Photo by Chris Thompson on Unsplash
If you have begun to see rest as weakness, you have misunderstood strength.
That might sound countercultural, especially in a world that glorifies the hard hustle and equates success with being drained and exhausted. But here’s the truth: real strength doesn’t come from relentless striving. It starts when you stop moving and rest in who you are. If you want to lead, love, and live with the kind of strength that lasts, you must begin in that place.
The Hustle Lie
At some point, we began to think that taking a break is a sign of weakness, that you can’t be a leader if you stop to rest, and that we prove our worth by working ourselves to the bone, not by taking time to chill. You know, the usual stuff.
You may have seen it. It might be something you have experienced.
The individual who neglects to observe a day of rest, who forgoes quality time with loved ones to respond to just one more electronic missive, who is always in gear and never making a pit stop. I know this because it was me. And I did it proudly… until I crashed.
What they don’t understand is this: working without recreation isn’t power; it’s merely a way of getting by.
Stillness Is Strategy
Top athletes do not work around the clock. They train and compete, and then they rest. They must if they expect to avoid injury and find ways to recover not only their physique but also the sharpness of their minds.
It’s the same for us.
Rest isn’t retreat; it’s preparation. It is where clarity returns, emotions settle, and divine communication occurs. Jesus was no stranger to quietude. He led from low gear, not from “hurry up” commands.
Why do we believe we can lead differently?
Rest Is the X-Factor
To live a 5X life, which means being strong in mind, heart, body, soul, and relationships, rest is not merely something to do when you are tired—it is the foundation upon which your health and performance are built.
When you rest:
- Your mind clears.
- Your emotions regulate.
- Your spirit reconnects.
- Your body restores.
- Your relationships deepen.
That’s not laziness. That’s leadership.
The most dangerous person in the room isn’t the one making the most noise; it’s the one who is calm, serious, and in control.
Try This: A 15-Minute Reset.
Here is your move:
Schedule 15 minutes this week to do nothing at all. No productivity, no phone, no tasks, no hacks to make you more productive. Just sit. Breathe. Be.
Observe what occurs. What feelings arise? What ideas swirl around? What does your body convey when it finally achieves silence?
Your new starting line may become that space.
What Are You Really Chasing?
Let me ask you something:
If you’re constantly pushing, always striving, and consistently trying to earn a “yes” with your effort…
What question are you trying to answer?
Am I safe?
Am I secure?
Am I loved?
Am I wanted?
Am I successful?
Am I good enough?
Do I have purpose?
Your hustle might not be about success—it might be about identity.
And that’s where the Primal Question comes in.
Take the Quiz: Discover the Question Driving Your Hustle
If you’re tired of scrambling to feel strong, take the free Primal Question Quiz today. It will help you uncover the deeper narrative behind your overwork and show you how to root your strength in something much better than hustle.
👉 Take the Primal Question Quiz
Rest isn’t lazy. It’s the bold act of one who knows who they are—and doesn’t need to prove it anymore.
