Finding True Rest: Trusting God Amidst Life's Demands

Summary

Rest is more than just sleep; it is a deep trust and confidence, a ceasing from striving, and a surrendering of our burdens to God. While sleep is a physical state where the body and mind shut down, rest is a spiritual and emotional posture that allows us to recover, rejuvenate, and find peace even in the midst of life’s challenges. Many of us struggle to rest because of perfectionist tendencies, critical mindsets, or the belief that rest is wasted time. These patterns are often learned from our upbringing, but they can be unlearned and replaced with healthier rhythms.

Stress is a major barrier to true rest. It triggers a cascade of physical and mental responses in our bodies, often leading to health problems and restless nights. Even positive changes, like a job promotion or marriage, can be stressors that disrupt our peace. Our brains process the events and worries of the day during sleep, so if we spend our days in anxiety and overthinking, our nights will be restless as well. It is vital to cultivate family and personal habits that prioritize rest, such as setting boundaries with devices and intentionally making time for relaxation.

God has given us a pattern for rest, both in creation and through the example of Jesus. Sabbath rest is not optional; it is a gift and a necessity for our well-being. We must resist the pressure to conform to the world’s relentless pace and expectations, and instead, embrace a life that values balance, gratitude, and trust in God’s provision. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps us to trust Him with our present and future, reducing our stress and anxiety.

We are not alone in our struggles. God sees us, knows our burdens, and invites us to bring them to Him. He promises rest for our souls when we come to Him, and He carries our load alongside us. We are also surrounded by a family—both biological and spiritual—who can support us if we are willing to reach out. Ultimately, true rest comes from surrendering our worries to God, trusting in His care, and leaving our burdens at His feet.

Key Takeaways

- Rest is a spiritual discipline that goes beyond physical sleep. It involves ceasing from striving, placing our trust in God, and allowing ourselves to recover from the demands of life. True rest is hindered by perfectionism, critical mindsets, and the belief that rest is unproductive, but these patterns can be changed as we renew our minds and embrace God’s invitation to rest. [50:01]

- Stress is often the root of many physical and mental health issues, and it can be triggered by both negative and positive life events. The body’s stress response, if left unchecked, leads to a cycle of tension, overthinking, and restless sleep. Recognizing and addressing our stressors, and intentionally building rhythms of rest, is essential for holistic health. [54:33]

- The world’s standards and expectations can pressure us into a lifestyle of constant striving and comparison, robbing us of rest and contentment. As followers of Christ, we are called to resist being molded by the world and instead live according to God’s values—prioritizing rest, gratitude, and trust over achievement and worry. [01:14:20]

- God’s promise is that He sees us and carries our burdens with us. Like a parent helping a child carry a heavy load, God invites us to yoke ourselves to Him, trusting that He will bear the weight of our challenges. Remembering His faithfulness in the past strengthens our trust for the present and future, allowing us to rest in His care. [01:22:43]

- True rest requires surrender—bringing our anxieties, hurts, and concerns to God and leaving them with Him. This act of trust is not passive but intentional, and it is supported by practices like gratitude, helping others, and seeking support from our community. When we leave our burdens at Jesus’ feet, we experience the peace and restoration He promises. [01:40:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[50:01] - Understanding Rest vs. Sleep
[50:58] - Personality Types and Barriers to Rest
[52:08] - The Impact of Stress on Rest
[54:33] - The Body’s Stress Response
[57:35] - How Stress Disrupts Sleep
[59:48] - Positive Stressors and Life Changes
[01:01:45] - The Brain’s Role in Restless Sleep
[01:04:55] - Building Healthy Family Rhythms
[01:07:26] - Stress and Physical Health
[01:14:20] - Resisting the World’s Mold
[01:16:38] - Trusting God with Our Past and Future
[01:18:14] - The Power of Gratitude and Community
[01:21:08] - God Sees You
[01:22:43] - Yoked with Christ: Sharing the Load
[01:24:25] - Trusting God in Every Situation
[01:25:19] - Testimony of God’s Faithfulness
[01:33:21] - Practical Steps for Rest and Stress Relief
[01:39:27] - Prayer and Surrendering Our Burdens
[01:42:53] - Leaving It at Jesus’ Feet

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Rest for Our Souls”

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### Bible Reading

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
> “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, who is invited to come to Him, and what does He promise to give them?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the main differences described between sleep and true rest? [[50:01]]
3. What are some personality traits or mindsets mentioned in the sermon that can make it hard for people to rest? [[50:58]]
4. What example does the sermon give to explain what it means to be “yoked” with Christ? [[01:22:43]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a “yoke” when talking about rest? What does this teach us about how we are meant to carry our burdens? [[01:22:43]]
2. The sermon says that rest is more than just sleep—it’s a spiritual and emotional posture. What does it mean to “cease from striving” and trust God with our burdens? [[50:01]]
3. How can remembering God’s faithfulness in the past help us trust Him with our present and future worries? [[01:16:38]]
4. The sermon mentions that both negative and positive life changes can be stressors. Why is it important to recognize this, and how might it affect the way we approach rest? [[59:48]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon talks about perfectionism and critical mindsets as barriers to rest. Are there any perfectionist or critical habits in your own life that keep you from truly resting? What is one step you could take this week to let go of these habits? [[50:58]]
2. Think about your daily or weekly routine. Are there any boundaries you need to set (for example, with devices or work) to make space for real rest? What would it look like to put these boundaries in place? [[01:04:55]]
3. Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to Him and promises rest for our souls. Is there a specific worry or burden you are carrying right now that you need to surrender to God? What would it look like to “leave it at Jesus’ feet” and not pick it back up? [[01:40:11]]
4. The sermon encourages us to resist the world’s pressure to always be busy and productive. In what ways do you feel pressured by the world’s standards, and how can you intentionally choose God’s rhythm of rest instead? [[01:14:20]]
5. The message highlights the importance of community and not carrying our struggles alone. Is there someone in your church family or small group you could reach out to for support, or someone you could support this week? [[01:19:05]]
6. Practicing gratitude and helping others are mentioned as ways to reduce stress and experience God’s peace. What is one practical way you can show gratitude or bless someone else this week? [[01:18:14]]
7. The sermon ends with a call to surrender our anxieties to God in prayer. Would you be willing to share a specific area where you need prayer for rest and peace? How can the group support you in this? [[01:39:27]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to quietly name their burdens and, as a group, pray for the strength to leave them at Jesus’ feet and trust Him for true rest.

