Eat, Sleep, Eat: God’s Prescription for Exhaustion

"I’ve had enough, Lord… take my life." (1 Kings 19:4)

That cry came from the prophet Elijah — one of the most powerful voices in the Old Testament. He had just faced off with the prophets of Baal, watched God send fire from heaven, and seen a nation reminded of who was truly God. And yet, after all that, Elijah ran. Fearful, exhausted, and emotionally wrecked, he collapsed under a bush and asked God to let him die.

It’s comforting to know that even Elijah — the miracle-worker, fire-caller, chariot-rider — hit a wall. His story reminds us that even the strongest among us need rest.

But what God did next is profound.

Rather than scolding Elijah or giving him a motivational speech, God sent an angel to touch him and say, “Get up and eat.” A fresh meal was waiting by hot stones, along with a jar of water. Elijah ate, then slept again. The angel returned a second time: “Get up and eat some more, for the journey ahead is long.” 

Before God gave Elijah his next assignment, He restored him with simple, physical rest. Not a miracle. Not a sermon. Just food. Sleep. Stillness.

Rest Is Not Laziness — It’s Preparation

In May 2023, I hit my own wall. Years of chronic pain, stress, and a demanding career left me depleted. I sold and walked away from my business and tried to do the only two things I had the strength to do: eat and sleep. But even then, the world didn’t stop demanding. Emails, responsibilities, and expectations kept knocking.

I had to fight for rest — fiercely. I had to learn to say "no" and resist the urge to stay productive. And slowly, as the days passed, my energy began to return. My emotions stabilized. My body began to heal.

Like Elijah, I needed time in the cave. But what I discovered is that rest isn’t passive — it’s deeply intentional. And it’s absolutely vital if we want to walk in our calling, stay healthy, and hear from God.

Rhythms of Rest: What It Looks Like

As my pastor often reminds us to: Divert Daily. Withdraw Weekly. Abandon Annually. 

Here’s what that can look like:

Divert Daily

•  Carve out quiet time for prayer, reflection, or simply breathing.
•  Take a short walk, stretch, or move your body gently.
•  Disconnect from your phone. Even 15 minutes of digital silence can refresh your mind.
•  Give yourself permission to pause — even when the world keeps moving.

Withdraw Weekly

•  Take one day each week to rest. No work. No chores. No screens, if possible.
•  Spend time with people you love or simply enjoy something life-giving.
•  Trust that the world won’t fall apart while you rest. (Spoiler: it won’t.)

Abandon Annually

•  Step away. Fully. No email, no work, no hustle.
•  Whether it’s a weekend retreat or a longer getaway, make space for your soul to breathe.
•  If you're burning out, you may need to abandon quarterly — or monthly. That’s okay.

The truth is: you can rest now by choice, or rest later by force. Rest is not a weakness. It’s worship. It’s obedience.

Rest Begins with Spiritual Order

We are triune beings — spirit, soul, and body. And when we get out of order, everything starts to unravel.

•  When the body calls the shots, we chase comfort or numbness.
•  When the soul (mind, will, and emotions) takes over, we spiral in anxiety, fear, and control.
•  But when the spirit — aligned with God — is in charge, we find peace, clarity, and purpose.

In my own journey, I realized my body was screaming because my soul was overwhelmed. And my soul was overwhelmed because I hadn’t anchored myself in God’s presence. When we live from the inside out — spirit leading soul, soul leading body — rest becomes not just possible, but natural.

The Whisper Comes After the Rest

God wasn’t in the fire, the wind, or the earthquake. He came to Elijah in a gentle whisper — after Elijah had eaten, slept, and stepped out of the cave.

So maybe the most spiritual thing you can do right now isn’t more effort, more planning, or more striving.

Maybe it’s just this: Eat. Sleep. Eat again. Listen for the whisper. 

You’re not lazy. You’re human.
And your God is waiting to meet you — not just in the fire, but in the quiet.