“We must have some room to breathe. We need freedom to think and permission to heal. Our relationships are being starved to death by velocity.” — Dr. Richard Swenson, The Overload Syndrome
In our fast-paced, always-on world, these words ring true. We’re overloaded—physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. But what if the antidote to our exhaustion isn’t doing more, but doing less? Today, let’s look at rest from a biblical perspective.
What Is Margin?
Margin is the “room to breathe” that Dr. Swenson describes. It’s the space between our load and our limits, which allows us to pause before we break.
Too often, we end the day with nothing left—no time, energy, or money. Then the next day starts…full throttle again.
That kind of lifestyle comes at a cost. The Sleep Foundation reports that nearly half of Americans experience trouble sleeping—a third of them get less than seven hours of sleep a night. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to serious (and expensive) health problems like anxiety, heart disease, and diabetes. It also undermines our relationships and decision-making.
The truth? Rest is not a luxury. It’s wisdom.
God Created Rest
God rested on the seventh day of Creation—not because He needed to, but because His work was complete. He blessed that rest and called it holy (Genesis 2:3).
Later, He enshrined the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). Why? Because He knows our tendency to keep pushing ourselves, and He lovingly tells us to stop. As pastor and author Rich Villodas says:
“God gives us Sabbath—he gives us rest—as a gift to remind us that our standing in Christ is not based on our works. When we rest, we’re reminded: I’m not producing anything…and God still loves me.”
Margin in a Work-Obsessed World
Technology allows us to work from anywhere, at any time. But just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Rest gives us the strength and focus to do our work “as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
Working late nights and skipping vacations might seem productive, but over time, they damage what matters most—our health, our relationships, and our spiritual lives.
Rest doesn’t mean avoiding work. It means working wisely and worshipfully—and stepping away when it’s time to refuel.
The Difference Between Rest and Laziness
Now, let’s be clear: Rest is not laziness.
Laziness is neglecting what we’re called to do. It violates God’s design for us to work, serve, and create. Paul warned the Thessalonians to “warn those who are idle and disruptive” (1 Thess. 5:14), and added in 2 Thessalonians 3:11 that idleness often masks itself as busyness.
Proverbs 31 praises the no