HOME MENTOR WITH ALITA SHOW/PODCAST BIBLE STUDY GIVE BLOG FILMS PRAYER REQUESTS GETTING STARTED BOOK ALITA WIMM CONTACT LOGIN

SEASON OF REST

What is a Season of Rest?

A season of rest in the Bible refers to a period of spiritual, physical, or emotional renewal, where God invites His people to step away from the busyness and stress of life to find refreshment, peace, and renewal in Him. It’s a time where God provides for His people to recover their strength and focus on Him, allowing them to deepen their relationship with Him, reflect on His goodness, and gain clarity and peace.

Key Biblical Insights on a Season of Rest:

  1. Rest as a Gift from God:

    • In the Bible, rest is a gift from God, not just the absence of work, but a time of restoration and peace. God designed rest for our well-being and to remind us that He is the source of our strength.
    • Genesis 2:2-3 – "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
      God Himself modeled rest after creating the world, showing that rest is essential and purposeful, not lazy or unnecessary.

  2. Rest for the Soul:

    • Jesus invites His followers to find rest in Him, offering peace for the soul amidst the burdens of life. This rest is not about physical sleep alone but a deeper, spiritual rest where we trust in God's provision and care.
    • Matthew 11:28-30 – “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.”
      Jesus offers rest that is deeper than physical rest—a rest that heals and nourishes the soul, a peace that comes from trusting in Him.

  3. Sabbath Rest as a Command:

    • The Sabbath, a day of rest, was instituted by God as a commandment to His people. It is a time dedicated to rest, worship, and reflection on God's goodness, allowing people to renew their spiritual and physical strength.
    • Exodus 20:8-10 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work...”
      God commanded His people to rest on the seventh day, not only to rejuvenate physically but also to focus on their relationship with Him.

  4. Rest as Trusting in God's Provision:

    • A season of rest also involves trusting God to provide for us, knowing that He is in control of all aspects of our lives. Rest requires surrendering our anxieties and striving to God, believing that He will meet our needs.
    • Psalm 127:2 – “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
      This verse shows that striving for success and control leads to anxiety and exhaustion, but God provides rest for His beloved ones, giving them the assurance that He will meet their needs.

  5. Rest for Healing and Renewal:

    • A season of rest can also be a time for physical and emotional healing. God sometimes calls us to step back, take a break, and allow ourselves the space to rest and recover from life’s challenges, stresses, and pains.
    • Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
      This passage encourages that in seasons of weariness, God offers renewal, lifting up those who trust in Him and enabling them to continue with strength and vigor.

  6. A Time for Reflection and Renewal of Purpose:

    • Rest is not just for physical rejuvenation but also a time for spiritual reflection and realignment of purpose. During a season of rest, believers can focus on God's Word, pray, and reconnect with His mission for their lives.
    • Psalm 23:1-3 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
      This passage emphasizes that God leads us into places of rest where we can be refreshed in our spirits and refocused on His will.

A season of rest is a divine invitation from God to step back from the busyness and stress of life to receive His peace, healing, and renewal. It is a time to trust in God’s provision, reflect on His goodness, and find strength in His presence. God’s heart is for His people to experience both physical and spiritual rest, drawing near to Him for healing, renewal, and restoration. This season enables us to trust in God's faithfulness, grow in our dependence on Him, and be refreshed in our souls.

God’s Heart on Having a Season of Rest

God’s heart on having a season of rest is rooted in His deep love and care for us. Rest is not just a break from physical activity, but a time for spiritual renewal, healing, and reflection. Throughout Scripture, God emphasizes the importance of rest, not just for physical well-being but for a deeper relationship with Him. Here are key insights into God’s heart on rest:

Rest is a Gift from God

God designed rest as a gift for His people, showing that rest is necessary for both physical and spiritual health. In the beginning, God created rest for humanity, even resting Himself after the work of creation. Rest is part of His divine design for life.

  • Genesis 2:2-3 – “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
    This is a reminder that rest is part of God's rhythm for life, and it is a sacred, intentional act that invites us to step back and trust in Him.

