Where Can We Find Rest? Learning to give it the Lord.
In today’s fast-paced world, true rest often feels out of reach. Yet, rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Just as our bodies need physical rest, our minds and spirits also need moments of renewal and peace.
Navigating daily responsibilities and unexpected challenges requires more than endurance; it calls for an intentional awareness of the value of rest. When we neglect to create space for rest and self-care, we open the door to burnout, anxiety, depression, and emotional instability—conditions that can even impact our physical health.
Pockets of time for self-care are important because they create intentional moments to recharge mentally, emotionally, and physically. Even short breaks can significantly impact well-being, especially in fast-paced or high-stress environments. Here’s why these small pockets matter:
Prevent Burnout: Consistently pushing through without rest drains energy and motivation. Short self-care moments act as recovery periods, helping prevent emotional exhaustion.
Support Mental Clarity: Taking a few minutes to pause—whether to stretch, breathe deeply, or reflect—can improve focus, decision-making, and reduce overwhelm.
Build Resilience: Regular self-care, even in small doses, helps manage stress more effectively and strengthens your ability to cope with challenges over time.
Encourage Consistency: Small, frequent self-care practices are easier to maintain than waiting for long, infrequent breaks. This consistency creates sustainable habits.
Reinforce Self-Worth: Carving out time for yourself, no matter how brief, is a reminder that your well-being matters—helping to reinforce boundaries and promote balance.
Thanks be to God, we are not left to carry our burdens alone. He invites us to lay down our worries, to release the weight we often carry silently, and to find true rest in Him. In His presence, we are refreshed, strengthened, and reminded that we are never meant to do life in our own strength.
Matthew 11: 28-30 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Letting go of the things that weigh us down can take many forms. One of the most powerful ways is by surrendering our burdens to God through prayer, quiet reflection, and a heart of gratitude. But to truly experience the freedom this brings, we must make it a part of our daily rhythm.
We can also make a conscious decision to release worry, choosing instead to give thanks in all things and to rejoice, even in the midst of uncertainty. It’s in these intentional moments that we begin to walk in peace and strength, trusting that God is working on our behalf.
Why is it that we can be thankful in spite of?
Colossians 4:2 Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Grasping the truth of this scripture brings a deep sense of peace, reminding us that no matter what we face, God is able—and faithful—to use it for our good. This assurance allows us to shift our focus from fear of a negative outcome to faith in a positive one. Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, we can confidently walk in trust, knowing that God is working all things together for our benefit.
1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Be confident in what you have already learned about God and how much He loves you. Keep in mind all the things that He has already taught you.
Matthew 4: 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew reminds us that man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. While food nourishes only our physical bodies—and only for a time—our true sustenance comes from our faith and hope in Jesus. His Word offers lasting nourishment, not just for our bodies, but for our souls, minds, and spirits. It is the divine source that strengthens us in ways earthly things never could.