Listening to Your Body Is Not a Lack of Faith
I used to think that pushing through meant I was being strong. That resting was giving up. That if I was tired, I just needed to pray harder and keep going. But I’ve come to learn that listening to my body, really listening, is not weakness. It’s wisdom. And more than that, it’s an act of faith.
Our bodies are not a burden. They are a part of how God speaks to us. He designed them with limits, rhythms, and signals. Fatigue, discomfort, tightness in the chest or knots in the stomach, these aren’t interruptions to our faith. They’re invitations. Little reminders to pause, breathe, and lean into the One who restores.
A Verse That Grounds Me:
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.”
— Psalm 23:2-3
There’s something so tender in that line: He makes me lie down. Sometimes I won’t stop unless God gently slows me. And when He does, it’s not punishment. It’s care. His version of wellness isn’t built on performance or productivity. It’s rooted in restoration.
Listening to the Heart, Too:
It’s not just physical tiredness that God wants to tend to. Often, the emotional exhaustion shows up first. We just feel it in our bodies later. Headaches, tension, irritability, that constant feeling of being “on edge.” Sometimes our bodies are trying to speak what our hearts haven’t been able to say.
There are times I’ve ignored what I was really feeling because I didn’t want to disappoint someone, or because setting a boundary felt too hard. But every time I’ve listened, really listened, I’ve discovered that God meets me there with gentleness, not shame. Choosing emotional rest or saying “no” isn’t selfish. It’s a way of honoring what God is healing in me.
A Thought I’m Holding:
Taking care of your body, resting, nourishing, moving slowly, asking for help, is not less spiritual than reading Scripture or praying. It can be an extension of your faith. A way of saying, “God, I trust You enough to stop.” And sometimes, listening to your body helps you hear your heart, too.
A Gentle Practice to Try:
When your body feels tense, tired, or stretched thin, take a moment to ask:
What is my body trying to tell me right now?
Then ask: What is my heart trying to say underneath this?
Follow both answers with kindness. That might look like a nap, a walk, a tearful journal page, or a healthy boundary. Let it be enough.
Reflection for You:
Have you been trying to push through something when God might be asking you to pause?
Is there a physical signal or emotional pattern trying to get your attention?
What would it look like to treat your body and your heart with the same compassion you’d offer someone you love?