Resting in Jesus

Mark 6:31 — “And Jesus said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.’”

Jesus and His disciples were constantly surrounded by people in need—teaching, healing, serving. The demands were unending. So when Jesus invited them to step away and rest, it wasn’t indulgent—it was necessary. Ministry, work—life itself—can be physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausting.

Physical “rest from it all” isn’t usually a problem for me. I have time to step away from work and from being around others. In fact, sometimes I’m alone too often. I live alone. I have plenty of downtime—recharge time. Sometimes even too much, and I have to be intentional about seeking connection with others.

But having time alone doesn’t always mean I am truly resting.

The place I most need to “come away and rest” is in my mind.

The stress of ongoing challenges in recent years has left me feeling tired and worn down. Many of these problems aren’t easily fixed, and some aren’t mine to solve at all. Still, they occupy my thoughts—spinning, pressing, lingering.

So I need to get away—not physically, but mentally.

Away from the constant thinking, solving, and ruminating.

Much of the stress centers around family relationships, but there are also financial concerns and work-related pressures. Unresolved situations. Lingering responsibilities. The kind of weight that quietly drains you over time.

And when I reach that place of mental fatigue, I recognize the invitation of Jesus: come away.

He welcomes me into a place of quiet and peace. The buzzing in my mind can settle. The endless loops of “what if” and “how do I fix this?” can finally slow down.

I’m reminded of His words in John 16:33:
“…in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Peace is found in Jesus.

Not in the absence of problems—but in the middle of them.

Jesus never promised a trouble-free life. In fact, He assured us the opposite. But He also promised something greater: His peace in the midst of it all.

So my rest is not found in escaping difficulty. It is found in shifting my mind—from striving to trusting, from spinning to surrendering.

Believe the words of Jesus.
Trust the peace He offers.
Listen for His voice—and receive what He freely gives.

Peace.
Rest.

Time in the presence of God is not just helpful—it’s essential. It is where my mind quiets, my heart steadies, and my spirit is renewed.

Rest becomes a priority.

Because I’m learning that rest is actually an act of faith. It’s choosing to believe that God is at work—even when I’m not. That He is capable of handling what I cannot. That I don’t have to carry everything.

Peace is found in prayer.

Philippians 4:6–7 says:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”