What Does Rest Have to Do with Business Growth?
In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, we’re often told that the key to business growth is hustle. But what if real, sustainable growth comes from something counterintuitive — like rest?
Not just sleep or vacations or a day at the spa (although I’m down for all of those), but the kind of rest that Jesus talked about in Matthew 11 — soul rest. The kind that anchors your spirit and strengthens your strategy. In this article, we’ll unpack what soul rest really is, why as women in the Christian entrepreneur space, we often avoid it, and how embracing rest might be the exact move your business needs next.
What Is Biblical Rest, Really?
Most people think of rest as downtime or self-care. But biblical rest is about much more than taking a break — it’s about surrender. It’s an invitation to stop striving and start trusting.
“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.”
— Matthew 11: 28–29
Soul rest is about letting go of control, stepping off the productivity treadmill, and allowing God to handle it.
Why High-Achieving Women Avoid Rest
Let’s be honest. Sometimes hustle feels safer than rest. Busy feels productive. And pausing? That feels like falling behind.
But God designed us for rhythm, not burnout. When we treat rest like an inconvenience, we risk building businesses out of striving instead of obedience. And obedience is where the anointing lives — not in overwork.
7 Types of Biblical Rest You Might Be Missing
I did a deep dive into the kinds of rest I see in the Bible. Here’s a breakdown — and why each one matters for your life and your business (you can look all of these up and research for yourself at Bible.com) :
1. Refreshing Rest
Psalm 23:1–3 — He leads you beside still waters and restores your soul. This is rest that renews your perspective.
2. Solitude
Mark 6:31 — Jesus modeled this. Time away from the noise is essential for clarity and connection with God.
3. Stillness
Psalm 37:7 — Be still and know that He is God. This isn’t just inactivity; it’s intentional alignment.
4. Physical Rest
Matthew 11:28–30 — Real rest isn’t just spiritual. God cares about your physical body, too.
5. Peaceful Rest
Philippians 4:6–7 — Rest is found in the peace that surpasses understanding.
6. Sabbath Rest
Genesis 2:2–3, Deuteronomy 5:12 — Weekly rhythms of rest were God’s idea from the beginning. Ignore them, and your life and business suffer.
7. Sleep
Psalm 127:2 — Yes, sleep is spiritual. God gives rest to His beloved.
Ask yourself: which type of rest are you resisting? Which one is God asking to pay more attention to at this time in your life?
What Rest Has to Do with Business Growth
You can’t hear from God when you’re exhausted. Your best ideas, strategy shifts, and inspired downloads happen when your spirit is quiet enough to listen.
And here’s the kicker — your body knows when it’s time to slow down. Your nervous system resets, your creativity rebounds, and your clarity returns. When you embrace God’s rhythms, business growth becomes rooted in sustainability, not stress.
Your Next Step: Rest with Intention
If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of hustle, here’s your challenge:
• Choose one type of rest this week and schedule it like a client meeting.
• Ask God, “What does obedience look like today?”
• And if your soul is weary, consider joining me at the Soul Rest Retreat — a space for women to lay down what they were never meant to carry alone.
My prayer for you is that you will sit with the Lord, even as you finish reading this, and ask him to help you create a plan to get the rest you need and that he is beckoning you into.