Rest Reflects Trust in God’s Provision

A season of rest requires trusting that God will provide for our needs. When we rest, we are acknowledging that God is the one who sustains us, and our productivity does not come from constant striving but from His grace and provision.

  • Psalm 127:2 – “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
    God’s heart is for us to rest in His provision, knowing that He will take care of us even when we step away from our work.

Rest Restores Our Souls

God offers us rest not only for our bodies but for our souls. When we are weary or burdened, He invites us to come to Him for renewal. This rest is found in surrendering our worries and anxieties to Him, and letting His peace restore us.

  • Matthew 11:28-30 – “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.”
    God desires for us to find peace in Him, knowing that He will renew our spirits and guide us through times of exhaustion.

Rest Allows Us to Reflect on God's Goodness

A season of rest is also a time for reflection. When we rest, we have the opportunity to pause, remember God's faithfulness, and reconnect with His purpose for our lives. It is a time to recharge spiritually and refocus on what truly matters.

  • Psalm 23:1-3 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
    God leads us to places of peace where we can pause, reflect, and experience the refreshment that comes from His presence.

Rest is a Command, Not an Option

Rest is so important that God commanded His people to take regular breaks from their labor. This command is not only for physical restoration but to keep their focus on Him and their relationship with Him. The Sabbath rest reminds us that we are not made for endless work, but for worship and communion with God.

  • Exodus 20:8-10 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.”
    By commanding a Sabbath, God sets aside time for His people to rest, worship, and trust in His provision. It is a time to honor God with our time, reminding us that our worth is not in what we accomplish but in who we are in Him.

Rest is an Invitation to Draw Near to God

During a season of rest, God invites us to draw closer to Him, to listen to His voice, and to cultivate a deeper intimacy with Him. Rest is not just about doing nothing; it’s about focusing on God’s presence and being replenished by Him.

  • Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
    God’s heart is to renew our strength, both physically and spiritually, during times of rest. This renewal comes when we place our trust in Him and rest in His strength.

A season of rest is part of God's divine design for our lives. He cares deeply for our well-being, and He invites us to rest in His provision, peace, and presence. God’s heart is that we would trust Him, find refreshment in Him, and be renewed so that we can continue to serve Him with strength and joy. Rest is not just a physical necessity, but a spiritual act of surrender and dependence on God, drawing us closer to Him and enabling us to live fully in His will.

THE ALITA REYNOLDS SHOW

Inspiring conversations that will encourage you to live the life you were created for.

Do you want to experience a deeper relationship with Jesus?  

Do you need some encouragement that your story has a purpose?

Join Alita Reynolds, the President of Women of Faith, as she and her featured guests inspire you to live the life you were created for and equip you to walk more fully in God’s purpose for your life.

Whatever your story, your life matters, you belong, and God wants you to live victoriously. You’ll meet a wide range of guests who impact the kingdom in meaningful ways every day. Their stories will inspire you to believe that when we walk by faith, ANYTHING is possible.

START WATCHING OR LISTENING NOW
NOTICE: The information contained in this resource is general in nature and is not intended to provide or be a substitute for advice, consultation or treatment with a duly licensed mental health practitioner or other medical professional. This resource is intended to provide practical faith-based guidelines for balanced living and is not a replacement for medical advice. Professional services should be pursued whenever necessary and/or appropriate. By utilizing this resource, individuals acknowledge that Women of Faith is not providing direct clinically-oriented mental health treatment or therapy, and that it does not create a therapeutic relationship between any individual and Women of Faith.  Individuals who use this resource also agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Women of Faith, its licensees, affiliates, and assigns, as well as the officers, agents, and employees of Women of Faith and its licensees, affiliates, and assigns, from and against any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, charges, legal fees, recoveries, judgments, penalties, and expenses, which may be obtained against, imposed upon or suffered by Women of Faith.Additionally, certain views and opinions expressed in this resource may be those from sources other than Women of Faithand do not necessarily represent the views of Women of Faith, nor imply an endorsement by Women of Faith. All rights are reserved worldwide and no part of this resource may be reproduced in any form (print or electronic) without the expressed written permission of Women of Faith.