Resting Playfulness: Rediscovering Joy for the Health of Your Soul

Many adults forget how to play. Somewhere between childhood wonder and grown-up responsibilities, the lighthearted joy of play gets replaced by schedules, deadlines, and productivity goals. Yet play is not childish — it’s deeply human, and deeply healing. Scripture tells us that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Resting playfulness combines both joy and restoration, inviting us into a space where we can breathe, move freely, and feel delight without the pressure to produce.

In a distracted, high-stress culture, resting playfulness is a spiritual and emotional reset. It nourishes your nervous system, strengthens your relationships, and refreshes your spirit — while reminding you that joy is part of God’s design for your wholeness.

The Biblical Case for Play

When we read about the Father’s creation, we see beauty, variety, and even playfulness woven into the design. Psalm 104:26 speaks of the Leviathan, which God made “to frolic there” in the sea. Proverbs 8 describes wisdom as rejoicing in God’s creation. Yeshua welcomed children and used the imagery of childlike faith to point us toward the YHVH’s Kingdom (Matthew 18:3).

Play is not a distraction from serious spiritual life — it’s part of it. It reminds us of our freedom, the lightness of grace, and the delight of simply being in YHVH’s presence.

Why We Lose Our Playfulness

Many of us grew up hearing messages like “work first, play later,” “don’t be silly,” or “serious people are more respected.” While work and discipline are important, over time this mindset can cause play to feel unproductive or even irresponsible.

In adulthood, busyness becomes a badge of honor, and rest often looks like collapsing into a couch with a screen — not true restoration. But resting playfulness requires intention. It’s not about entertainment or distraction. It’s about choosing activities that awaken joy, spark creativity, and replenish the soul.

The Science of Play and Rest

Neuroscience shows that play lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), increases dopamine and serotonin (mood regulators), and stimulates brain regions responsible for creativity and problem-solving. For the nervous system, playful rest signals safety. When we laugh, move freely, or lose ourselves in a creative activity, our body shifts from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest mode.

Pairing play with intentional rest creates a powerful combination. It allows us to release tension while also restoring the deeper parts of ourselves that constant striving wears down.

Practicing Resting Playfulness

1. Schedule Play Like You Would Rest
Don’t wait for free time — make time. Block a weekly “play hour” in your calendar and treat it like a sacred appointment.


2. Choose Activities That Don’t Have a Goal
The best play is process-focused, not results-focused. Examples: painting without a plan, dancing in the kitchen, exploring a park, or building something for fun.


3. Bring in Nature
Outdoor play — gardening, hiking, swimming, or tossing a ball — helps ground the body and lifts the mood. Creation invites curiosity and wonder.


4. Play With Others
Shared play strengthens bonds and fosters a sense of belonging. This could be a game night, a family water balloon fight, or a silly group challenge.


5. Release the Pressure to Be “Good” at It
Resting playfulness is about freedom, not performance. The goal is joy, not mastery.

Spiritual Benefits of Resting Playfulness

Renewed Perspective – Play shifts our focus from stress to gratitude, helping us see YHVH’s gifts more clearly.

Increased Trust – Childlike play reminds us to trust our Father’s care rather than carry every burden ourselves.

Deepened Relationships – Laughter and shared experiences create emotional safety and connection.

Reflection of YHVH’s Character – Our joy reflects the joy of the Creator, who delights in His creation.

Resting Playfulness in Sabbath Living

The Sabbath was made for rest and delight (Isaiah 58:13–14). This means play can be an act of worship when it draws us into gratitude and wonder. Consider incorporating resting playfulness into your Sabbath rhythms: take a nature walk, bake a fun recipe, play music, or do something purely for the joy of it.

When we make space for joy on purpose, we practice the Edenic rhythm — a life not ruled by constant labor but by a balance of work, rest, and delight.

Overcoming Barriers to Play

If play feels foreign or forced, start small. You may need to work through guilt (“I should be doing something productive”) or self-consciousness (“I’m too old for this”). Remember: play is not an escape from responsibility but a way to refill your capacity to show up well in life.

Also, avoid confusing play with passive consumption. Scrolling social media may be entertaining, but it rarely restores. True play engages your body, mind, or creativity in a life-giving way.

Closing Encouragement

Resting playfulness is a spiritual, mental, and physical gift. It invites us to step out of striving and into the joy that the Creator designed for us. In a culture that idolizes busyness, choosing to rest playfully is a quiet rebellion — a way to say, “My worth is not in my productivity, but in being a beloved child of YHVH.”

Whether it’s flying a kite, playing a board game, or simply skipping stones across a pond, your soul will thank you — and so will the people you share that joy with.


Key Takeaway: Play isn’t a luxury. It’s part of a healthy, God-honoring life that restores your energy, your relationships, and your joy.

Be sure the download the free journal page below, and don’t forget to check back on May 8th, 2026 for the next exclusive article!

If you missed it, be sure to check out last month’s article and journal page

Star Gazing as Worship

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