Week Two: ✝️ Finding Rest in Him
Scripture of the Week
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
— Matthew 11:28
Introduction
How often do you feel worn out, stretched too thin, or like you’re running on empty? Between family, work, responsibilities, and the constant noise of our world, it’s easy to ignore rest and push ourselves beyond healthy limits. Yet in Matthew 11:28, Jesus gives us a clear invitation: to come to Him, lay down our burdens, and receive rest.
Rest is not laziness. Rest is trust. When we pause, we acknowledge that God is in control — not us. Rest allows us to recharge, to find clarity, and to better serve the roles He’s called us to.
Faith Reflection
From the very beginning of creation, God modeled rest. After six days of work, He rested on the seventh (Genesis 2:2–3). If the Creator of the universe made space for rest, how much more should we?
Our culture often glorifies busyness, but constant striving can rob us of peace and health. Spiritually, rest keeps us rooted in God’s presence. Physically, it restores our energy, helps our bodies heal, and allows us to function at our best.
When we neglect rest, we often see it in our bodies: fatigue, irritability, weakened immunity, poor focus, even weight fluctuations. Rest, on the other hand, renews our strength and reminds us that God is our provider.
Health Highlight: Why Rest Matters for Your Body
Quality rest is more than just “sleeping in.” It is intentional restoration that impacts nearly every system of our body:
🧠 Mental Clarity – Sleep improves memory, focus, and decision-making.
💕 Hormone Balance – Adequate rest regulates hormones like cortisol, insulin, and leptin, all key for mood and metabolism.
🩺 Healing & Recovery – Our bodies repair tissue, strengthen immunity, and replenish energy during rest.
🙏 Spiritual Health – Quiet moments away from screens, work, and distractions allow us to connect with God more deeply.
Think of rest as both nightly sleep and intentional Sabbath — a time set apart to pause from striving and realign with God.
Action Step for the Week
This week, I challenge you to intentionally choose rest in two simple ways:
Prioritize Sleep – Aim for 7–8 hours each night. Create a bedtime routine that helps you wind down (dim lights, put away the phone, maybe end with prayer or Scripture).
Set Aside Sabbath Time – Choose one evening or one afternoon to rest without work, emails, or endless scrolling. Use that time to pray, read, or simply enjoy being with your family and with God.
Closing Prayer
“Lord, thank You for offering rest to our weary souls. Help us to release the burdens we carry and trust that You are in control. Teach us to embrace rest not as weakness, but as obedience and renewal. Restore our minds, bodies, and spirits so that we may serve You with joy and strength. Amen.”
Final Encouragement
Friend, rest is holy. You are not meant to run on empty. By slowing down, sleeping well, and giving God your undivided attention, you’ll find both your spirit and your health renewed.
✨ This week, choose rest. Trust that God will multiply your energy when you place your burdens in His hands."Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
— 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
