasons for overworking at home, school, or work?
  • Where is your focus when you overwork?
  • Based on your daily schedule, which is your higher priority: finishing your to-do list or growing spiritually? Why?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.