How the Jesus Challenge Satisfies the Ever-Elusive Rest You Crave 

We’re all desperate for rest. 

Those green pastures and quiet waters from Psalm 23 sound long overdue – but always out of reach. You tell yourself you’ll rest when the house is clean and when things slow down, but has that day ever come? 

According to our culture, being a good parent, spouse, or leader means staying on top of everything 100% of the time. So you run on empty, convinced that you can’t stop to rest – because the moment you do, something falls apart. 

And yet, there it is in Scripture – a beautiful promise of rest. Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” But honestly, this relentless cycle of busyness is NOT light and easy. 

I see you, friend. It feels like there’s no way to win, and by doing your best to be a good spouse and parent, you’re doomed never to enjoy God’s true rest. 😩

It doesn’t have to be this way. 

I want to introduce you to something that could be the long-awaited solution you’re craving – the Jesus Challenge. It’s not another task. It’s not a quick fix. 

My virtual Jesus Challenge is a simple, practical routine to tether yourself to God’s rest, tested and tried by thousands of busy Christians who were too busy to slow down. If they could find true rest for their souls amidst chaos, I know you can too. 🥳

How Does God Define “Rest?” 

Let’s be clear about this. God does NOT define rest as a hot bath, kicking your feet up on the couch, binge-watching TV, or finally getting a long nap. While physical rest is important, God's idea of rest goes much deeper than we usually realize. 

God's rest isn't a fleeting escape from reality. It's a state of abiding in dependence on Him – something He commands us to practice in Hebrews 4. 

“Command” sounds like a strong word, but there’s a reason for it. God understands the immense drain of our schedules, so He warns us to be watchful so we do NOT miss out on His rest. He knows we’ll only ever experience abundant life when we tap into God’s true rest. This command is given for our good! 

That bold line ☝️is now our working definition of God’s rest throughout the rest (except for that one 😆) of this blog. Just to keep us on the same page with God’s Word! 

What Does It Take To Access God’s Rest? 

Here’s the truth – but be warned.  ⚠️ It might be hard to swallow.  ⚠️

Entering into God’s rest begins with accepting that you are incapable of living a life that pleases God by yourself. It requires dependence on Him to bear fruit through you.  

Hebrews 3:19 spells it out in no uncertain terms, speaking of the Israelites: “So we see that they were not able to enter into his rest, because of their unwillingness to adhere to and Trust in and rely on God.” 

Bryan Coupland, the author of Come Rest With Me, says it this way: “Trusting in Him and the promises He left us in Scripture leads us into His rest. An unwillingness to place our dependence on God shuts us out of His rest.” 

Ouch. 🫣

Why Is It So Hard for Me to Rest? 

If you find it challenging or impossible to rest, it might be time to ask yourself, “How much do I **actually** trust God with the things going on in my life?” 

👉A lack of true rest is likely a sign that you might not trust God as much as you think. And you resort to trying to control everything – something none of us was made to do. 👈

Friend, you are going and going, trying your hardest, working yourself to the bone, spinning the hamster wheel. His rest is an invitation to stop striving and start living in the confidence that HE is in control and will NOT let you fall. He’s asking you to lay down the mountain of worries, anxiety, and stress you carry, trusting that He is capable of taking care of it all. 🤲

If you think that hot, relaxing bath will ease your mind, it will be over in 30 minutes, and so will the peace. 

But God’s rest isn’t short-lived. He invites us into lasting peace, stretching over our mindset, moods, decisions, behavior, and thoughts. 

Aren’t Christians Being Lazy if They Rest? 

I’m so glad we can talk about this. 

Our culture – especially in Christian circles – wears busyness and exhaustion as a badge of honor. We consistently respond to, “How are you?” with “Busy. “Tired.” “Stressed.” And if we aren’t busy, tired, or stressed, we feel a little guilty about it. 

Yikes. 😳

Let’s hold that up against Scripture and see what God says. And remember, God doesn’t define rest as a massage or a face mask. It’s a state of abiding in dependence on Him and releasing control. 

As you read the Scripture below, recognize God speaking to you. Let those worries and troubles roll off you into His capable hands. Trust. 🤲 Rest. 

• 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.”
  
  
• 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, and He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.”
  
  
• Exodus 33:14
  “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
  
  
• Psalm 62:1-2
  “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
  
  
• Isaiah 30:15
  “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’”
  
  
• Hebrews 4:9-10
  “There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.”
  
  
• Psalm 46:10
  “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
  
  
• Mark 6:31
  “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
  
  
• Jeremiah 6:16
  “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’”
  
  
• Philippians 4:6-7
  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
  
  
• Psalm 127:1-2
  “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves.”
  
  
• Deuteronomy 33:12
  “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”
  
  

In every one of these verses, God encourages you to rest. There’s no accusation of laziness. He actively promises you He will take care of you so you can rest. 🥹

Rest is good. 

Rest is from God. 

Rest brings you closer TO God. 

Rest is a practice of releasing our death grip on control and letting Him lead us.  

