Could you use more rest these days? Not necessarily more sleep, but more of God’s divine rest?
As believers in Christ, we’re invited into the Lord’s calm assurance and peace. Despite the growing turmoil in the world, we have a guaranteed place of quietness and trust. As the prophet Isaiah said, “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.’”
You can enter God’s rest today by pivoting away from worldly distractions and turning your attention to heavenly things. Here are a few ways to do that.
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Exit The Chaos
We don’t have to look far to find chaos. One swipe on our phones leads us to the latest news, which almost always causes a sense of unrest. Interestingly, we often look for something controversial to satisfy our curiosity or confirm our suspicions. I’m guilty of this as well, but I’m learning to exit the chaos in exchange for greater peace.
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” The Amplified version says it this way: “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].”
Entering God’s rest starts with the mind. By turning our thoughts to heavenly things where Christ is seated, we can leave the chaos behind and embrace God’s peace. Practically, this includes limiting screen time, avoiding news outlets, and guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
For deeper rest, we can turn to the Scriptures, namely the Psalms, and fill our homes with worship songs. We can create peaceful havens of rest by resisting the world’s distractions and embracing sweet fellowship with God.
Colossians 3:10 tells us to “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Renewal happens in the secret, quiet place where our souls find rest. Here, we are able to hear His still, small voice and receive His peace beyond the noise.
Holy God, I’m ready to exit the chaotic pace of the world and enter Your rest. Please give me the self-discipline to limit my screen time and increase my time with you. Your voice is what I long to hear above all others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Grace Cary
Surrender Your Cares
There’s an old song from the 70s written by Kelly Willard called the Cares Chorus. It includes only three lines:
“I cast all my cares upon you.
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
And anytime I don’t know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon you.”
The lyrics are repeated several times throughout the song, and might be thought of as repetitive, but no other words are needed. Surrendering our cares to the Lord is key to entering His rest. We cannot hold on to our troubles and find the peace we seek.
I’ve found that surrender is needed over and over again. As anxieties come, the sooner we surrender them to our Heavenly Father, the easier it is to receive the rest He offers. As Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
In every situation, present your requests to God and experience His all-surpassing peace. The more you do this, the more automatic it will become. True rest is found in the practice of surrender.
Holy God, as I surrender all my cares to You, I pray for Your peace to guard my heart and mind. Lord, remind me to cast my burdens on You as often as necessary. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Let Go of Unforgiveness
In Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV), Jesus says, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
Forgiving others is a prequel to entering God’s rest. Without it, anger and resentment fill us with unsettled thoughts that interfere with our peace. This is also true when we’ve offended others. If anyone has something against us, and we know it, we should do all we can to settle the matter quickly.
Think of the last time you reconciled with someone you cared about. It was a relief to put offenses behind you and move forward together. Nothing quite like unity with others, especially within the Body of Christ.
Reconciliation won’t always be possible, and that’s ok. But forgiveness is a non-negotiable that Jesus commands. With His help, you can sincerely forgive others and bless them, even if reconciliation doesn’t happen. As Matthew 5:44-45 says, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
Let God’s love guide you into His restful presence as you let go of unforgiveness. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
Holy God, I choose to forgive those who’ve offended me in Your name and by Your grace. And I ask for the same grace and mercy from those I’ve offended. Please, Lord, let reconciliation and unity be according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Step Into His Light
How often does restlessness and unease hover over you like a heavy cloud? It’s good to step outside into the light and take a deep breath at these moments. There’s something about sunlight and fresh air that clears the cobwebs from our minds and helps us find rest in God.
Here are a few simple prayers as you spend time outdoors:
Lord, thank You for creating such beauty for me to enjoy. I inhale Your peace today.
Lord, open the eyes of my heart as I seek Your holy presence in the beauty of creation.
Lord, help me exhale every worry, knowing You will perfect all that concerns me.
Ephesians 5:8-10 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.”
Breathe in God’s light, which includes all goodness, righteousness, and truth. When you rest in the light of His love, it is pleasing to Him. Carve out time each day to spend in His creation, a place of beauty, rest, and peace.
Holy God, lead me into Your presence as I inhale fresh air and sunlight. I feel the warmth on my face, and I’m reminded of the warmth of Your love surrounding me. I choose to step into Your divine rest today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Simply “Be”
In my book, Prayer Worrier: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, I share what it looks like to rest in the Lord without needing to say anything. Here’s an excerpt:
“Did you know that when you go before the Lord in humble prayer, you don’t even need to speak a word? You can simply go to your knees and be silent. He knows the depths of every fear. He hears the unspoken lament of your pain. He just knows.”
So often, we feel the need to do something in order to gain God’s favor. But what about simply “being”? If you’ve never spent time with the Lord in silence, try it. If it’s helpful, turn on an instrumental worship song, keeping the volume low so you can focus on what God is saying.
This is a wonderful practice for entering God’s rest without needing to say the right things or pray a certain way. Open your hands to symbolize receiving what He might want to impart. Trust the voice of the Good Shepherd who leads you in the way you should go.
As Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Patience is a wonderful companion as you quiet your heart before the Lord and wait on Him. Oh, what wonderful things He has in store for you!
Holy God, You know how difficult it is for me to slow down and simply “be.” Please draw me to Your side in quietness and trust. I receive what You have for me as I enter Your rest without needing to say all the right things. In Jesus’ name, amen.
More Resources for Entering God’s Rest:
How to Rest in the Lord When Your World Is Upside Down
4 Ways to Find Rest When We Are Weary
9 Ways To Get Rid of Stress and Finally Enjoy Biblical Rest
Photo credit: Unsplash/Jametlene Reskp
Originally published Thursday, 18 September 2025.
