I was asked this question, and as a Christian—someone working for God—I’ve thought about it deeply. Is it important for me to have my own time? Is it important to rest? Is it okay to set aside moments just for myself?
Sometimes, we feel tired. Sometimes, we feel lazy. There are days when we don’t feel like going out, visiting people, or doing ministry work. Yet often, we force ourselves. We pressure ourselves to keep going because we think that if we don’t, God might not be pleased or might even be upset with us.
Many of my friends have asked me this: “Is it okay if I take rest? I’m tired. I don’t want to go out and do ministry today. I just want to rest. Is that fine?”
Personally, I would say yes—it is fine.
You are working for God, but rest is also important. There is a moment in Scripture where the disciples were exhausted from their work. Jesus saw this and took them away from the crowd so they could rest. That shows us something very important: rest is not a weakness; it is part of God’s design.
Yes, there are also times when Jesus worked tirelessly. He walked long distances and said that doing the will of His Father was His food. That shows dedication. But it does not cancel the truth that He also cared about rest—for Himself and for His disciples.
So it is important to understand both sides. God values your work, but He also values your well-being. Taking rest from physical labor is not wrong. It is necessary.
Never think that God will be unhappy or offended just because you took time to rest. Sometimes, we have an incorrect image of God. We imagine Him as someone overly strict, watching every move, even judging the rest we take. That is not who He is.
If you are serving God, it does not mean you must push yourself endlessly without pause. That should not be the case. You are human, and you need rest. In fact, God is pleased when you take care of yourself in a healthy and balanced way.
So I encourage all who are working for God: do not neglect rest.
And if you ever feel that God might be angry because you paused, don’t believe that thought. God understands you. He knows your limits. He sees your efforts. He is not distant—He is close, and He relates to you.
Do not push yourself to the point where you become exhausted, lose joy, or feel burdened by the very work you once loved. When that happens, it becomes harder to serve with sincerity and passion.
Instead, take time to rest. Refresh yourself. Then return to your work with a renewed heart.
When you rest, you don’t lose anything. In fact, you gain strength. You gain clarity. You gain joy again.
And when you go back to serving, you will do it with a fresh spirit.
So yes, it is okay to rest. It is not a problem. Rest well, and then continue your work with joy and strength.
