Learning to Rest in God’s Presence

In a world that praises productivity, rest can feel unproductive or even lazy. We’re taught to measure our worth by what we accomplish. But God’s way is different. He invites us to come to Him, lay down our burdens, and find rest—not only physically but deep within our souls. Learning to rest—for many of us— is just plain hard to do.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 NKJV

When life feels busy or overwhelming, stopping to rest can seem impossible. We might feel as though we need to work harder, plan more, or push through. But God designed us to need time with Him, to refresh our souls in His presence. In His infinite wisdom, He knows that a weary soul leads to burnout, anxiety, and fear.

But Jesus Himself encouraged us to come to Him and accept the rest He has for us. We may understand the need for physical rest, but resting in God requires us to surrender our minds, hearts, and worries. It’s choosing to believe that we don’t have to earn His love, that we don’t have to do everything perfectly, and that we’re allowed to pause.

When we rest in God, we stop striving in our own strength and lean into His strength, allowing Him to replenish us.

To rest in God is to take our cares to Him in prayer, read His Word, and remember His promises. In these moments, we experience His peace, knowing He is at work even when we are still. God invites us to experience this soul-deep rest regularly. He wants us to bring our anxieties and our to-do lists, allowing His love to calm our hearts and reorder our priorities.

When was the last time you set aside 10 minutes to practice resting in God. Maybe you can start right now, find a quiet place, take a few deep breaths, and tell God about anything that’s weighing on you. Ask Him to fill you with His peace as you choose to trust and rest in His presence.

Today’s One Thing
Pray: “Father, thank You for offering me rest for my soul. Forgive me for the times I try to carry everything on my own. Help me to learn what it means to truly rest in You, to stop striving, and to find my peace in Your presence. Teach me to let go of my burdens and to trust that You are in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Go Deeper

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