When Pushing Through Stops Working
Weekly Grace | Edition #12
*Weekly Grace is your go-to Sunday newsletter for starting each week on a positive note. Each edition offers encouraging words to uplift your spirit, practical resources for a fulfilling week, and heartfelt prayers. Begin your week with grace, inspiration, and encouragement.*
Sunday Reflections
This past week was extremely hard as I wrapped up the semester (another post on procrastination coming this week).
All week long, I kept telling myself, “I cannot wait until this week is over so I can finally relax and do all the self-care things.” I was counting down to the finish line, convinced relief only existed on the other side of “done.”
Someway, somehow, in the middle of all the chaos, something clicked.
In seasons of mental or physical overwhelm, pushing through and overexerting yourself until someday isn’t always the answer. Sometimes the thing that actually helps you keep going is stopping long enough to take care of yourself now.
On Wednesday, while writing my final paper, I hit the wall. The one where your brain feels foggy and everything in you just wants to quit. Instead of forcing myself to push through, I stopped.
I went to the grocery store and bought ingredients to make the most comforting soup. As I chopped onions, carrots, and celery, I let my mind wander. I thought of all the things that I had been trying to suppress while attempting to focus on what felt more important. I wasn’t trying to solve anything. I just let my mind be free without condemnation lurking around the corner.
That pause helped.
Then, I ran into another wall. On Thursday, I was sitting in the student center, my lower back aching, my head pounding, staring at my screen. Again, instead of pushing through, I went home. I took a bath. I moisturized my body. I put on my favorite pajamas. And once my body felt cared for, I got back to work.
When people run marathons (not me), there are stations along the way. They don’t wait until the race is over to get water. They don’t push through dehydration just to prove they’re strong. They stop, refuel, and keep going.
Life works the same way.
You don’t need to wait until *it* is over to take care of yourself. No matter what your *it* may be. The rest, the self-care, the pause, all of it might be the very thing that helps you finish.
If you’re in a hard season right now, this is your permission slip to stop at a station. Drink some water. Sit down. Take a breath. Care for your body and your mind.
You don’t have to earn rest by burning yourself out first. 🤍
Prayer:
Lord,
Give me the wisdom to know when I need to push through and when I need to pause. Teach me to listen when my body and mind are asking for care. Remind me that rest isn’t something I have to earn and that slowing down doesn’t mean I’m failing. Meet me in the middle of this season and give me the grace to finish well.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
As you prepare for the week ahead…
Here’s your weekly roundup of resources and inspiration.
G – Good Reads
📖 The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson → I read this book for the first time last year after moving to Dallas, and I have never felt more seen and encouraged. It is now on my annual beginning-of-the-year reading list. If God has placed an unconventional dream in your life, you need to read this book!
📝 From the Archives
R – Recommendations
I have to share the soup recipe that I made this week because it was SO GOOD! I’m not even a soup girly, but this is a super easy recipe that I’ll be keeping in my back pocket for whenever it wants to get cold again in Dallas.
A – Announcements
Reading the Bible in a year in 2026? Grab this worksheet that will help you remember what you’ve read and how it connects with the rest of the biblical story.
C – Community
👉🏾 This week, I’m sharing a video that my friend and big brother posted on self-compassion and grace. If you struggle with being a little too hard on yourself, be sure to take a listen.
E – Essentials
📸 Linen Photo Album → Walgreens recently had a deal where you could get 100 4x6 photos for TWELVE DOLLARS!! I came across this beautiful photo album and cannot wait to fill it up with pictures from this year.
That’s it for this week’s round-up. Praying for a blessed week ahead!
With grace and glory,
Ashtyn 🤍
I recently had to be ok with taking a break when I was working on a paper as my anxiety was getting the best of me. As you said Ashton we try to push through knowing our bodies are telling to take a break. I was afraid to take a break because I thought I wouldn’t get the paper done and submitted on time. The Lord reminded that He worked everything out before for me to turn my previous papers in and why wouldn’t He do it this time. Thank you for this reminder Ashton and for your willingness to share.
This post was such an on time word for me. The Lord’s been telling me to slow down, and the title of your post hooked me. There was so much confirmation woven into your words and I thank you for your obedience in sharing this. These sentences in particular stood out to me the most:
“Sometimes the thing that actually helps you keep going is stopping long enough to take care of yourself now.”
“You don’t need to wait until *it* is over to take care of yourself. No matter what your *it* may be. The rest, the self-care, the pause, all of it might be the very thing that helps you finish.
“If you’re in a hard season right now, this is your permission slip to stop at a station. Drink some water. Sit down. Take a breath. Care for your body and your mind.”
“You don’t have to earn rest by burning yourself out first.”
“Meet me in the middle of this season and give me the grace to finish well.”
Okay, let me stop now before I end up reposting your whole article here in the comments lol ♡