Have you ever felt like everything feels hard and nothing feels fun?

Like you’re just going through the motions, working overtime constantly just to get through the day, with no energy, no joy, just dread?

If that’s you right now, that’s an indicator.

An indicator that you’ve lost touch with your Creator and that you’re doing life and business the world’s way.

I recently finished the Bible study I mentioned on the podcast a while back—Breathe by Priscilla Shirer—all about making room for Sabbath. And I wanted to reflect a little bit about what this journey has been like for me over the past four and a half to five weeks.

Because here’s the truth: a year ago, I started this journey of really slowing down and learning what it looks like to truly surrender my life and business to the Lord.

And what I’ve experienced is such an easy yoke and a light burden.Matthew 11:28 says: “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, for the yoke I give you is easy and the burden I give you is light.”

This scripture is such a clear picture of what we’re supposed to do when we’re feeling overwhelmed: come to the Lord and take His yoke and His light burden.

Indicators You’ve Reached “Enough”

Here are some indicators that a person has reached “enough” in their life, where things are feeling too much:

• Totally exhausted
• Lacking desire
• Having no energy
• No joy
• Just going through the motions
• Feeling dread

If that’s you, you’ve lost touch with your Creator, and you’re doing life and business the world’s way.

Three Main Principles from the Breathe Study

Through this study, Priscilla talks about three main things:

1. Resisting the Urge to Continue

It’s so important for us to say no to ourselves as adults, because no one says no to us.

We have to resist the urge to continue.

And this isn’t just resisting the urge to continue working or striving. This is also resisting the urge to buy things, to keep acquiring and accumulating.

A Quick Example: Christmas Spending

I was just talking to someone about Christmas and how I always feel like I’m not spending enough on my kids.

Our budget for each kid is $150 for regular gifts and $25 for their stocking, $175 total.

This woman shared that her budget for each kid is $500.

And instantly, my fleshy part wanted to be like, “Well, we’re not spending enough.”

But I had to remind myself: Maybe we’re not in terms of other people’s opinions, but in MY opinion, my kids don’t need that much.

I already have a hard time figuring out what to get them because they don’t need anything. I’m buying stuff just to buy them stuff.

Not everybody has the same values. My value is not in things.

And I do not want my kids growing up feeling like they have to spend $500 on each of their kids when they get older.

That’s the worldly way of doing things.

We have to get out of this comparison. We have to get out of this accumulation stage and stay focused on contentment.

2. Remember What You Used to Be

This is talking about Exodus, where the Israelites were slaves.

This is a great parallel to us today. Prior to becoming saved and giving our life to the Lord, we were slaves.

Here’s a powerful chart comparing the slavery mindset vs. the freedom mindset:

Slavery Mindset:

• Hoard
• Live fearfully
• Closed fists
• Mindset of lack
• Focus on deficiency
• Always think they don’t have enough
• Feel like they have to keep going

Freedom Mindset:

• Give
• Live lovingly
• Open hands
• Mindset of abundance
• Focus on holy expectation
• Remember that God will provide
• Have the discipline to cease

When we’ve been set free, we are no longer bound to slavery. So why do we not walk in that freedom? Why do we continue to allow ourselves to have that slave mentality?

For me, it’s obvious: Our slave mentality is just a tactic from the enemy.

He wants to keep us spiraling out of control. He wants to keep us always striving, always chasing, never feeling like we have enough.

True contentment is found in walking with the Lord and remembering that when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for us, we were set free.

3. Recall What God Has Accomplished

Sabbath is an opportunity to stand in awe of God’s character, His power, and His handiwork.

Freedom creates room for devotion and worship to God.

It’s about clearing space in our schedule where we have time to:

• Resist the urge to continue
• Remember what we used to be
• Sit in surrender and adoration to the Lord
• Recall what He’s accomplished in our lives

What I’ve Learned About Sabbath (The Practical Stuff)

Here’s what’s funny: I got to the end of the Bible study and I was like, “She still never told me what to do on Sabbath!”

And I think that’s because she doesn’t want it to be legalistic.

Priscilla was basically saying: Sabbath is really an opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy what God has done in your life.

Sabbath helps prevent idolatry. It’s truly a built-in shield against making idols.

The goal of Sabbath is to create space in your life to enjoy God.

So there are no rules. I keep thinking there are certain rules. And yes, I’m going to come up with some guidelines for myself. But I can’t be legalistic about it.

My Struggle with Legalism

For example, the past few weeks we’ve been watching movies on the Sabbath, the day I had set aside where I didn’t want to do screens. And I was feeling a little legalistic about it.

My husband was like, “You know what? This is us spending time together as a family. It’s a fun tradition. We’re watching Christmas movies.”