Over and over again, Scripture reflects God’s desire for you to abide in Him, lean back in His loving arms, and experience the true freedom of trusting Him. There is NO guilt or shame in trusting the Lord. 

How Can I Rest When I’m Super Busy? 

Let’s get practical. What does it look like to rest in the Lord – abiding in dependence on Him – when life is crazy? 

This is where the Jesus Challenge comes in. It’s a simple, tangible solution to help you practice true rest during your full life. 🙌

Here’s how it works. When you sign up for my virtual Jesus challenge, you commit to: 

• Walking or running 1 mile a day for 40 days. 
• Reading a pre-assigned portion of Scripture while you walk or run. 
• Optionally participating in daily challenges to help apply what you’ve read to real life. 
• Joining a private community of like-minded people who encourage and cheer you on. 

My virtual Jesus challenge mirrors God’s rest by helping you take your eyes off the pressures of this world and focusing on Him. It’s an approach that helps you experience true rest for your soul – not just in moments of calm, but in everyday life. ⚓

3 Ways the Jesus Challenge Helps You Rest 

1. Carving out daily time in God’s presence 

As I mentioned before, in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us to come to Him when we’re weary, and He promises to give us rest. But how often do we actually take Him up on that offer? 🤔

My 40-day Scripture challenge protects intentional time each day with God—focusing on prayer, Scripture, and reflection. This consistent connection with Him helps you experience the peace and renewal He offers, just as Mary found rest sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha was busy with tasks (Luke 10:38-42). 

2. Growing in your ability to trust God 

True rest requires trust—trusting that God is in control, that He’s working in your life even when you don’t see it, and that His provision is enough. As you spend time in Scripture with my virtual Jesus challenge, He reminds you of His promises, like those in Psalm 62:1, which says, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes only from Him." 

This intentional time gives you a chance to release your worries and anxieties into His hands, depending on Him for strength and peace. The more you practice trusting God, the more your heart rests, knowing you don’t have to (and can’t) carry everything on your own. 🤲

3. Learning to BE instead of DO

God’s rest isn’t something you do—it’s a state of being. My 40-day Scripture challenge helps shift your focus from the need to accomplish to simply resting in God’s presence. 

By incorporating daily stillness through prayer and reading, the virtual Jesus challenge quiets your heart and mind, making space to just be with God. It helps you release control and trust that God will take care of everything you’re juggling. 😮‍💨

How God’s Rest Changes Your Life 

What if you’re too busy to rest? Maybe this sounds like a lot of work, and you just don’t have time to rest. 

If that’s the case, friend, then my Jesus Challenge is for you more than anyone! 😅

Here are some real-life changes you’ll see in yourself once you start abiding daily in God’s presence and trusting Him with your life: 

1. True joy. 🤗 No more faking laughter or happiness. The Lord’s provision and presence will make you giddy with true joy because there is nothing that can harm you. You can’t fail!
   
   
2. Confidence. Every “yes” or “no” is no longer dependent on your mental analysis – it’s determined by the Holy Spirit. And there’s no safer place than in the center of His will. 😌
   
   
3. Energy. When you’re not strung out trying to manage and control every detail, the unimportant things will fall away. And no, that’s not a bad thing! You get back the time and energy you used to waste on things that didn’t matter. 🥳
   
   
4. Purpose. When God is leading your life, no moment is wasted. Every book you read to the kids, every meal you cook, every interaction you have, every person you run into is completely on purpose. 😃 And you finally get to recognize that.
   
   
5. Peace. Instead of having to finish your to-do list before you rest, now you can rest THROUGHOUT the day, walking hand-in-hand with God as He leads your steps. 👣
   
   
6. Intimate friendship with God. 💞True rest means you’re leaning into God’s character, trusting Him with every detail of your life. You’ll never be more satisfied, fulfilled, and content than when you’re deeply tethered to God’s own heart, trusting Him for every moment. 

I desperately long for you to experience God’s rest and enjoy this abundance. 🥺This is true life in Christ! Please don’t pass it by because you’re afraid you won’t have time. You’re missing out on God’s riches, given freely to His children. 

God’s Rest Is Not Out of Reach for You

If rest feels elusive and unattainable, I want to encourage you that’s simply not true. God’s true rest – the kind that refreshes your soul more than any self-care trend – is available to you today.

And the Jesus Challenge offers a clear, practical path to get you there. 

By committing to this simple daily routine of walking and reading Scripture, you make space for God to usher you into His rest. Not only for the duration of 1 mile but for the fullness of your life. His rest is an invitation to release your anxieties and worries to Him, trusting that He is enough for you. He will satisfy your every need and fill your spirit to overflowing. 🌱

So if you’re ready to finally let go of the constant striving and embrace the true rest only God can give, I encourage you not to wait. Sign up for my 40-day Scripture challenge today. I’m confident you’ll finally get to soak in the deep rest for which you long, and I can’t wait for you to taste it! 😍

Join Here: I Want To Experience God’s True Rest