Throughout my life, I’ve experienced seasons of trauma and prolonged stress, and one thing has become clear: it’s utterly exhausting. The exhaustion doesn’t just come during the trauma—it often hits hardest afterward.

I used to get so frustrated with myself, thinking I was just being lazy. Some days, even getting out of bed felt like an impossible task.

After one particularly difficult season, I pushed myself relentlessly, trying to hold everything together so my life wouldn’t fall apart. But in the end, I burned out so badly that I started having regular panic attacks. That only added to my frustration. It took months of rest before I finally began to feel like myself again. I was beyond tired.

But why does this happen? A simple Google search reveals that when you go through trauma, your body enters emergency mode. It releases cortisol and other stress hormones to keep you alert—it’s a built-in defense system. Once you’re out of that emergency mode, your body can react in different ways.

One possibility is adrenal fatigue. After overworking your adrenal system during trauma, your body might end up with excess cortisol levels, making it difficult to relax. Trauma can also deplete neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, leading to emotional exhaustion.

So, what does God say about all this? He says we need rest.

The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 is a powerful example of this. After a great victory on Mount Carmel, where God answered Elijah’s prayer with fire from heaven, Elijah faced a new threat. Jezebel, the queen, was furious and sent a message to Elijah, vowing to kill him within 24 hours. Despite his recent triumph, Elijah was overwhelmed with fear and fled for his life into the wilderness.

Elijah’s journey took him deep into despair. He went a day’s journey into the desert, sat down under a broom tree, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4). Exhausted, Elijah lay down and fell asleep.

What happens next is a beautiful testament to God’s understanding and compassion. Instead of rebuking Elijah for his despair, God sent an angel to care for him. The angel touched Elijah and said, “Get up and eat” (1 Kings 19:5). When Elijah looked around, there was bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel returned again, urging him to eat, saying, “for the journey is too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7).

God knew that Elijah’s physical and emotional exhaustion must be addressed before anything else. Only after Elijah was rested and nourished did God speak to him in a gentle whisper, renewing his spirit and giving him further direction (1 Kings 19:12-13).

God designed our bodies to have heightened responses during trauma, but He also knows that rest is essential afterward. Elijah’s story shows that even the strongest among us can reach a breaking point, and in those moments, God doesn’t expect us to keep pushing ourselves. Instead, He invites us to rest and be renewed.

I’m learning to embrace the truth that it’s okay to rest. I don’t have to burn myself out trying to keep it all together. I’m not lazy—God created my body to need rest after trauma. Just as He cared for Elijah in his moment of despair, He cares for us too, offering us rest and renewal when we need it most.