Feeling Productive or Just Being Consumed?

The Complicated Truth About Hustle Culture

Feeling Productive or Just Being Consumed?

In 1 Kings 19:4, the prophet Elijah collapses under a broom tree and cries out, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life.” He had just come off a massive victory, but his body and soul were wrecked. Sound familiar?

A Wall Street Journal report shared a haunting story: Junior bankers working 110-hour weeks at a firm in Chicago thought a surprise pizza party was a reward. Instead, their managers told them to work harder. Not long after, one banker collapsed and was hospitalized with pancreas failure. He was later fired for “low productivity.”

It’s easy to say this is corporate greed, but if we’re honest, many Christian professionals fall into the same trap. We call it “grind” and say it’s for the family, the kingdom, or “just for this season.” But Scripture tells a different story.

The Warning Signs Are Everywhere

Modern research backs what Scripture already teaches: chronic overwork is toxic. The CDC notes that long work hours increase risk for cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety. A Harvard study showed people working over 55 hours a week have a 33% greater risk of stroke.

And Jesus? He rested. He pulled away from the crowds (Luke 5:16), instructed the disciples to come away and rest (Mark 6:31), and never rushed to perform miracles. Peace wasn’t something He stumbled into—it was His pace.

Your Body is Not a Machine. It’s a Temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” Not a productivity unit. Not a 24-hour robot. A temple. And temples are places of order, not chaos.

So how do we push back?

3 Peaceful Shifts You Can Make This Week

1. Block Sabbath Hours – If you can’t take a full day off, block 3–4 hours a week as “no work” windows. Defend them fiercely.

2. Pray the Hours – Start with just one: morning, noon, or evening. Even 3 minutes of structured prayer can reset your nervous system.

3. Journal Like a Saint – Many of the desert fathers wrote daily reflections. Use a small notebook to release stress and restore clarity.

This Isn’t About Slowing Down. It’s About Showing Up Whole.

You weren’t made to burn out for profit margins. You were made to be fully alive in Christ, present in your family, sharp in your work, and still enough to hear the voice of God.

Even Elijah, at his lowest, didn’t get a lecture. He got a nap, a hot meal, and a whisper from the Lord.

Maybe that’s what we need too.