Grounded in God: Balancing Work & Sabbath

Why Rest Matters as Much as Work

In our culture, rest is often seen as optional, while work is essential. Yet God designed us to need both. Work is a gift; it provides for ourselves and our families, gives us dignity, and allows us to contribute to the world around us. However, rest is equally a gift... it renews our bodies, refreshes our minds, and reconnects us to the One who created us.

At Restorative Hope Ministries, we walk with survivors of human trafficking as they rebuild their lives through training and new employment. We teach that developing a strong workforce is not just about skill-building, but about grounding life and work in God’s rhythm of rest and reflection. Work is not optional, but neither is rest. Both are vital to growth.

Rest as God’s Classroom

When we pause to spend time with God, we give Him space to teach us how to navigate life. His holy Word, the example of Jesus’ teachings, and the wisdom of the Spirit push us forward into the next step of growth, both personally and professionally.

Grounding ourselves in God’s wisdom and values creates a foundation that never shifts. When we stop to self-assess, to reflect on our choices, and to listen for His voice, we return again and again to that foundation. These moments of rest are where God’s direction becomes clear.

But if we never stop, if we just go and go without resting, the implications compound. We lose stability. We feel insecure, chaotic, and lost. We drift from our foundation and find ourselves running on empty. True Sabbath is God’s antidote: it is His invitation to stop striving, to remember who He is, and to allow Him to anchor us once again.

The Sabbath in Scripture

From the very beginning, God modeled rest:

“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.”— Genesis 2:2–3

Jesus affirmed the heart of this practice:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”— Mark 2:27–28

In other words, Sabbath is not a rigid law but a holy rhythm. It is not meant to restrict, but to restore.

When Work and Rest Intertwine

For many, Sunday is the traditional Sabbath. But what if you’re on shift at the hospital, or stocking shelves, or rebuilding your life in a brand-new job? The apostle Paul reminds us:

“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”— Romans 14:5

The Spirit of Sabbath is not confined to a calendar square. It is found in choosing to make space for God... whether on a Sunday, in the quiet hours before work, or an hour carved out of a busy day.

The Balance That Grounds Us

Both work and rest are holy. Work disciplines us, stretches us, and equips us to serve others. Rest grounds us, anchors us, and reminds us that our strength comes from God. Together they keep us steady.

The writer of Hebrews captures this hope:

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.”— Hebrews 4:9–10

When we choose rest with God, we gain clarity, courage, and stability. His presence steadies us when life feels unstable. His wisdom shapes our decisions. His values become the plumb line we return to again and again.

Living It Out

So how do we live the spirit of Sabbath?

• Make time for God. Open His Word, pray, worship, and be still with Him.

• Reflect and self-assess. Let His truth reveal where you are strong and where you need to grow.

• Rest your body and mind. Allow God to renew your strength (physically, mentally, spiritually).

• Work with purpose. Return to your calling refreshed, ready to serve with diligence and joy.

  
  

At Restorative Hope Ministries, we believe that true restoration happens when work and rest are held in close balance. Survivors find new life not only in employment, but in discovering that their identity and stability come from God’s love and wisdom.

And that is the heart of the Sabbath... not just stopping, but being grounded in the One who gives life, direction, and peace.

With hope,

Melissa Mills, survivor leader