Finding rest in God does not need to be as complicated as one might think. As we go through our day, many of us struggle with anxiety and feelings of angst, which leads to unrest in our souls, so do we combat that? Is there an answer to finding rest in God? I dare say there might be. Let’s explore Hebrews four as we look at finding rest in God.
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What Does it Mean to Find Rest in God?
What does it look like to live in God’s rest? The entire journey of motherhood can feel full of anxiety and unrest as we change diapers, clean our homes, make a ridiculous amount of meals, educate our children, and still try to remain sane ourselves. Now I am kind of speaking about motherhood when our kids are young, but I do believe that this idea of living in God’s rest can be for any season of motherhood and beyond.
These tips are not exclusive to motherhood, however, because that’s the framework I am writing from, you will notice that I’m speaking from the perspective of a mom with young children.
Just so you know a little bit about what my day looks like, my day typically starts between 3 am and 4 am, I read my Bible (join my Bible reading plan here), and then I clock into my job. Later that day, I clock out, homeschool our kids, manage our home, create sourdough, take care of our homestead, and garden, and run my business. Some women have claimed that I am setting unrealistic expectations for other moms, and some relate to my life with their own busy schedules. As we look at this concept of finding rest in God, just remember that we all have different capacities and your capacity does not invalidate mine, or vice versa.
By the end of my day (typically when I’m making dinner) I’m starting to feel very frazzled and feeling very little (if any) of God’s rest. Let’s face it, motherhood can be brutal!
What does it mean to find rest in God? We are going to explore that further because there are many different avenues we can go down, but to put it simply, it means finding and meditating on biblical truths in the moments and seasons when our body is too exhausted to truly feel at rest. These are the moments when our mind and spirit have to take over and chew on the biblical truths that we know.
Living in God’s rest is a profound experience that transcends mere physical rest and extends to the depths of the soul. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to find true rest in the presence of God through Christ Jesus. The concept of Sabbath rest, rooted in the ancient paths of scripture, is not confined to mere observance of a day but a continual state where the soul finds tranquility and peace. This goes beyond the seventh day God rested; it becomes a daily, ongoing communion with the Creator.
In the quiet place of meditation and prayer, people of God can discover the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. It is more than a ritualistic observance of a Sabbath day; it is a spiritual journey where the soul finds rejuvenation and strength in God’s presence. Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s love and grace, invites believers to enter into this rest. As a female servant of Christ, one learns to walk in the ancient paths, embracing the timeless truth that true rest is not only physical but a deep, abiding rest in the arms of the divine.
God’s rest is not a mere cessation of labor; it is an intimate connection with the source of life. In the presence of God, the soul finds solace, and the peace that comes from trusting in Him permeates every aspect of life. Beyond the constraints of time, the concept of Sabbath rest becomes a timeless reality for those who choose to walk in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, experiencing the profound rest that can only be found in God’s unwavering love and grace.
What Does the Bible Say about Finding Rest?
So how do we as mamas experience God’s rest no matter what our capacity is, or what our days look like? Let’s open our Bibles to Hebrews 4:1. This section of scripture is a beautiful passage and we can gain insight about finding rest in God from its text.
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
Hebrews 4:1ESV
That ‘let us fear part’ made me pause because that is fairly forceful language to use. Should we fear if we are not experiencing the rest of God’s promises? Let’s turn back a chapter to gain some context. This verse continues a line of thought from chapter 3, we know this because it uses the word ‘therefore’, so we need to pay attention to what has previously been said. Chapter three talks about the example of Israel’s failure in the desert. The people failed to trust fully in God and as a result were denied the promised land. The “rest” mentioned in verse one is not a metaphor for salvation but rather of the promised inheritance of God’s children. The rest that we are seeking is the heavenly rewards.
Let’s skip ahead a little bit because I think we will find our answer about rest for the mama in verses 11, 12, and 13
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:11-13 ESV
This is our beautiful answer. How do we stay in God’s rest throughout our day? We saturate ourselves with God’s Word. We hold fast to God’s promises. We work our salvation with fear and trembling. We seek forgiveness when we blow up at spilled milk or in my case this week spilled kombucha, and then we rest in the promise of God’s heavenly rewards.
It’s easy to dwell on things that are not productive. Fear is a liar, but as mothers and homemakers, we are nurturers that is how God made us. Although our nurturing instinct is good, it comes with problems. We worry about our pregnancies, we worry about our births, we worry about each child in many different ways, we worry about if we are doing enough in our homeschooling, we worry about if we are doing enough in comparison to the other moms in our lives. I could go on, but you know what exactly what I’m talking about.
Let’s be reminded about another verse about rest which is from Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus wants us to lay down our burdens before him. He wants us to find the rest of the heavenly rewards talked about in Hebrews 4.
Other Bible Verses about Rest
Hebrews is not the only verses that talk about finding rest in God. The following Bible verses are some others that talk about the day of rest (the sabbath) or other aspects of spiritual rest. Finding rest in God is not something that can be done in our own strength. We need God’s Word in our daily lives as we seek after him. Finding rest in God is a spiritual discipline, it’s not something that we will just ‘get’ and then always be able to live it out. We will stumble and fall. It’s okay to get back up and try again again.
- Matthew 11:27-30
- Psalm 4:8
- Hebrews 4:9-11
- Psalm 127:2
- Isaiah 26:3
- Philippians 4:6-7
- Genesis 2:2-3
- Exodus 20:8-10
- Psalm 55:6
- Mark 2:27
- Exodus 23:12
- Exodus 33:14
- Isaiah 57:1-2
- Psalm 23
- John 16:33
Finding Rest in God
As you go through your day put aside the worries and conclude that there is only one thing that you need to worry about mama, and that’s missing the rest talked about in Hebrews 4:1. Every single time a worry creeps in, make an effort to set it aside and remind yourself that you only need to be worried about one thing. Focus on that heavenly rest that is coming and let Jesus take your burdens.
In the hustle and bustle of a busy schedule, especially in the American culture, finding true rest becomes a crucial aspect of the Christian life. Just as the people of Israel found their best times in the presence of the Lord, you and I can experience a kind of rest that goes beyond external circumstances. Even the clutter and noise of motherhood should not diminish the promise of rest we can have in Christ. It is an inner peace that surpasses understanding, rooted in the beautiful passages of God’s Word, which serve as a good book guiding the journey of faith.
Amidst the challenges and triumphs, the Lord’s presence remains a constant source of renewal and rejuvenation. He has unfailing love for you even the darkest valley. Living in God’s rest is an ongoing journey, a rhythm of life that unfolds in the assurance that, in His presence, all things work together for good. It is a divine invitation to partake in the goodness of rest and embrace the fullness of life that comes from abiding in the loving arms of the Creator.
God’s rest is not an escape from life’s challenges but a refuge in the midst of them. It is a state of being where the heavy burdens are lifted, and individuals find strength beyond their own. The promise of God’s rest echoes through the pages of scripture, inviting believers to enter into a sanctuary of peace and trust. In aligning their lives with the principles of God’s Word, individuals discover that the pathway to true rest is paved with God’s grace and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
It’s harder said than done, but take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Finding rest in God can be done. Go rest today mama.
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