How to Actually Find Rest and Peace in God

Why It’s More Than Just a Bible Verse or Sunday Morning Vibe

We hear it all the time in church settings:

“Just rest in the Lord.”

“God’s peace passes all understanding.”

“Let go and let God.”

And while these phrases are scripturally inspired, they’re often used like spiritual band-aids—short, sweet, and sometimes dismissive. But what does it really mean to rest in God? What does actual peace look like in the chaos of our daily lives, in grief, anxiety, burnout, or heartbreak?

Let’s go deeper.

The Tension Between Faith and Reality

If you’ve ever been told to "just pray more" when you were overwhelmed or anxious, you're not alone. In fact, most of us struggle with what it means to truly rest in God because life rarely gives us a break. And when it does, our brains are often too noisy to enjoy the stillness.

Here’s the truth we don’t say enough in church:

You can believe in God and still feel restless. You can trust God and still feel anxious. You can love God and still not feel peace.

This isn’t a lack of faith. It’s a reflection of our humanity. But God never asked us to pretend everything is okay—He invited us to bring our burdens to Him honestly.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Notice Jesus doesn’t say, “Come to me when you have it all together.” He invites the weary, the burdened. And if you’ve found your way to this post, chances are, that includes you too.

What Is Rest, Really?

Rest in the biblical sense isn’t just sleep or time off. It’s deeper. It’s a soul posture.

The Hebrew word for rest, “nuach,” implies settling in, remaining, being still. It’s the same word used when God “rested” on the seventh day—not because He was tired, but because He had completed the work.

Similarly, shalom (peace) doesn't mean the absence of problems—it means wholeness, completion, and harmony.

To find rest and peace in God is to:

Trust His presence even when we don’t see results.

Surrender what we can’t control.

Be rooted in something (Someone) bigger than our circumstances.

Return again and again when we wander mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

Why We Struggle to Rest in God

Let’s get practical and honest. Here are five big reasons many of us struggle:

1. We equate rest with passivity.

Resting in God doesn’t mean we stop acting—it means we stop striving for control.

2. We don’t know how to turn off our brains.

Many of us live with constant internal noise. Anxiety, past trauma, grief, or even the pressure to "do better" can make peace feel impossible.

3. We haven’t been taught how to emotionally regulate.

Some churches spiritualize everything and unintentionally ignore the emotional tools that help us practice rest. (This is where therapy and Jesus are BOTH helpful!)

4. We think we need to feel spiritual all the time.

But peace isn’t a feeling. It’s a fruit of the Spirit, something that grows even in dry seasons.

5. We’re afraid to be still.

Because stillness forces us to face what’s been buried. But God meets us even there.

Practical Ways to Actually Rest in God

Here are some real tools for emotional, mental, and spiritual rest—not a checklist, but an invitation to try something new:

1. Breath Prayer

A simple tool where you combine your breath with scripture or a truth. Example:

Inhale: “You are my refuge…”

Exhale: “…and my peace.”

Try this with Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.”

2. Sabbath Practice

Not just church attendance, but true disconnection from hustle. A sacred pause.

This could be a walk, unplugging from your phone, or journaling.

3. Scripture Immersion (Not Just Reading)

Don’t just read the Bible. Sit with it. Ask:

What does this show me about God’s character?

What is God saying to me in this verse right now?

Start with these:

Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast…”

Psalm 62:5 — “Yes, my soul, find rest in God…”

4. Guided Silence

Set a timer for 3-5 minutes.

No prayer requests. No music. Just sit and say, “God, I’m here.” Let yourself breathe.

You may feel distracted. That’s okay. Come back again tomorrow.

5. Journaling with God (Not About God)

Write your thoughts like a letter to Him. Don't edit. Just be honest.

Some prompts:

God, I’m tired because…

I need Your peace in this area…

What would You want me to release today?

Rest Is a Person, Not a Place

One of the most powerful truths is this:

Rest is not found in the absence of pain, it’s found in the presence of Jesus.

Peace is not the elimination of problems. It’s the awareness that we are not alone in them.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27

The world offers peace through performance, control, distraction, and denial. Jesus offers peace through presence.

Faith + Mental Health: The Missing Link

Finding peace in God does not mean ignoring anxiety, depression, or trauma. It means bringing those things to Him—and allowing them to be tended to, sometimes with the help of therapists, support groups, or medication.

We need to normalize the following truth:

• You can see a therapist and trust Jesus.

• You can take medication and rest in God's promises.

• You can struggle and still be full of faith.

That’s not compromise—it’s wisdom. It’s healing. And it’s biblical.

Returning Daily to Peace

You’re not going to master this overnight.

Peace is a daily practice. Rest is a repeated choice.

Some days, it will feel supernatural. Other days, it will feel like sitting in the dark waiting for dawn. But dawn does come. And God is faithful.

Even in your restlessness, He’s there.

A Prayer for You

Father,

I don’t always know how to rest.

My mind runs ahead, my heart feels heavy, and peace feels far away.

But I choose today to come to You—

Weary, burdened, imperfect, and open.

Teach me how to rest in Your love,

Not in my circumstances.

Let Your peace guard my mind and my heart.

Let me breathe deeply and remember: I’m not alone.

You are near. You are enough. You are peace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does rest currently look like for you? Is it working?

2. What are 1–2 things keeping you from true peace in this season?

3. How can you invite God into those areas this week?

Share This Article:

If this encouraged you, share it with someone else who feels burnt out, overwhelmed, or anxious. Let’s normalize finding real rest in a real God—no masks, no platitudes.