In his commentary on the Psalms, Theodoret of Cyrrhus, as quoted in Quentin F. Wesselschmidt’s Psalms 51–150, addresses what seems like a contradiction in Scripture

“Regarding the divine nature the prophet David says, ‘Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.’ But the narrative of the Evangelist describes the Master Christ as sleeping in the boat.”

We often remember the shortest verse in the Scriptures, “Jesus wept,” as a powerful reminder of His humanity. But there’s another equally profound truth—not captured in a single short verse: Jesus slept. Though He was fully and truly God, He was also fully and truly human. And as a man, He experienced the same needs we do—including the need for rest. During His time on earth, He slept, just like we do. Jesus gave us a good example of the need to rest.

There are also other ways the Scriptures speak of sleep. It often uses sleep as a metaphor for death, but it also uses it to describe laziness or inactivity. 

For example, Proverbs 6:9–10 challenges the lazy person, saying: 

“How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest.”

Similarly, Proverbs 20:13 warns, 

“Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.” 

In these verses, sleep isn’t just about rest—it’s a symbol of neglecting work, which can lead to need and hardship.

However, sleep is an important and necessary part of caring for our bodies, and there are times when I struggle to get enough of it. Proverbs 3:24 says,

“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that sleep doesn’t come as easily as it used to. I’m not alone in that—according to a 2022 Sleep Foundation survey, adults in their 50s average just 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep each night. The CDC also reports that 40% of adults between 45 and 64 get less than the recommended 7 hours. That includes me. And honestly, I’ve often wondered why that is.

Some have suggested that what I’m experiencing is either from ministry itself or a sign of burnout. Others have pointed to a lack of exercise or simply aging—but I know that exercise isn’t the issue in my case. It may be that what I’m feeling is something many pastors go through, though there isn’t enough research on that. For me, it likely stems from a combination of factors. I often find myself preoccupied with the needs and burdens of the church—from marriages to building concerns. The constant weight of these responsibilities may be why I struggle to get a full seven hours of sleep.

I once experienced burnout, and looking back, I realized that a major factor was the lack of time we had for true rest—rest that provided a healthy pace and a real break from the constant demands of ministry. At the time, I was working a full-time job while also doing full-time ministry. My wife was working too, and raising teenagers added another layer of challenge during that season of our lives.

Much of this was rooted in the culture of the church we had come out of, where we were wrongly taught that “if you take care of God’s business, He will take care of yours.” In other words, we were led to believe that prioritizing ministry—even at the expense of our family—meant God would somehow make up for the time and energy we were neglecting at home. That was a lie, and it caused significant damage during some of our most difficult moments.

During that season of burnout, sleepless nights made things worse. We were eventually counseled to take a sabbatical, which we did, attending Risen Christ Fellowship for a time. God brought us through that difficult season, and we’re grateful for the lessons we learned—especially the importance of recognizing when things are becoming too much. For me, lack of sleep can be a sign. That’s not the case this time, as I’ve found a healthier balance. Still, it made me reflect. After recently losing my wife’s brother and with other family members facing health issues, we’ve been discussing pulling back to focus more on our family’s needs.

I also think part of this is simply the reality of getting older. I’m turning 50 in May, and I’ve made some changes to my diet that have helped me sleep better—though I could still use more rest. There are times when the weight of church responsibilities presses on my heart, but that comes with the territory.

Rest is essential—not just for your family and ministry, but also for the sake of a world that needs healthy, Christ-exalting believers who can be used by God to share the gospel. These days, I sometimes have to take afternoon naps, which I take as another sign of being an “old head” (LOL). It is what it is. All in all, I’m thankful for the help the Lord continues to provide. But when sleep becomes difficult, it’s wise to check in with those you’re accountable to and put healthy boundaries in place—so you don’t swing to the other extreme of becoming idle or complacent.

The opposite extreme is also a danger—when someone pulls away from serving or being part of the church community, justifying their absence by saying they need time for themselves. Authentic, biblical church life isn’t easy, but it’s not meant to lead to constant tension and anxiety either. If being involved in community consistently results in marital strife, sleepless nights, and sinful reactions during challenging moments, that’s a clear sign that a break is needed.

To prevent things from getting to that point, regular rest—what we call a weekly sabbatical—is essential. Pacing yourself throughout the week, taking intentional breaks, and finding rhythms that work for you is key. Don’t wait until frustration boils over. Make space for time with the Lord and your family, so you can be refreshed and ready to serve the church and a world that desperately needs Jesus.

In the ’90s, “dun” was a slang term used to informally address someone—kind of like saying “man” or “dude.” Just in case you were wondering (LOL).