Finding True Rest Before the Rush of the Week Begins - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - August 18, 2026
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." - Psalm 62:1-2
There was a time when the weekend was an opportunity to rest and reset before the workweek ahead. Now that I have a house full of kids who are old enough to play sports and have a full schedule of activities that I am helping manage. Most weekends I am up early shuffling my six kids to soccer games, swim meets, birthday party, play performances, playdates, and more! The weekend is less of a restful reset and more of a sprint through our long list of family commitments.
This new normal is a problem.
We were designed with minds, bodies, and souls that absolutely require rest to function well. God commends us to find rest in him alone. At the start of creation, God built sabbath rest into our weekly rhythm. The Bible teaches that resting is holy, sacred, and required. Rest is not an optional spiritual practice; it’s a necessary one if we want to be vessels that are able to pour out God’s love on those around us.
My jam-packed calendar gets in the way of my ability to honor God’s call for a weekly sabbath. Sometimes it even gets in the way of my attending church; it can distract me from spending time in the Word, and if I keep up this wild pace for too long, I inevitably crash out. My disobedience to God’s Word results in burnout.
How then do I structure my life, with kids and all, in a way that allows me the chance to honor God’s commandment to rest in His presence every week? How do I create a rhythm that seeks the Lord for the grace I need for a new week of work, parenting, and caring for those I love?
First, I have to repent for living in a way that relies more on my own strength than God’s grace. I have to ask for forgiveness for putting time with God on the back burner and prioritizing everyone else over my relationship with the Lord. I can’t keep living in a way that ignores God’s clear instructions that we regularly take time to rest.
Next, I have to be intentional about creating time for rest. In crazy-busy seasons, it could be an early-morning coffee and Bible session before life gets rolling. It could be a commitment to attend church no matter what comes up, even if it means canceling plans that interrupt your weekly chance to worship. I must make restful time in God’s presence my top priority when evaluating my weekly schedule.
More than anything, I need the Lord to rekindle in my heart the joy of my salvation. I don’t just need to spend time connecting with the Lord weekly; I get to. Busy living gets in the way of our ability to experience the joy of the Lord. Rushing from place to place makes it impossible to hear God’s still, small voice. Pausing should be something I delight in! God is my provider, my firm foundation. I need to hear from him in order to tackle the week ahead well.
Let’s pray ...
Father,
I am sorry for filling my schedule up so much that I don’t have any time to rest in your presence. Rekindle in me the joy of my salvation. Remind me of how good it is to be in your house. Forgive me for believing I can live without you, without connecting and relying on your rest. Show me how to create a rhythm that includes rest and readiness for the week to come so I can best love those around me.
Amen.
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Tom Merton
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