Finding True Rest and Peace in God’s Presence

Life today is busier than ever, and many of us wear our stress and busyness like a badge of honor. But this constant rush is not what God intended for us. God created us simple, and His love for us is simple. We are the ones who complicate our lives, often by disobeying His simple law: to love Him and to love others. When we overcomplicate things, we find ourselves burdened, stressed, and even burnt out. Yet, God’s patience and love remain, always ready to rescue and bless us, no matter how tangled our lives become.

The real solution to our stress is not better time management or multitasking. True rest is found in relationship—first with God, then with ourselves, and then with others. Jesus’ invitation in Mark 6:31 is clear: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” He doesn’t just send us off to rest; He calls us to rest with Him. The journey is not about the destination, but about who we are with. Real rest comes from right relationships, and the most important relationship is with Jesus.

But it doesn’t stop there. We must also have a right relationship with ourselves. If we don’t like or love ourselves, no amount of external comfort will bring us peace. We are our own constant companion, and we must learn to speak to ourselves with the same love and acceptance that God offers us. The world is noisy, but often the loudest noise is the voice of fear within us—fear of the unknown, of not having enough, of not being enough. This fear is the root of much of our exhaustion and restlessness.

The only antidote to fear is perfect love. 1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” When we listen to the voice of Jesus, who tells us we are loved, accepted, and celebrated, the noise of fear begins to fade. Even in seasons of overwhelming responsibility, loss, or failure, we can find peace and rest by coming to Jesus, trusting in His love, and following His voice. Life will always have its burdens, but with Jesus, our yoke becomes light, and our hearts find true rest.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Simplicity is God’s design for us God created us to live simply, but we often complicate our lives by straying from His simple law of love. When we return to simplicity—loving God and others—we align ourselves with His will and experience greater peace. Complexity often arises from our own choices, not from God’s plan. [05:28]
• 2. True rest is found in relationship, not routine No amount of time management or multitasking can bring the deep rest our souls crave. Jesus invites us to rest with Him, emphasizing that who we are with matters more than where we are or what we are doing. Real rest is rooted in a living relationship with God, not in external circumstances. [16:56]
• 3. Love yourself as God loves you We are our own constant companions, and our internal dialogue shapes our experience of life. If we do not love and accept ourselves as God does, we will remain restless and dissatisfied, no matter our surroundings. Speaking God’s truth over ourselves is essential for inner peace. [27:41]
• 4. Perfect love drives out fear Fear is the root of much of our stress, worry, and exhaustion. The only true antidote is the perfect love of God, which silences the voices of fear and brings deep rest to our hearts. Trusting in God’s love allows us to face life’s uncertainties with courage and peace. [32:22]
• 5. Jesus makes our burdens light Life will always have its challenges and responsibilities, but Jesus promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When we walk with Him, even the busiest seasons can be filled with peace, joy, and hope. The secret is not to escape busyness, but to find rest in Christ amidst it. [41:08]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:07] - Opening Prayer and Blessing
• [01:51] - Greeting First-Timers and Online Viewers
• [03:11] - Problems Never End, But God’s Love Is Greater
• [03:53] - Declaration of Faith
• [04:37] - God Made Us Simple
• [06:09] - The Beauty of Simplicity
• [07:33] - Complicating Life by Disobeying God
• [10:15] - Follow His Voice
• [12:08] - Stress as an Addiction
• [16:10] - Jesus’ Solution to Stress
• [18:24] - Resting in God’s Love
• [22:15] - Companionship Over Destination
• [24:22] - Real Rest Requires Right Relationships
• [27:41] - Loving Yourself as God Loves You
• [28:58] - The Noisy World and the Voice of Fear
• [32:22] - Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
• [34:24] - Personal Story of Burnout and Restoration
• [41:08] - Jesus Makes Our Burdens Light
• [44:33] - Prayer of Surrender
• [48:27] - God Wants to Bless Your Life
• [49:57] - The Power of Partnership in Ministry

1. In Mark 6:31, what was happening that made Jesus invite the disciples to a quiet place? What does this tell us about their situation?
2. According to Ecclesiastes 7:29, how did God originally make us, and what have we done since then?
3. The sermon says, “God’s love for us is simple. We are the ones who complicate our lives, often by disobeying His simple law: to love Him and to love others.” What are some ways mentioned in the sermon that we complicate our lives? [[07:33]]
4. What does 1 John 4:18 say is the only thing that can drive out fear? How does the sermon connect this to our experience of stress and restlessness? [[32:22]]

1. Why do you think Jesus didn’t just send the disciples off to rest by themselves, but instead invited them to rest with Him? What does this say about the kind of rest He offers? [[16:56]]
2. The sermon says, “Real rest requires right relationships.” Why is it not enough to just have a break or a vacation? How do relationships, especially with God, change the kind of rest we experience? [[24:22]]
3. The preacher talks about the “voice of fear” being the loudest noise in our hearts. How does fear show up in our daily lives, and why is perfect love the only antidote? [[28:58]]
4. The message says, “If we do not love and accept ourselves as God does, we will remain restless and dissatisfied, no matter our surroundings.” Why is our relationship with ourselves so important for finding peace? [[27:41]]

1. The sermon challenges us to “keep it simple” and return to God’s simple law of love. What is one area of your life that feels overly complicated right now? What would it look like to simplify it by focusing on loving God and others? [[08:52]]
2. Jesus invites us to rest with Him, not just to rest. How can you make space in your week to be with Jesus, not just to take a break? Is there a practical step you can take to accept His invitation? [[16:56]]
3. The preacher says, “You are your own constant companion.” What is your self-talk like? Are there negative things you say to yourself that you need to replace with God’s truth? What is one loving thing you can say to yourself this week? [[27:41]]
4. Fear often drives our busyness and stress. What is one fear that keeps you restless or anxious? How can you bring that fear to God and let His perfect love speak to it? [[32:22]]
5. The message says, “Life will always have its challenges and responsibilities, but Jesus promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.” What is one burden you are carrying right now? How can you invite Jesus to carry it with you? [[41:08]]
6. The preacher shared about a season of burnout and how listening to Jesus’ voice brought him back to peace. Have you ever experienced burnout or deep exhaustion? What helped you recover, or what do you wish you had done differently? [[35:48]]
7. The world is noisy, but Jesus calls us to a quiet place. What is one way you can “turn down the noise” in your life this week—whether it’s social media, news, or internal worries—to better hear God’s voice? [[28:58]]