Life and modern questions
What does the Bible say about rest and self-care?
Jesus withdrew to quiet places, and Scripture treats rest as obedience rather than indulgence.
What Scripture says
Mark 6:31
“He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
Psalm 23:2-3
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Matthew 11:28-30
““Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
1 Kings 19:5-8
“He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat!” He looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The LORD’s angel came again the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” He arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, God’s Mountain.”
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.