209: The One Habit That Finally Explains Why You’re Still Exhausted: A Christian Wellness Perspective

If you’ve been pushing through exhaustion, ignoring your own needs to take care of everyone else, and wondering why you still feel worn down no matter how hard you try, this episode is for you. In this episode, we look at an old story about two woodcutters and what it teaches us about holistic health, faith-based rest, and why sharpening your axe matters more than working harder.

This episode is for the Christian woman who is ready to take real steps toward healing. If you’ve tried supplement after supplement, diet after diet, and you’re still exhausted, this conversation will help you understand what might actually be missing.

The Story of the Two Woodcutters

Two woodcutters, Jake and Jonas, competed to see who could chop the most wood by the end of the day. Jonas never stopped. Jake stopped every hour. By sundown, Jake had won, not despite the breaks, but because of them. Every time he stopped, he was sharpening his saw.

This story usually gets told as a lesson in productivity. But it points to something deeper about how we care for our bodies and our health.

What Ecclesiastes 10:10 Teaches Us About Sharpening Our Axe

Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the iron is blunt and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” A dull axe forces us to work harder for less result. The same is true in our health. When we neglect the basics, our bodies have to work harder just to keep up, and we still fall short.

Why We Should Ask God How to Sharpen Our Saw

Instead of guessing our way through diets, supplements, and health trends, we can ask God how to care for our specific bodies. He knows us best. Sharpening our saw might look different for each of us, but it starts with the same question: what does God want me to prioritize?

Jesus Modeled Rest and Intentionality

Mark 1:35 describes Jesus rising early, while it was still dark, to go pray alone. When His disciples told Him everyone was looking for Him, He didn’t rush back to meet every need. He said, “Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”

Jesus was intentional. He rested with God first, and He didn’t try to be everything to everyone. That’s a pattern worth following, especially for women who feel responsible for holding everything together.

Practical Ways to Sharpen Your Axe

Sharpening your saw looks different for everyone, but a few examples came up in this episode:

• Spending unhurried time with God, even before the day gets busy
• Watching what you eat and food prepping ahead of time
• Getting support from a friend, therapist, pastor, or church community
• Swapping out personal care or cleaning products for cleaner options
• Spending time with friends, not just family
• Moving your body in a way you enjoy, whether that’s kickboxing, walking, or light strength training
• Reducing stress wherever possible, including something as simple as stopping to eat at a set time

None of these are quick fixes. They’re the ongoing, unglamorous habits that keep us from running on empty.

Time-Stamped Highlights

• 00:00 — Introduction: your health might be suffering because you’re skipping the important things
• 00:00–01:25 — The story of the two woodcutters, Jake and Jonas
• 01:25 — Ecclesiastes 10:10 on sharpening a dull blade
• 01:52 — What it means to sharpen our saw when it comes to health
• 02:21 — Mark 1:35, Jesus rising early to pray before the demands of the day
• 03:19 — Jesus’ intentionality: “that is why I came out”
• 04:17 — Practical examples: food prep, community support, and personal care swaps
• 04:44 — A hospice worker’s insight on end-of-life regrets around friendship
• 05:13 — Joyful movement and protecting your relationships during busy seasons
• 06:09 — The role of strength training as we age
• 06:37 — Reducing stress as one of the most important things you can do for your health
• 07:07 — A nurse’s perspective on burnout from skipping breaks and meals
• 07:36 — Why God, not trial and error, is the best source of wisdom for your body

Key Takeaways

• Working harder isn’t always the answer. Sometimes what your body needs is rest, not more effort.
• Sharpening your axe isn’t one-size-fits-all. What God asks you to prioritize may look different than what He asks someone else to prioritize.
• Jesus modeled rest and intentional boundaries, even when others wanted more of His time.
• Small, consistent habits, like eating on time, moving your body, and staying connected to friends, matter more than we often give them credit for.
• This episode isn’t medical advice. It’s an invitation to slow down, reflect, and ask God what your body actually needs.

Ready to Stop Running on Empty?

If you’re tired of guessing what your body needs and ready to take real, focused steps toward healing, book a free 15-minute Introductory Call at herholistichealing.com/call. We’ll talk through what’s actually going on and whether working together is the right next step for you.