22 Bible Verses About Rest (When You Feel Overwhelmed)

Are you feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or overextended?  Are you stressed out with serving, studying, or schooling?  I feel you.  When I’m flooded with work and woes, the worries and what-ifs start to pile up, and I get cranky. 

But I’ve found that prayer calms me right down, and that God’s word is a wonderful stress-reliever. When I go to God for help in the chaos, He renews my mind, rejuvenates my spirit, and puts my soul at rest.

Here are 15 of my favorite Bible verses about rest when feeling overwhelmed.

Bible verses about rest in Jesus

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29, King James Version)

Jesus spoke these words to encourage the people to leave the burden of religious works behind, since true soul rest is found in Him alone.

Matthew 11:28-29 has a special place in my heart because they were instrumental in bringing me to salvation.  God broke my self-sufficient, stubborn, sinful heart, and brought me to repentance and faith with these verses. 

Then, I bowed my knee to Jesus Christ as Lord, and surrendered my life to Him.  At that moment, the weight of a thousand worries, and the burden of sin was lifted off my shoulders.  Faith in Christ brought my tumultuous soul rest, and tremendous peace and joy.

Have you found rest for your weary soul in Jesus Christ? Or are you buried under the weight of sin?

Book About God’s Rest

The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul By Restoring the Sabbath

Believe the Gospel to find rest

Friend, Jesus loves you, and He wants you to have freedom and fulfillment.  His shed blood on the cross paid the penalty for all of your sins, and his glorious resurrection gives you access to God forever. When you repent of your sins and place your faith in Jesus Christ alone, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:13)

At salvation, you are a new creature in Christ (2Cor. 5:17), with a new heart, life, purpose, and eternal home in Heaven. It is a glorious gift from God (Eph. 2:8-9). You don’t have to work for it, be a good person, or say a rote prayer to earn favor with God or have a relationship with Him. Just come to Jesus and trade your sin for His salvation, and find rest in the Lord.

 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. (Psalm 116:7)

Sometimes we get so stirred up by circumstances beyond our control and lose our peace.  But God restores the serenity in our soul when we count our blessings and maintain a proper perspective.

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)

Jesus is the root of Jesse, and his rest is glorious indeed.  Run to Jesus, give Him your cares, and trust Him to work them all out.

Relax, God’s Got This

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exodus 33:14)

God spoke these words to Moses in answer to his question of who would go with him to lead the people into the promised land. 

The task seemed overwhelming, but with God’s presence going with them, Moses could relax.  This was after he had come down from Mt. Sinai with the two tablets of stone inscribed with the 10 Commandments. 

Moses then discovered the people worshiping a golden calf, broke the tablets in anger, and witnessed God’s wrath in sending a plague among the people for their rebellion.  He knew that the people were difficult and disobedient, and that he could not do what God called him to by himself.

Has God called you to something that seems way beyond your skill set or comfort zone? It’s intimidating, but trust that what God has called you to, He will get you through. The Lord is with you!

Have confidence that God is well able to do above and beyond what you could ask or even imagine. (Eph. 3:20) With that assurance of God’s presence and power there is peace.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (Psalm 37:7)

Comparison brings discontentment, discouragement, and depression, especially when we compare our Christian life with unbelievers who seem to prosper despite their wicked choices.  This verse reminds us to be still and wait upon the Lord to recompense all evil.

Rest is God’s idea

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.  And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.  (Genesis 2:2-3)

Rest originated with God.  The work of creation was finished, and it was good, so God rested.  He set the example for us to follow. We can rest in the Lord’s sovereignty, sufficiency, and supremacy, because He is on the throne and holds all things in His hand.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blesseed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11)

Missy Takano, in her article “Keeping the Sabbath: Is it Still Relevant to Christians Today?“, says “It is not a commandment we are bound to; it’s a promise we’re invited to. Sabbath rest is an invitation to practice for eternity. It’s where we regularly, intentionally engage in God’s rule and reign in our hearts and on earth.”

Is Sabbath rest a part of your regular routine?  If not, why not?

Faith brings rest

Hebrews 3:17-4:11 is a passage of scripture that explains the connection between faith and rest, by reminding readers of the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. There was a generation of them who tempted God and provoked him to wrath by their unbelief. They didn’t trust Him to provide for their needs. The writer of Hebrews makes it a point to encourage us to have faith and rest in the Lord, and to avoid hard-heartedness and rebellion.

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:9-11)

Rest is ours when we have faith, honor the Sabbath, renew our minds, and yoke up with Jesus. If you find yourself anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed out by the chaos of life, then pray, and spend some time in the Bible. 

Look up these verses and read the context to get God’s mind on the importance of rest.  It’s a gift we often squander or sacrifice on the altar of busyness because we’re too driven by productivity and comparison.

A breakneck pace is no way to live.  Our purpose in life is to bring God the glory he deserves, but how can we if we are overcome by our schedule and stressful situations?  Rest is a necessity, and we must take whatever means necessary, to incorporate it, for our physical and spiritual health.

Other great Bible verses about rest:

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” (Psalm 23:1-2)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2)

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up. (Jeremiah 18:15)

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. (Psalm 31:5)

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. (Matthew 14:15)

Related Articles:

• A Prayer For the Restless Mind [And 3 Ways To Tackle it With God]
• 7 Energy Restoring Bible Verses About Not Giving Up

Final Thoughts

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of seeking true rest. There are many Bible verses about rest, but it comes from knowing God and being saved to be able to rest in His love. We find perfect peace through an everlasting God. We have a God of hope, and an amazing place to find that is in God’s rest. 

Even if we know that we have unfailing love from our sovereign Lord, are we pausing to recognize the gift of God? Rest, whether physical rest, mental rest, or especially both, should be a way of life. This is more than simply a good night’s rest. It is pausing and reflecting as He has instructed us so there can be a renewing of your mind.

May His mighty hand come gently to you to provide you the rest that you need! Which of the Bible verses about rest spoke to you the most? Let us know below!