How to Rest Well
We live in a world that doesn’t stop moving. Our society propels us to live in perpetual motion without stopping. There’s the constant hustle of work, school, family, and social obligations that leave us with little room for rest throughout our day. Even when we get the time to do so, we feel guilty because we think we should be doing something more “productive.”
But what would happen if we actually took a step back and examined our hearts? We would see that there’s a tension in us between the need to keep moving and the deep desire to rest. While we may try to ignore the impulse to rest, it doesn’t change the truth: God made us for rest.
Where Our Rest Comes From
Rest, as a Christian, is different from what society says or what we might think it is. It’s not simply rest that comes from being still or quiet. And it isn’t just about taking naps or turning off our devices for an afternoon. These things aren’t ultimately what we’re after. Instead, rest is a journey toward wholeness.
Our desire and need for rest speaks to the underlying reality that we were created for wholeness, not brokenness. When we open the pages of Scripture, we see a people hungry for rest and a God leading His people toward that end. But this journey doesn’t just involve the people in Scripture; it involves you and me.
David writes in Psalm 62:1, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him” (NIV). The rest we’re all searching for only comes from a Person. Our pursuit of wholeness is only made possible by and through Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection made the way for our brokenness to be mended and our restless hearts to be settled. No longer are we restlessly searching for truth, for the gospel has given us rest.
What it Means to Rest in Christ
In Psalm 116:7, David says to his soul, “return to your rest.” Every one of us is on a journey to return to our rest, and it’s in Jesus that our restless hearts find their home. He’s the One who provides restoration for our souls. He’s the One who makes intimacy with God a reality forever.
So if our rest is found solely in the grace of Christ, then that means it isn’t found in what we do or don’t do. It isn’t simply about physical relaxation; it’s about the deep peace we experience when we stop trying to earn God’s love or carry the weight of our own burdens. Rest is offered to us only as we come to Jesus and trust in His sufficiency, grace, and peace.
No matter how fast the world seems to be moving, we can rest knowing that Jesus has already accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. Our ultimate rest is founded upon the finished work of Christ on the cross. We rest because He has done the work for us. We rest because, in Him, we’re forgiven, accepted, and loved.
How to Find Rest in Christ
Practically speaking, resting in Christ is a rhythm we’re to practice each and every day. While there are many different ways to experience His restful presence, here are three ways you can rest in Him today:
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Draw Close to Christ Through Bible Reading
Scripture continually points us to Jesus, revealing who He is and all that He has done for us. When we spend time in the Word, we’re being drawn closer to Christ Himself. Even a few moments in Scripture can shift our focus from life’s noise to the rest that comes from knowing His grace and sufficiency.
2. Meditate on Scripture
Meditating on Scripture involves us internalizing God’s Word and applying it to our lives. As we meditate on a verse, we should take time to let those words sink into our hearts. We should consider what they mean to us and how they change our lives. This practice helps our restless hearts find their home in Christ.
3. Make Time Throughout the Day to Pray
Rest should be about turning our hearts to God in the midst of our day. Whether it’s during our commute, in between meetings, or while folding laundry, we should create space to stop and pray. Simply bringing our cares to God and resting in His presence can be incredibly refreshing for our souls.
In the midst of our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to forget that the rest our hearts long for can’t be found in mere moments of physical stillness or in the fleeting distractions of this world. True rest is found in Christ alone. As we draw near to Him, we experience the deep, soul-refreshing rest that only He can offer. It doesn’t remove us from life’s demands, but rather settles our hearts in the reality of His finished work. Jesus invites us to stop the striving and to rest in the salvation He has already secured for us. In Him, our restless hearts find their true home, and in His grace, we receive the wholeness we were created for.
Note:
This blog post was adapted partly from The Daily Grace Study, Rest: From Eden to Eternity
Additional Resources for Rest:
