Quote

“It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.” Brené Brown

Real Life

Naomi Osaka is a professional tennis player representing Japan. She rose to global fame in 2018 after winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Serena Williams in a tense and controversial final.

At just 20 years old, she showed not only world-class talent but remarkable composure under pressure. Since then, she has claimed four Grand Slam titles and become a global role model, not just for her powerful game, but for her authenticity, quiet strength, and willingness to speak out on issues that matter.

In 2021, Naomi made headlines again when she withdrew from the French Open after being fined for skipping mandatory press conferences. She had shared that anxiety and depression made these media obligations especially difficult, and the pressure was affecting her mental health. Her decision sparked a worldwide conversation about the need for rest in the lives of athletes, not just physical, but emotional and mental.

Elite athletes are often praised for pushing through pain and pressure. The sporting world glorifies the grind, often making rest seem like weakness. But Naomi’s honesty challenged that mindset. “I felt like I was hiding my emotions,” she said, “and I wasn’t being honest with myself or the people around me.” By choosing rest over relentless performance, she displayed a huge amount of courage. Yet the backlash revealed just how hard it can be to prioritise wellbeing in a results-driven world.

Naomi’s story reminds us that rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. In a culture that rewards constant output, taking time to pause protects our mental and emotional health. It renews our strength, refocuses our minds, and grounds us in who we are beyond what we do. Rest helps us step away from performance pressure and remember that our worth isn’t defined by achievement but by identity.

Scripture speaks often about rest. Psalm 23:2–3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Rest isn’t laziness or lack of ambition, it’s an invitation to be renewed. It’s part of God’s design for our life, and when we ignore it, the consequences are real: stress, burnout, and disconnection. But when we embrace rest as a gift, we build peace and resilience that help us face life’s demands with clarity and courage.

Naomi’s decision to step back and care for her mental health models this truth. Her story challenges us to rethink how we view rest, and to make space for it, not as an afterthought, but as a priority of restoration.

Bible Verse

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:2-3

Prayer

Lord, help me to recognise when I need rest and give me courage to step back without fear or shame. Remind me that my identity is in You, not in my performance or productivity. Restore my soul and renew my strength.

Author: Michaela Jameson   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley