How Your Faith Shapes How You Define Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance — it’s the topic of countless self-help bestsellers. A quick internet search will turn up blog posts, courses, conferences and more, all devoted solely to this topic. Yet, with all the research and resources available, no one seems to have found the exact solution for maintaining this balance. 

Unfortunately, there’s no one right answer. You will never find the method you need to consistently have all your ducks in a row, feel perfectly at peace at work and generally have your pieces together. 

This doesn’t mean you’re doomed to misery and overworking. In fact, the opposite is true. What does a Godly work-life balance look like? How does it differ from popular worldviews and how can you trade your constant stress for contentment? To achieve lasting balance, you must shift from a you-centered worldview to Christ-centered thinking. 

Defining Work-Life Balance

In general terms, work-life balance is a juggling act between the demands of your job and your personal life. However, the “ideal” work-life balance is different for everyone. 

For some, it looks like a seamless blend between the two, with a work-from-home job where you can fold the laundry on your break and no one asks questions. For others, it’s compartmentalizing your work and home life with clear boundaries. 

Ask 10 people and they’ll each give you a slightly different answer. To better understand what work-life balance is for you and how your faith shapes it, you need to have a more profound knowledge of the differing perspectives on work and rest.    

Perspectives on Work and Rest

Worldly views of work and rest typically misalign with God’s plan for His people. 

How the World Views Work

The world’s views on work consist mainly of two contrasting ideas — either live to work or work to live, neither of which is well-balanced. Those who live to work prioritize their careers above all else. They love their job and are willing to work through the night. They answer their emails and phone calls wherever they are. The live-to-work group is your quintessential workaholic. 

On the other side of the spectrum are those who work to live. They can’t wait to clock out at the end of the day and get home or head out to happy hour. They live for the weekend and dread getting up on Monday. Their job is a means to an end, a way to support their lifestyle and pay the bills.  

God’s Plan for Work

From the very beginning, God’s plan was for man to work. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (ESV) Even in a perfect paradise, before sin entered the world, God gave man a job. Work was not the result of the Fall — sin only made work more difficult.  

Jesus worked as a carpenter and then began his ministry to a blind and deaf people, healing their souls and bodies. He walked countless miles to teach about the wonders of heaven and glorify God, His Father.

Paul, a prolific teacher and martyr, wrote about work in his second letter to the Church in Thessalonica. He reminded them:

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.  

He wanted to set a good example for the young Church. Work is a gift from God. It allows you to provide for yourself. It gives you the opportunity to serve others with your time and money. It also keeps you from bad choices you might make in idleness.

How the World Views Rest

When it comes to rest and relaxation, there are likewise two opposing positions. Those who live to work view rest as an unnecessary and frivolous activity. Taking time away from their jobs to relax could hurt their bottom line. They’re more concerned with making more money than finding good ways to care for themselves, their families and others. 

The work-to-live crew views rest as a right. They go to their 9-5 because they must, while they do their “real living” outside those hours. Most people in this camp view work as getting in the way of their relaxation. 

God’s Plan for Rest

God says rest is important — in fact, he commands it:

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (ESV Exodus 20:8-11)

Under the old covenant, God laid out a plan for his people to rest. He knew they needed time to physically recuperate from their daily labors. However, He also wanted a day for them to rely solely on Him. To take a Sabbath, His people needed to trust that God would take care of their needs. 

Though you’re no longer under the old covenant, you still need to rest. God created humans to need downtime. Your brain needs time for sleep to recuperate. Sleep and relaxation allow your body to recover from stress and stay healthy. 

How Your Faith Influences Your Work-Life and Rest

According to God’s great plan, Christians need both work and rest, so your quest for work-life balance isn’t completely fruitless. The only way to find true balance is to rely on your Creator rather than yourself. If you’re someone who feels they deserve rest and time to do nothing or you feel you should be free to work as much you like so you can grow your wealth, your priorities are wrong. These thoughts are you-centered and they detract from your relationship with God. 

He made you to rest and work. He even equipped you with the Holy Spirit to teach you how your faith influences your work life and rest. When you get the nagging feeling to stop checking work emails at home and spend time with your spouse or turn Netflix off during a long binge, it’s the Spirit at work in your life guiding you to a better balance.  

So, how are you to work and rest?

You should work wholeheartedly and devote yourself to it during your scheduled hours. Colossians 3:23 puts it this way: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” (ESV)

Instead of working only for yourself, your boss or money, you should do your job as if you’re working for God. Glorify him in your behavior. Maintain a kind heart and virtuous tongue. As Paul tells the Church in Philippi, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing…” (ESV Philippians 2:14).

Yet, work isn’t the only thing you need as a Christian. You need God’s rest. Yes, a break from your 9-5 is pleasant, but simply getting away from work isn’t the point. This is the time for you to pour into your family and others. Physically rest so you can stay healthy. Most importantly, you need rest time to grow closer to God and give him praise and glory. 

Jesus perfectly describes the Christian work-life balance in Matthew:

28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV Matthew 11:28-30)

Both work and rest are found through Christ. Whatever work He sets for you, He equips you for and yokes Himself to you to bear the burden. In Him, your soul and body can find rest. 

The Impact of Religious Views on Taking a Vacation

Since God designed your rest to be a reliance on Him and a chance to refocus your priorities in a Christ-centered manner, what is the impact of religious views on taking a vacation or spending an evening chilling on the couch? 

Being a Christian doesn’t mean giving up all pleasure. Jesus says, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (AMPC John 10:10) You weren’t created solely to exist. You live to bring glory to God, enjoy and explore His creation and praise Him.

As long as you’re making decisions in accordance with your faith and being good stewards of your money, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a family game night, going out with friends or traveling the country. Use the time to connect with God and others, leaving your worldly cares behind. 

Behave Like an Image Bearer

As a Christian and image bearer of God, your daily calling is to become more like Christ, learning “22to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (ESV Ephesians 4:22-24)

You should model God’s plan from the beginning. He spent six days creating the world and then rested on the seventh. He calls you to do the same. Do your work with diligence to glorify Him, not yourself, and take time for rest to heal and connect with Him and others.