Why Can’t I Just Take a Nap? (Navigating Burnout in a Hustle Culture)

Ever feel like you’re the human equivalent of a phone at 1% battery, blinking warnings and begging for a charger? That’s burnout sneaking in. I’ve been there, saying yes to every shiny request, thinking I could juggle flaming torches without collapsing. Shockingly, I couldn’t. My brain turned to oatmeal, my patience ran out on me, and I growled at someone over my coffee that was too hot to drink. If you’re new to walking with Jesus, burnout can make you feel like you’re flunking life. Take it from me, with decades of overdoing it: God didn’t make you so you could try long-distance sprinting on a hamster wheel. He made you to rest in Him.

We’ve all hit that wall where you’re too tired to pray, too frazzled to focus, and fantasizing about a nap that’s basically a coma. Maybe you’re juggling classes, a job, and social media’s pressure to be a productivity superhero. Or your faith feels like a wilted plant, with worship just another box to check. Burnout’s real, but here’s what I’ve learned: God’s not cheering your grind. He’s inviting you to a lighter way, with rest built into the plan.

Why Burnout Sneaks Up

Burnout’s more than just being tired. It’s your soul waving a white flag while you’re still running the race. You say yes to everything, chase “perfect,” or feel guilty for hitting pause. I’ve burned through seasons of overwork, thinking hustle was my personality, only to end up cranky and empty, ready to chuck my to-do list out the window—I mean “recycle bin.” Social media’s no help, with its “hustle harder” cheerleaders. The world says sprint; God says “…be still and get to know me” (Psalm 46:10).

Scripture’s got this rest thing on replay. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) has Jesus saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls.” God’s not pushing you to exhaustion. He’s calling you to peace.

God’s Plan: Rest as Strength

The Bible weaves rest into God’s blueprint. He rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3), setting the tone for all of us. Jesus napped in a storm-tossed boat (Mark 4:38), cool as a cucumber. Elijah, burned out and running, got fed and rested by God (1 Kings 19:5-8). Rest isn’t lazy—it’s sacred. Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV) says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” God’s rest rebuilds you.

Last week, we dove into wrestling doubt, bringing your questions to God. This is the next piece: dodging burnout by weaving rest into your life, trusting God’s rhythm over the world’s hustle. It’s not about bailing out on anyone, it’s about thriving.

How to Prevent Burnout with God’s Help

You don’t need major therapy to sidestep burnout. But you do have to be intentional about it. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned from crashing like a toddler after a sugar high:

1. Guard Your Energy Say no to one thing draining you: a late shift, a group chat that’s all drama, or scrolling Instagram or TikTok until your eyes cross. Start small. I began by silencing my phone at 10 p.m., and it saved me from turning into a gremlin. Because I have students all over the world, in all different time zones. And they all seem to have questions at midnight, my time. But, as much as I love what I do, it just drained me. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Your “heart” here, in Hebrew, includes your mental, emotional, and spiritual energy. So be careful, be particular, and guard your energy.
2. Pray for Priorities Ask God to highlight what matters. Not every “yes” is your job. I’ve prayed over my to-do list, and God’s shown me what’s His, saving me from signing up for chaos. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Let God untangle your crossed circuits.
3. Rest Intentionally Pick one restful act: a walk, a nap, 10 minutes of quiet. Treat it like it’s holy because it is. I started with Bible reading in the morning, and it recharges me better than a triple-shot espresso. And you know how much I love my coffee. Exodus 20:8 says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Rest is God’s order, not His suggestion.
4. Find a Safe Space Connect with someone a friend, mentor, or even pastor. Tell them when you’re stretched thinner than a cheap paper towel; they’ll remind you to breathe. I know I say this all the time, but there’s a reason. My friends have nudged me to slow down when I’m spinning out. They have insisted on me doing something that gets me away from my computer. They make room for us to be together in silence when I get too wound up. You need this in your life. When Paul was writing to his young mentee in the faith, Timothy, about another friend. He said, “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains” (2 Timothy 1:16). See, even the Apostle Paul needed the refreshment of friends.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins Rested this week? Said no without guilt? Didn’t complain to every person that you see about being tired? That’s a win. God sees your effort, not just your output. I’ve learned to clear one calm night in a week of pretending I’m a robot. I usually watch sports or an insane true crime documentary my cousin Ongie sends me (I don’t know how she finds them, but they are C-R-A-Z-Y, love those). Still, that’s a win. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Be proud of your wins. 

God’s Rest Is Restoration 

Burnout isn’t some badge of honor. It’s your body and soul waving the white flag, quietly begging you to slow down before you crash all the way through the guardrails. But here’s the beautiful part: God never asked you to carry it all. He’s not waiting for you to impress Him with how much you can juggle. He’s inviting you to breathe. To trust. To let Him do the heavy lifting.

Rest isn’t failure. It’s obedience. It’s choosing to believe that God still works while you step back and refill. The world may scream “Do more,” but your Father says, “Come sit awhile.” And that kind of rest? That’s where real strength lives.

So when life feels like a blur of deadlines, laundry piles, and late-night stress spirals, pause. Let yourself breathe. Pour a cup of coffee. Open your Bible. Turn your phone face-down. And let God start restoring your soul. And little by little that’s how we keep going, one small, surrendered pause at a time.

☕ A little faith, a little courage, and a whole lot of stubborn joy. – Tonya

What’s one way you’re trying to rest—or a time burnout taught you to slow down? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your story!

© 2025 All posts written by Tonya E. Lee