Sabbath and Rest: Chrysostom on Rest from Anxiety

John Chrysostom connected Sabbath rest specifically to release from anxiety. He preached: "Do not say to me, 'I cannot rest because I have so much to do.' This is precisely why you must rest -- because your soul has become so enslaved to doing that it has forgotten how to be." Chrysostom diagnosed the spiritual disease of chronic busyness centuries before the modern epidemic.

Chrysostom taught that anxiety about work is a form of idolatry -- trusting our own effort more than God's provision. "When you refuse to rest, you are saying to God: 'My work is more important than Your promise. I cannot trust You to sustain me if I stop working for one day.'"

Practical application: On your Sabbath day, notice how many times the urge arises to "quickly check email" or "get just one thing done." Each time, recognize it as what Chrysostom would call anxiety masquerading as diligence. Say instead: "Lord, I trust that You can manage the world without my help for one day." Then rest.