And I was like, “Okay, you’re right. I don’t need Sabbath to look a certain way. It just needs to be an opportunity for me to rest.”

I tend to swing on the side of legalism and get really down on myself when I don’t do things right or perfectly.

But I want to remind you: Sabbath margin is an opportunity for us to continue to practice, and it doesn’t have to look perfect all the time.

God knows our heart. He knows our true desires, and He will bless that effort.

Key Takeaways from My Journey

Here are some standout moments for me:

• Doing less actually produces more. God wants us to trust in His provision, not our own abilities.
• As long as we’re focused on scarcity and lack, we can’t experience His provision.
• Sabbath is an opportunity to stand in awe of God’s character, His power, and His handiwork.
• Freedom creates room for devotion and worship to God.
• Honoring Sabbath margin helps us promote a healthy relationship with the Lord. But if we neglect Sabbath margin, we promote an unhealthy relationship with the Lord.

My Sabbath Plan Moving Forward

I want to spend time on Sabbath:

1. Giving thanks and journaling through gratitude
2. Remembering His faithfulness (looking up scripture, reflecting on answered prayers)
3. Worshiping (dedicated time singing worship songs, that’s how I feel closest to the Lord)

And maybe Sabbath doesn’t have to be an entire day. Maybe it’s just 14 minutes a day.

Priscilla mentions this: What if you just did 14 minutes a day instead of all day on Sunday? Or can you do both?

Can you add more of that margin and remind yourself that God is the answer and focus only on Him?

Why Sabbath Matters

When we honor God and prioritize Him to the number one spot, the blessings He has for us overflow.

He has a plan for all of us. He has blessings He’s just waiting to give us. But if we don’t walk in obedience with Him, we miss out on those opportunities.

Overloading your schedule, your home, your mind, it’s often what we do when we forget who God is.

When we forget that God is our ultimate provider, we look to other things to fill that.

We need to remember who God is and that He has set us free from slavery, and we are no longer bound to that yoke.

My Invitation to You

I encourage you to do some research on Sabbath and figure out your stance on it.

I’m not doing this out of guilt. I’m doing this out of a place of “I want to see what it looks like to walk in the original design.”

I want to see what it looks like to:

• Resist the urge to continue
• Keep reflecting on who I once was (and not allow myself to go back into that slavery mentality)
• Continually keep top of mind what the Lord has already done for me
• Seek out who He is

The easiest way for me to do that is to create this Sabbath margin, this space that is set apart and set aside for the Lord.

And I invite you to do the same, my friend.

Join Us for Rested and Rooted Workshop

If you want to dive deeper into what it looks like to walk in obedience without going too fast or too slow, to find that right pace with God, join us at Rested and Rooted Workshop on January 21st.

We’ll be looking closely and more intimately at that line: Where’s the line between sitting and waiting for God to tell you the next step versus actually taking action?

Learn more

Final Words From My Heart

Sabbath margin is an opportunity to reset. To refocus. To remember.

God has set you free. You are no longer bound to that slave mentality.

So resist the urge to continue. Remember what you used to be. And recall what God has already done for you.

Take a moment this week and ask: Where do I need to create Sabbath margin in my life?

Start there, and trust that God will bless that effort.

With love and grace,

Related Podcast Episodes: 

1. Ep 231. How I’m Rewiring My Relationship with Busy Through Sabbath Part 1
2. Ep 218. Stop Just Managing Your Time +Start Prioritizing It
3. Ep 183. Transform Your Workday Starting with a Strategic Business Meeting
4. Ep 147. ​​Making Self-Care a Reality in Your Life
5. Ep 66. Why Margin in Your Calendar is Crucial to Self-Care

Resources:

1. Purpose Gathering Workshop Rested and Rooted (January 21st, 9AM-2PM) – A Spirit-led morning to refocus, reconnect & recharge in Downtown Gilbert, AZ. Live worship, speaker sessions, guided reflection, and intentional connection with faith-driven moms in business. Lunch included! Grab your ticket
2. Learn more about the Collective Mastermind – A Christ-centered space for ambitious mompreneurs who are ready to align their life and business with the Lord.
3. Join the Faith-Fueled Fireside on December 16th at 10AM (AZ Time) – This virtual gathering is an opportunity to connect with like minded mamas who are ready to trade hustle for peace this season.
4. Join the Free Purpose Gathering Community – A welcoming space for Christian mompreneurs to connect, grow, and be encouraged in both life and business.
5. Have a question for me? Or a specific struggle you’re dealing with? I’ll address your question on the podcast. Submit your ‘Ask Ashley’ question here.
6. Please connect with me on Instagram @thepurposegathering.