To rest in God, stop for a set time and hand Him what you've stopped doing. The stopping matters, and so does the handing over, since a day off spent rehearsing your to-do list isn't very restful. Scripture treats rest as a gift and a command, which may be good news for anyone who feels guilty sitting down.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Notice that Jesus sent people to rest
The disciples came back from a busy stretch of work. There were so many people around that they hadn't had time to eat. Jesus' next instruction wasn't to get back out there:
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
Mark 6:31 (KJV)
If you need a reason to stop, there it is. Try putting a rest on your calendar, and treat it like an appointment with someone who matters.
Keep one day different
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Exodus 20:8 (KJV)
Your life may not allow a full day. Nurses, parents and shift workers know this. Try a smaller version: one evening a week when you don't do errands, housework or email. Decide on it in advance, because a tired person won't decide it in the moment.
Let yourself be led to it
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Psalm 23:2 (KJV)
Psalm 23 pictures being cared for first. Sometimes rest begins with a walk, a meal or an early night, and that's a spiritual matter as much as a physical one. When Elijah was at the end of himself in 1 Kings 19, God's first answer was sleep and food.
Hand over the list
Before you stop, write down what's unfinished. Then pray something like: Lord, this is all still here. You're not worried about it. I'm stopping now. The list will keep. There are more prayers for this in bedtime prayers for peaceful sleep.
Try this today
Find ten minutes. Put your phone in another room and sit somewhere with a window. Read Psalm 23 slowly, and don't do anything else. For the tired days, Bible verses for when you're tired and prayers for strength may help.
If you're exhausted and rest isn't touching it, please talk with your doctor. Ongoing exhaustion is worth getting checked.
Send this to the person who never stops, even if that person is you. Fig Devotional is a daily devotional for iPhone: a verse, a prayer and one small action, ending in a card like this one. Its guides are illustrated characters and its reflections are written with AI.
Common questions
What does it mean to rest in God?
It means stopping, and trusting God with what you've stopped doing. It is more than a nap. It's a way of admitting that the world doesn't depend on you.
How do I rest in God when I'm busy?
Start with something small: ten quiet minutes without a phone, or one evening a week with no errands. Mark 6:31 records Jesus telling His busy disciples to come apart and rest a while.
What does the Bible say about rest?
Matthew 11:28 is Jesus' invitation to the weary. Exodus 20:8-10 sets aside the Sabbath, Psalm 23 speaks of being led beside still waters, and Mark 6:31 shows Jesus calling His disciples away to rest.
Do Christians have to keep the Sabbath?
Christian traditions differ on how the Sabbath applies today. Many agree on the principle behind it: regular rest is part of God's good design. Your own church can guide you on the details.