“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, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
In our achievement-driven culture, these words of Jesus echo as a profound invitation—not just to momentary relief, but to a fundamentally different way of living and working. As Christian business owners and professionals, we face unique pressures to constantly produce, grow, and succeed. Yet Christ offers us something revolutionary: His yoke, His way of working, and His promise of rest.
The Heart of True Rest
The devotional foundation of work-life balance begins with understanding that rest is not merely the absence of work—it is the presence of God’s peace in our lives. When Jesus speaks of His yoke being easy and His burden light, He’s not suggesting we avoid hard work. Rather, He’s inviting us into a rhythm of work and rest that mirrors God’s own design.
The psalmist beautifully captures this truth: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul” (Psalm 23:1-3)[1]. Notice the active role God plays—He makes us lie down, He leads us, He refreshes us. This isn’t passive resignation but active trust in God’s provision and timing.
The writer of Hebrews extends this invitation further: “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. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest”(Hebrews 4:9-11). This passage reveals a profound truth: entering God’s rest requires intentional effort, not because rest is difficult, but because our culture of striving makes it counter-intuitive.
Global statistics reveal the cost of ignoring this divine design. Research shows that 59% of employees have considered quitting due to poor work-life balance[1], while 94% of workers believe work-life balance is essential[3]. Even more striking, Christian workers report significantly higher satisfaction with their work-life balance—36% saying they are very satisfied compared to just 22% of all workers[4]. This suggests that those who understand rest as God’s gift experience genuine peace that eludes others.
We were not designed to toil until we become weary and burdened. Instead, we are called to take Christ’s yoke, learn from Him, and find rest for our souls. This rest is not earned through perfect performance but received through humble trust in God’s provision and leadership in our lives.
Three Practical Strategies for God-Centered Balance
1. Take His Yoke, Not the World’s Demands
The world’s yoke tells us that our worth is measured by our productivity, that rest is earned only after achievement, and that we must control every outcome. Christ’s yoke operates differently. It acknowledges that our work is a form of worship, but our identity is rooted in being God’s children, not in our accomplishments.
Practically, this means establishing boundaries that reflect your priorities. Set specific work hours and protect family time just as you would protect an important business meeting. Learn to say no to opportunities that may be profitable but don’t align with your calling or values. As one business leader noted, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
2. Rest in Him by Trusting His Provision and Leadership
True rest comes from believing that God is sovereign over your business and your life. This doesn’t mean becoming passive, but rather working diligently while holding outcomes with open hands. When we trust God’s provision, we can work six days with full engagement and rest one day with full peace.
Companies that implement work-life balance initiatives report 85% higher productivity[2], and workers who maintain healthy balance are 21% more productive[3]. This isn’t coincidence—it’s God’s design. When we rest in His provision, we actually become more effective in our work. The rhythm of work and rest isn’t about productivity alone; it’s about acknowledging our dependence on God and allowing Him to work through us.
3. Rest from Work to Be Refreshed by Him
Biblical rest isn’t merely stopping work; it’s actively engaging with God for spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal. This means creating space for worship, reflection, and relationship with God and others. It might involve reading Scripture without the pressure to produce insights, praying without agenda, or simply enjoying God’s creation.
Studies show that workers who work from home just one day a month are 24% happier and more productive[2]. The principle applies to Sabbath rest—even small amounts of intentional rest yield significant benefits. But more importantly, these moments of rest remind us that the world continues to function when we step away, reinforcing our trust in God’s sovereignty.
A Testament to God’s Faithfulness
Valerie Woerner, owner of Val Marie Paper, embodies these principles in her business practices. As a Christian entrepreneur who designs prayer journals and spiritual products, she made a counter-cultural decision to close her online shop every Sunday—a practice that could cost significant revenue in our 24/7 economy.
“I felt like the Lord was saying, you know what, you’re okay with encouraging people to buy from you on the Sabbath because you don’t have to work for it,” Valerie shares. “But it’s like, you’re okay encouraging people to do that because you kind of feel like your hands are clean with it.” This conviction led her to trust God with approximately 50 days of potential sales each year[5].
The results speak to God’s faithfulness: “Our business has continued to grow. It has not slowed down our business,” Valerie reports. But the impact extends beyond financial success. The practice has become a powerful witness to customers, with many expressing appreciation for seeing a business that prioritizes rest. More significantly, it has kept Valerie and her team humble and dependent on God’s provision rather than their own efforts.
Valerie’s monthly practice of taking the first work day of each month as a complete day of rest—what she calls “tithing my work time”—has brought additional clarity and direction to her business. During these days, she focuses on prayer, Bible reading, and reflection, often receiving guidance that wouldn’t emerge in the busyness of regular work days. Even during the launch of her new book, she scheduled this monthly rest day, demonstrating radical trust in God’s timing and provision.
Her children have absorbed these values, reminding her “mama’s not doing work today” and understanding that some things are more important than constant productivity. This has created a family culture where rest is valued, not as laziness, but as obedience to God’s design.
Embracing the Rhythm of Grace
The invitation to rest is not a suggestion—it’s a gift from a loving Father who knows our frame and remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). When we take Christ’s yoke and learn from Him, we discover that true productivity flows from a place of rest, not striving.
As you evaluate your own work-life balance, remember that you are not alone in this struggle. The same God who provides green pastures and quiet waters is actively working to refresh your soul. Trust His provision, accept His leadership, and enter into the rest that remains for the people of God.
The world may tell you that rest is earned, but Christ tells you that rest is received. Which voice will you choose to follow?
References:
- Cultivate Leader. “How Christian Leaders Rest Well: 5 Steps to Embrace Sabbath.” October 21, 2024.
- Skillademia. “Key Work-Life Balance Statistics for 2025 from Around the World.” April 7, 2025.
- Insights UCA. “Christians are more satisfied with their work-life balance.” July 15, 2025.
- Navigators Missional Enterprise. “Discovering Rest.” March 12, 2024.
- The Gospel Coalition. “How Do You Really Rest on the Sabbath?” April 27, 2022.
- Simply Sabbath. “Sabbath as a Business Owner with Valerie Woerner.” January 9, 2023.
- Convene. “Balance Prioritizing Family, Faith, and Business.” April 9, 2025.
This article was originally published in the Faith Footprints. To receive similar articles, you are invited to subscribe:
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