Devotional

Day 1: True Rest Is Found in Trusting God

Rest is more than just sleep; it is a deep trust and confidence placed in God, allowing us to cease striving and let go of the burdens that keep our minds and bodies tense. Many of us struggle to rest because we are perfectionists, critical, or feel guilty for taking time to relax, but God invites us to a different way—a way where we can lay down our anxieties and find true refreshment in Him. When we learn to rest in God, we acknowledge that He is in control, and we can let go of the need to manage everything ourselves. [50:01]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: What is one burden or worry you are carrying today that you can intentionally hand over to Jesus, trusting Him to carry it with you?


Day 2: God Sees You and Knows Your Struggles

No matter what you are facing—family problems, financial stress, loneliness, or emotional pain—God sees you. He is not distant or unaware; He promises to be with you in every circumstance, carrying your burdens and walking with you through every trial. Even when you feel alone or misunderstood, remember that God’s everlasting arms are underneath you, supporting you, and He will never let you go through your struggles alone. [01:21:08]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that God sees you and is with you right now?


Day 3: Intentional Rest Is God’s Design

Rest is not a luxury or a sign of weakness; it is part of God’s intentional design for our lives. From the very beginning, God modeled rest by setting aside the seventh day, and Jesus Himself encouraged His disciples to step away and rest. Building rhythms of rest into our schedules is not selfish—it is necessary for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. When we honor God’s pattern of work and rest, we allow our bodies and minds to heal and be renewed. [01:07:26]

Genesis 2:2-3 (ESV)
“And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to rest and be refreshed, following God’s example?


Day 4: Gratitude and Helping Others Reduce Stress

Living a life of gratitude and blessing others is not only pleasing to God but also brings healing and joy to our own hearts. When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, and when we reach out to help others, our brains release “feel-good” hormones that lift our spirits and reduce stress. Practicing gratitude and generosity shifts our perspective from worry to worship, and from anxiety to peace. [01:18:14]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can bless or help today, and what is one thing you can thank God for right now?


Day 5: Don’t Let the World Shape Your Priorities

As followers of Christ, we are called to resist the pressure to conform to the world’s standards of success, achievement, and busyness. Instead, we are invited to live according to God’s values, finding our identity and worth in Him rather than in possessions, accomplishments, or the approval of others. When we let go of comparison and striving, we make space for God’s peace and rest to fill our lives. [01:16:38]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed the world’s expectations to shape your life, and how can you realign your priorities with God’s will this week?

Quotes

Don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold, and that has stuck with me, meaning I should not let the world dictate how I operate. And every Christian, we are now part of a different culture. We belong to a different family, and we ought not to try to let the world decide for us how we live, what we look like, and how we behave. [01:15:05] (00:00:36 seconds) Edit Clip

A lot of us have worried for 20 years, 10 years, 30 years, 5 years, and we're worrying for so long. But we live through it, and we're still standing, but we're still worrying. We don't remember the things we went through when we thought we were going to die, when we thought we were going to lose the home, when we thought we were going to be fired, when we thought all these things were going to happen. But we made it, God took us through. And we have to remember that, and know that he will take us through again. That tends to reduce our stress. [01:17:36] (00:00:47 seconds) Edit Clip

Gratitude and helping others, blessing others, helps to produce the feel -good hormones in the brain. Every time you do something good for someone, the brain produces dopamine, oxytocin, that makes you feel good. So that if you find that you're feeling down all the time, bless somebody else. Come help somebody. It helps to reduce stress. [01:18:31] (00:00:33 seconds) Edit Clip

We have family. We are not alone. Satan makes us want to feel that we are alone. But you're not alone. Apart from your biological family, you have a church family. And part of the challenge is, is that we all, okay, we grew up, let me talk about me. I grew up hearing, don't let people know your business. When you go, if you have salt, suck salt. So whatever you have, make use of it. You don't have to let anybody know your business. And it's a Caribbean thing that we keep our business private until it gets so bad that everybody knows about it. But I'm saying to us, as a family of... God. You have a family and you have resources. What you need to do is talk about it. And you talk about it to the right person. Right? Talk about it to the right person. Help is available. And apart from that, we have God. Once you're part of God's family. [01:19:40] (00:01:18 seconds) Edit Clip

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. [01:21:49] (00:00:26 seconds) Edit Clip

When the boss tells you you are fired, at that time, know that God is there with you. When the bill comes and you don't have the money, know that God sees you. When your parents turn their back on you, know that God sees you. When your children turn against you and ignore you, know that God sees you. When you don't know how you're gonna pay the bill or how you're gonna feed the children, God sees you. When your spouse turns against you, God sees you. When you feel like you're doing life alone, God sees you. You have to trust him. [01:24:03] (00:00:57 seconds) Edit Clip