Teaching is always overwhelming but this year has brought it to a whole new level. As Christians, we know God calls us to rest in Him, but what exactly does this look like when we have a million responsibilities and can barely keep our heads above water? Join us as we examine Scripture and consider how God would have us think about our work, rest, and stress levels.
listen here:
Here are some of the key points discussed in this episode; listen above for more details:
what the bible says about work
- We ultimately work for God, not man. (2:00)
- Work itself is good; it's just fraught with trials because of the fall. (2:39)
- Our work was created by God for His glory, so we need to seek His perspective on it. (4:53)
what the bible says about rest
- God instituted the Sabbath rest based on the pattern used in creation. (5:53)
- There's a deep spiritual significance for the Sabbath. (6:28)
- Rest is an act of faith because it encourages us to trust God with our work. (9:45)
- We are called to work heartily for the Lord; we are not called to laziness. (12:40)
what if you're in a "busy season?"
- Sometimes we wait for things to slow down instead of making changes. Consider these questions when you’re in a "busy season:"
- Is this temporary?
- How temporary?
- Can I sustain this pace for this season?
- The answers should tell you if a change needs to be made.
implementing the ideas of rest from the bible
- If we're not resting, it may be a sign that we are working for man instead of God. It could also reveal that we are getting our fulfillment or our identity from our work. (16:30)
- Grinding, overwork, and laziness are not of God. Make a decision to work in partnership with God. You can find out more about this idea from our episode, "Grace Over Grind." (18:23)
- Choose at the start of each week when you will and won't work. (19:15)
- When you feel stressed, go to God. Choose to pray and trust Him, rather than being anxious. (21:33)
- When you have time off, try not to think about work. Pray about it instead. (22:23)
resources mentioned:
Grace Over Grind: Eliminate Teacher Stress by Working in God's Grace
We are excited to announce that many of these ideas will be reflected in Pray & Plan, our new planner to help teachers prioritize what matters most - at school, at home, & in their personal lives.
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Thank you so much. Sharing the Truth of God’s Word and the wisdom of experience is so helpful to busy teachers and others. It is such a gift to have Christian encouragement that specifically speaks to teachers. May God bless you. I love this podcast on work and sabbath rest.
Thank you so much for this post. Really helps to see that I’m not alone in being so burned out as myself… I will keep reading this blog
So glad you found it helpful!
This was amazing! I’m a veteran teacher and really wish I’d had this perspective a long time ago. I’m so thankful for your words and ministry.