Eight Steps to a Truly Restful Vacation

Let’s be honest—most of us are burned out before we ever leave for vacation. We scramble to get ahead at work, tackle to-do lists at home, and sprint into our “time off” exhausted. Then we try to squeeze in fun, rest, adventure, and connection—all while still feeling mentally tethered to work or weighed down by our own high expectations. No wonder we come home tired.

But rest isn’t a luxury, it’s God’s design.

Even Jesus had to interrupt His disciples and encourage them to rest.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”  - Mark 6:31 ESV

If He needed to say that to His closest followers, how much more do we need to hear it today? After years of trial and error—and one life-changing two-week unplugged vacation—I discovered eight practical steps that can help turn your next vacation into what it was meant to be: restorative, joyful, and holy.

1. Pray for Your Work

Before you go, pray that God would hold your work together while you’re away. Ask friends to pray too. Trust that He will honor your time of rest and handle what you’ve left behind.

2. Pray for Your Relationships

Ask God to bless your time with family or friends. Pray for deeper connection, stronger unity, and meaningful conversations. Your time together is sacred—invite Him into it.

3. Secure Support at Work

If possible, assign a “vacation buddy”—someone who can field urgent matters in your absence. It builds trust, reduces anxiety, and sets a great example when it’s their turn to unplug.

4. Consider a Temporary Phone

It might sound extreme, but a simple phone with no email or work apps—only for emergencies—can create mental freedom you didn’t know you needed. At minimum, consider removing your work email for the week.

5. Plan to Play—and Plan to Rest

For every scheduled activity, plan for unscheduled time. Leave space for God to show up in the quiet, the spontaneous, and the small surprises.

6. Expect Delays—and Embrace Them

Your schedule WILL be interrupted - flights, traffic, reservations—they’ll shift. But sometimes, the delay becomes the best memory of the trip. Prepare to pivot with grace.

7. Write a Thoughtful 'Out-of-Office' Reply

Your autoresponder can do more than inform—it can inspire. Let others know you’re unplugging fully and encourage them to do the same when it’s their turn.

8. Vacation at the Speed of Cash

Set a clear budget and stick to it. Some of the best memories cost nothing—think treasure hunts, picnics, or sunset walks. Peace on vacation starts with peace in your finances. You don’t have to do this perfectly, but you can prepare prayerfully.

Whether you adopt one step or all eight, God wants you to rest. He’s already in the quiet place, waiting for you to join Him there.

Your work can wait. Your soul cannot.

This year, let your vacation be more than a break–let it be a blessing.

NEXT STEPS: If you want to go a little deeper, please listen to Money Made Faithful podcast Episode #188 titled: You're 8 Steps Away from your Best Vacation Ever- Refreshed Replay (21 minutes)

Apple: Episode #188

Spotify: Episode #188