Why Rest Feels So Hard for Christians - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - May 20, 2026
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).
Do you struggle to rest?
Throughout my life, I’ve been a busy bee, often made uncomfortable by silence, rest, or inactivity. When my mom would take a nap, I shuddered. When my friends would sit and play on their phones, I thought, “You’re wasting so much time!” Even when my husband attempts to relax, I find myself wondering why he’s not using his time “more efficiently.” The reality is that I may be the one with the bigger problem.
From the beginning of creation, God created rest as a gift to be enjoyed, not an experience to sell. But that’s exactly what our culture has done. We’ve made “rest” seem like bubble baths, spa days, or paying too much attention to ourselves. Instead of finding peace, we end up with a longer list of self-care to-dos.
Most of us are exhausted, but we can’t seem to stop. And maybe that’s because all our lives we’ve understood rest wrong. Rest feels unsafe when our nervous system has learned that stillness equates vulnerability. But Jesus doesn’t just invite us into spiritual rest; He speaks into our embodied exhaustion.
In Matthew 11:28-30, we read a familiar passage on rest that is often overused. But what I want to focus on today is that when Jesus says “come to me,” this is His offer of relational safety before we may experience any behavioral change. Because we’re invited to come to Him as we are, struggles included.
Jesus isn’t demanding effort first, or that we magically learn how to rest overnight. No, he’s offering refuge first because true rest is found in a person, not in performance. A person who tells us we can lay the mask down. Take a breather. Loosen our grip.
For many of us, learning to relinquish this control and physically stop is difficult because our nervous systems have been conditioned this way. Especially for those of us who grew up in trauma, chronic stress triggers a life of constant baseline fight or flight. When we try to rest or pause, we then feel:
-Guilt (“I should be doing something.”)
-Anxiety (“something will fall apart if I stop.”)
-Identity fear (“I’m only worthy when I’m productive.”)
Instead of seeing rest in this light, let us learn to reframe it as healthy resistance. Resting isn’t rebellious, but at one time, your body did learn urgency as safety.
Today, you and I have a gift that Matthew 11 speaks of. A gift that doesn’t ignore our nervous system, but invites Jesus into it. Because Jesus’ “yoke” is a shared load, not solo striving. And the rest isn’t inactivity, but relearning trust over time.
Friends, no matter what you’ve been told, rest isn’t the absence of responsibility, but rather the presence of God in the face of your limits. Because you weren’t created to do it all. And sometimes, the greatest obedience looks like stopping.
Instead of asking, “What will happen if I slow down?” ask God, “What do I fear will happen when I do?” Then, practice 20 minutes of guilt-free rest this week: reading a book you enjoy, trying a new activity, or simply taking a walk without your phone.
No productive outcome, no multitasking, just being present in the moment. Because rest might feel unsafe, but it doesn’t have to feel that way forever.
Dear Jesus, I’m weary. Please teach my body how to rest in you and remind me that even if it feels unsafe, I’m safe in your arms. Quiet my fears and remind me I don’t have to earn rest. I love you, Lord. Amen.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
