#1 You wear busyness as a badge of honor in conversations

Just the other day someone asked me, “How are you doing, how’s the ministry?” and before I could stop myself I said, “Oh! It’s good, staying real busy, you know!”

“Yeah?” The other person replied, “That’s good. Busy is good, right?”

It was an innocent exchange of pleasantries, but I immediately felt something sinister lurking in my soul: Yeah, being busy IS good. And I’m so busy! I’m sooooo good! Nevermind that I run a ministry whose express purpose is to help people slow down!!

Of course, that needy part of my soul that desperately seeks validation through performance is exactly why I’m doing this ministry — I need help as much as anyone!

#2 You feel guilty when you're not being "productive."

What did I actually accomplish today? What have I got to show for my efforts? Shouldn’t I be doing something right now? … Sound familiar?

I can relate! Literally right now, I’m writing this article while I’m on Easter vacation. Which is precisely why the idea for this article came to me. It’s like I’m addicted to hustle culture’s idolatry of Getting Things Done.

#3 You can't remember the last time you did something purely for enjoyment.

Let’s see, the last time I did something just for the fun of it was… hmm… well dang. I really struggle to let go and just enjoy stuff. Maybe I’m afraid I haven’t earned it, but more honestly it’s because that dark side of me is clawing for security and comfort. If I can just get that next project done I’ll have enough money / accolades / whatever to finally slow down.

You know what John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men in history, said when asked how much money was enough to make a man happy? He said, "Just a little bit more."

I feel seen.

What do I do about all this?

You could start by attending one of my upcoming free workshops on How to Rest in Christ. They are companions to an ebook I recently wrote with the same title. It’s got over 20 pages full of content (including fully interactive worksheets!) and you can get the book for free if you attend a workshop (normally it’s $5).

But here’s the gist. My inability to slow down is really a trust issue. Rest — real, deep, soul rest — begins when I turn my attention away from the chaos to Jesus who loves me, and promises to care for me.

Of course, that’s not a “magic” answer. It doesn't instantly fix the problem. We need to habituate our souls to rest. We have to sing with the Psalmist: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you!” (Ps 116:7). And then practice dropping our mad rush for success and security.

Again, I’ve got several very practical suggestions for how to do that in my ebook and in the workshops, but here’s a super simple practice you can do right now. It’s what I’m doing right now as I write this too:

Take a deep breath. Draw air deep into the core of your being. Feel the air pass into your lungs and be grateful to God for it. Then pray:

“Jesus, I let go of my demand for security, control, approval, and pleasure. And I embrace the present moment as it is right now.”

God is your good father! “By his divine power he has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus who called us” (2 Peter 1:3).

Now go for a walk. Or take a nap. I promise, whatever you are working on right now can wait for 30 minutes. God will take care of the world while you take a break!

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