As I grow older, I’ve come to realize that my body has an unspoken nap quota it’s determined to meet. Whether I’m deep into writing, diving into a book I’ve been waiting to read, or other ways that gives my brain a workout, my body will decide it’s exhausted—physically and mentally. Sometimes it feels like my brain waves a white flag, and staying awake becomes impossible without a quick nap. It’s clear that both the body and mind have a strong union that demands regular rest breaks!
When we think about rest, we often associate it with sleeping or simply doing nothing—and that’s not a bad thing. Taking time to rest relieves stress, recharges our energy, and allows both mind and body to recover for improved focus and performance. With rest, our minds stay sharp, creativity flows, and mistakes become fewer.
But Scripture shows us that there’s more to rest than naps and pitstops. God calls us to a deeper kind of rest: peace for our souls.
I recently came across an acronym for rest that sums it up beautifully:
True rest begins when we release every single thing to Him.
How to Have Rest in Jesus
1. Let Go of Anxiety and Negativity
Through prayer, we can let go of anxious thoughts and the weight of negativity, finding freedom in God’s peace. His peace not only calms us but also gives us strength and support.
- Psalm 29:11 – The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
- Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
2. Let Go of Life’s Burdens
When we are worn down by the demands of life, Jesus asks us to give over to Him all our worries, problems and concerns so we can find rest.
- Matthew 11:28–29 – Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.
3. Let Go of Our Need to Control
Letting go of our tight grip on circumstances brings peace that only God can give. Trusting Him allows us to walk in the direction He has already prepared for us.
- Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.
- Jeremiah 6:16 – Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
God is Our Source of True Peace
The reason we can have peace and rest is because God Himself is peace. When we walk with Him, rest follows.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 – For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
- Hebrews 4:9–10 – There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.
- Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
- Exodus 33:14 – My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Just as our bodies remind us of when it’s time to stop and rest, our souls give us signals too—moments when we feel weary, overwhelmed, or stretched thin. Naps may refresh the body, but only Jesus can refresh the soul. When we let go of every single thing into His capable hands, we discover the kind of rest that no amount of sleep can give—a peace that stays with us in every moment, because He is with us.
Journaling Prompts
- What “single thing” is hardest for me to release to God right now, and why?
- Which verse about rest speaks most to my current season, and how can I live it out this week?
Bible Color-Coding Exercise:
If you color-code your Bible, choose a highlighter color you haven’t yet used to mark these verses. On your color-coding sheet, label them with a title that will help you remember the theme—such as “Rest in the Lord” or “God’s Peace.”
Disclosure: All Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan
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