Some people wake up in the morning excited to start their day. However, some people wake up in the morning anxious about their day, anticipating a long to-do list. A morning like this could indicate that something isn’t right. Being overwhelmed and exhausted before the day starts shows that you should look at what needs to change. After experiencing these feelings, you may realize that it’s time to step back and take a break.

That break could be physical, like clearing your schedule to rest your mind. However, that leave should be spiritual, pausing long enough to remember God’s truth. Sometimes, God will give us physical signs to remind us of our spiritual truths. Taking a spiritual break sounds simple, but it can be easier said than done. Maybe you’ve never considered what your mind and body are trying to tell you about your life. If so, here are some signs that God is telling you to step back.

Procrastination

Ecclesiastes 11:4 says whoever watches the wind will not plant, and whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. Procrastination leads you to delay your tasks because you’re afraid you won’t do the job well enough or have enough time to finish them. This procrastination causes paralysis because the longer you wait to start, the more work builds up, and feelings of fear continue. It’s a cycle that can be hard to break. However, discipline is one way to break that cycle. When you structure your day with times for work and rest, you won’t be afraid of the day as much. Your rest could include Bible reading and daily prayer.

Irritability

Another sign that you need a break is irritability. If you feel yourself getting agitated in traffic or impatient with your kids, it may be time to make some changes. If you catch yourself in sessions of irritability, your first response should be silence. Proverbs 29:11 says that a fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise quietly holds it back. Often, all you need is some alone time. Alone time can mean sitting alone or sitting and reading a book. However, what your alone time shouldn’t include is your phone. Looking at your phone or scrolling through social media can cause more irritability. When you build in times for rest, your irritability should wane.

Incapacity to Focus

A mind racing with to-do lists can block your ability to focus. It makes it hard to be present and remember little things, like people’s names. Proverbs 16:3 says to commit to the Lord with whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The issue may be that some of us don’t dedicate our work to the Lord enough. We put tasks that we think need to be done on our agenda instead of God’s plans in our hearts. A simple exercise of praying over each part of your day every morning could alleviate your stress. By praying over each part of your day, you can recognize what you need to get done versus what can wait. It can also help you anticipate inevitable interruptions, so you don’t become easily agitated by the distractions.

Dreading the Day

The average person wakes up in the morning excited about what’s to come. Still, some people wake up and can’t wait for the day to be over. When you dread the day ahead of you, life feels impossible and overwhelming. You feel unprepared and unequipped to face the day ahead of you. When you dread the day, you fear the expectations laid out for you. Dreading one day on your schedule now and then is normal. However, a pattern of dreading the day should be the first sign that it’s time to take a step back and break. Instead of being afraid of the day ahead, try to think of the positive things and ask God to get you through the day.

Anxiety

A lack of rest causes your mind to spiral with questions and unknowns. Your worry morphs from not getting daily tasks done to real fears, like your spouse getting sick. Anxiety is a sign that you need more margin in your life. It becomes necessary to step back and spend some time on your health. Taking care of your health includes getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and eating healthy. Matthew 6:34 says that we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own. This verse reminds us that we shouldn’t worry about what hasn’t come yet. Instead, we should take life one day at a time and take things as they come.

Sickness

Usually, our bodies will give us the first indication that we need rest. We feel achy and dizzy all the time. At some point, our bodies slow down because it’s tired. This is our body’s way of telling us that something isn’t right. It could be because you have rested enough or your diet isn’t the best. Your anxiety could also contribute to your sickness. Paying attention to your illness allows us to discern whether it’s rest that we need.

In today’s world, adults go along with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Society has trained adults to think that we have to work as hard as possible, and breaks are terrible. Millions of adults in the United States have unused paid time off because they feel that they have to keep working. However, leaves are necessary now and then. God wants us to work hard, but not to the point of exhaustion. Taking a break from the stresses of life will not only make you feel better but can strengthen your relationship with God and bring you closer to Him.

Being in the working world can take you away from God and make you feel like you’re overwhelmed. When you take a spiritual break, you can assess your life and see what areas in your life are lacking. If one of those areas is your relationship with God, then it may be time to take a spiritual break and get right with God.