Helping Christian Women Stop Striving &
Unwrap God’s Gift of Rest
Are you weary from the endless cycle of doing more just to feel enough? You're not alone.
Episode 10: Hope vs. Hustle — Where Rest Really Begins
Are you exhausted by your to-do list?
This week, I’m sharing a personal story about setting twelve goals (yes, twelve!)... and how quickly that turned from hopeful to overwhelming.
But here’s the truth God whispered to my heart—and I’m sharing it with you: You were never meant to earn hope by doing more.
In this episode, we’ll walk through the R.E.S.T. framework and discover what it means to lay down striving and live in light of the Living Hope.
And friend? If this speaks to your heart, would you share it with someone who needs the same reminder? We're not walking this road alone.
I’m Dawn Tolbert — writer, podcaster, and Christ follower who once lived in the constant grind of goals and checklists. I’ve discovered there’s another way: a journey into Rest, Not Striving, where hope isn’t earned and peace isn’t tied to performance.
Together, we’ll explore hope that doesn’t exhaust us because it is rooted in Jesus, sustained by grace, and found in relationship instead of achievement.
Here, you’ll find hope-filled, faith-inspired content to encourage us in our walk with Jesus.
I write to help both you and me remember: God’s rest something we earn. It’s a beautiful promise. When we stop performing and start trusting, something shifts. We begin to unwrap the gift of rest found only in Jesus
The Unwrapping Rest Podcast
Unwrapping Rest is for Christian women who feel the weight of perfectionism and the pressure of productivity. It’s not about what you should do next — it’s about how you can breathe a little easier today. Through honest stories, biblical wisdom, and heart-centered reflection, this podcast offers a fresh invitation into hope that sustains instead of stress.
DIVE INTO THE WORD WITH OUR NEW BIBLE STUDY
If today’s rest feels out of reach, my Bible study based on the book of Jonah and titled I’d Rather Die Than Obey: Trusting God Even When It Hurts might resonate deeply.
It unpacks that familiar story with fresh eyes, helping women face the real mess beneath the miracle. You’ll explore surrender, trust, and grace in ways that break the chains of striving.
🌿 Join the Journey
This season, I’m leading a Rest, Not Striving journey — not a series of checklists, but a shared invitation into true hope. Sign up for newsletter updates to receive reflection questions, episode notes, and encouragement that meets you exactly where you are.
From the blog
Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? You’re not alone. In this post, Dawn Tolbert shares how a mid-year reset turned into a deeper invitation — not to do more, but to discover true hope beyond striving. Join the Rest, Not Striving journey and learn how to find peace that doesn’t depend on your performance.