Sometimes the thing we call “rest”… isn’t actually rest.
Binge-watching Netflix, scrolling endlessly, having one more drink, zoning out on your phone—these aren’t always sinful, but they’re not soul-restoring either.
They’re escape hatches.
Quick relief.
Not real renewal.
And if you’re leading on fumes, the difference between escape and recharge matters.
Photo by Wengang Zhai on Unsplash
You Don’t Need a Vacation—You Need a Rhythm
Burnout rarely comes from one bad week.
It comes from months of running without recovering.
You don’t need to disappear to the mountains for three days every month (although that sounds nice).
You need daily rhythms that refuel your spirit, reconnect your soul, and reset your drive.
You need rest that gives more than it takes.
Here’s What Rest That Recharges Can Look Like
You don’t have to overhaul your life to start recharging today.
Just pick one or two of these and build a rhythm.
- Mental Rest: Block out 10 minutes of silence before your day starts—no phone, no noise, just breathe.
- Physical Rest: Take a walk without headphones. Let your body reset without stimulation.
- Relational Rest: Say no to one unnecessary meeting or draining conversation this week.
- Spiritual Rest: Read a single Psalm slowly. Don’t analyze—just sit with it and listen.
- Emotional Rest: Journal one question: “What am I really feeling right now?”—and answer honestly.
- Actual Sleep: Stop treating rest like a reward. Go to bed like it’s sacred (because it is).
These small shifts change how you show up—for your work, your wife, your kids, and yourself.
Recharge Beats Escape—Every Time
You don’t need more numbing.
You need more grounding.
More awareness.
More presence.
Men who lead well rest well.
And not because they’re lazy—but because they know their limits.
Don’t just stop working. Start recharging.
Call to Action: Find Your Rest Rhythm
Ask yourself:
Am I escaping—or actually recovering?
If you’re not sure, take the next 2 minutes and do this:
Take the free Primal Question Quiz
It’ll show you what you’ve really been chasing—and how rest can reset the scramble.
Your leadership depends on it.
And so does your life.
