In this episode of the SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast, we visit with Carolyn Watts, an author and spiritual director, about her journey from a driven life as an obstetrician in Afghanistan to a gentler path of gentleness and rest.
Carolyn shares her experiences of burnout, illness, and how these challenges led her to discover the power of rest—both physical and spiritual. Reflecting on her book, Risking Rest: Embracing God's Love Through Life's Uncertainties, Carolyn talks about how she learned to honour her limitations and experience God's love in a more profound way.
Through intimate stories of her time in Afghanistan, Carolyn describes the intense pressures she faced, and how God met her in moments of stillness and rest. She also touches on the struggle many of us have with the Protestant work ethic, which often pushes us to the brink of burnout. Carolyn emphasizes that true rest requires grace, gentleness, and surrender to God’s love.
This conversation offers listeners a beautiful exploration of what it means to risk rest and to let go of the drive to constantly do and achieve. Carolyn's vulnerability and wisdom provide a much-needed reminder that rest is not only a physical practice but also a spiritual invitation to trust and abide in God's care.
Links:
Carolyn’s website - Click Here
Download a free chapter of Carolyn’s book Risking Rest - Click Here
Risking Rest: Embracing God's Love Through Life’s Uncertainties