7 TYPES OF REST

  • SPIRITUAL REST: Simply Being With Jesus

    REMEMBER: A SELAH moment is a pause and time of reflection.  It provides an interruption to  the noise. It gives us space to stop rushing, turn our attention toward God, and consider what He is saying.

    Today’s Scripture — Matthew 11:28–29

    Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

    Spiritual rest begins with the invitation to come. Jesus does not ask us to impress Him, perform for Him, or find the perfect words. He invites us into His presence just as we are.

    The irony about resting is Jesus’s presence, is that RELIGION make us believe we must work for the privilege of His presence.  When, in reality, God’s desire to be in RELATIONSHIP with us is enough. 

    This week is not about accomplishing more for Jesus. It is about cultivating the practice of being with Jesus. Before we address our schedules, thoughts, emotions, or physical weariness, we begin by resting in the One who gives rest to our souls.

    Now…Selah!

    CHOOSE ONE WAY TO REST SPIRITUALLY TODAY:

    • Sit quietly with Jesus for five minutes. You do not need to read, write, or accomplish anything. Simply breathe slowly and remember that He is with you.

    • Listen to the song “Make Room.” Set everything else aside and allow the song to become your SELAH moment with God.


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  • MENTAL REST: Creating Space in Your Mind

    REMEMBER: A SELAH moment is a pause and time of reflection.  It provides an interruption to  the noise. It gives us space to stop rushing, turn our attention toward God, and consider what He is saying.

    Today’s Scripture — Isaiah 26:3

    You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!


    Our minds can remain busy even when our bodies are still. Tasks, decisions, conversations, and unfinished concerns compete for our attention. We may also fill every available pause with news, email, social media, or entertainment.

    Mental rest does not require us to stop thinking. It creates space so our thoughts can settle and return to God. We organize what we can, release what we cannot control, and remember that everything does not have to be resolved today.

    Now…Selah!

    CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THESE WAYS TO REST MENTALLY TODAY.

    • Create a digital or physical task list to prioritize things competing for your mental energy. This will give you peace as you see things put in an orderly way to accomplish them.

    • Take a ten-minute break without news, email, social media, or doom-scrolling. Sit somewhere quiet, breathe, and let your brain rest.

    • Put your devices away one hour before bed. Avoid using that hour for work or a mentally demanding conversation. Allow yourself time to decompress.

    When distracting thoughts return, pray:

    PRAYER: “Lord, I release what I cannot resolve right now. Help me fix my thoughts on You and receive Your perfect peace.


  • EMOTIONAL REST: Naming What You Feel

    REMEMBER: A SELAH moment is a pause and time of reflection.  It provides an interruption to  the noise. It gives us space to stop rushing, turn our attention toward God, and consider what He is saying.

    Today’s Scripture — Psalm 62:8

    O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude

    When we are emotionally exhausted, we are more likely to react sharply, misread someone’s intentions, or say something we later regret. Our strongest reactions may be a flood of emotions that have gone unnamed and unattended.

    Emotional rest begins with honesty. God is not intimidated by our anger, grief, disappointment, fear, or frustration. We do not have to suppress our emotions or allow them to control us. We can bring them into the presence of the God who is our refuge.

    CHOOSE ONE WAY TO REST EMOTIONALLY TODAY:

    • Pause and complete this sentence: “I feel _____ because _____.” Name the emotion without criticizing yourself or trying to fix it immediately.

    • If you feel emotionally charged, step away from the situation and PAUSE before you respond.  

    • Share what you are feeling with a trusted, spiritually mature person who can listen and pray with you.

    “God, You are my refuge. Help me experience this emotion without being ruled by it. Guard my heart, guide my words, and give me peace.”

  • PHYSICAL REST: Honoring Your Limits

    REMEMBER: A SELAH moment is a pause and time of reflection.  It provides an interruption to  the noise. It gives us space to stop rushing, turn our attention toward God, and consider what He is saying.


    Our bodies often reveal what we have been trying to ignore. Weariness may appear through tension, irritability, sleeplessness, or a lack of energy. Our bodies have limits, and respecting those limits is not laziness or spiritual weakness.

    Jesus recognized that His disciples needed to step away and rest. Physical rest is part of caring wisely for the life God has given us. Sometimes the most faithful choice is simply to stop, sleep, breathe, or move gently.

    Today’s Scripture — Mark 6:31

    Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

    Now…Selah!

    CHOOSE ONE WAY TO REST PHYSICALLY TODAY:

    • Go to bed thirty minutes earlier. Dim the lights and put your phone away so your body has time to settle.

    • Take a short, leisurely walk. Do not track your speed or distance; this walk is for restoration, not achievement. As you walk, look for reminders of God’s goodness and provision. Thank Him for what you notice—a tree, the sunlight, a breeze, a neighbor, or simply the breath in your lungs.

    • Sit or lie down for ten quiet minutes. Release the tension in your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and breathe slowly.

    Prayer: “Lord, thank You for the body You have given me. Help me care for it, respect its limits, and receive rest without guilt.”

  • SENSORY REST: Turning Down the Noise

    REMEMBER: A SELAH moment is a pause and time of reflection.  It provides an interruption to  the noise. It gives us space to stop rushing, turn our attention toward God, and consider what He is saying.

    Our senses are in constant use—notifications, text messages, email, social media, television, the constant cycle of news. They all compete for our attention. 

    Sensory rest quiets the volume around us long enough for our minds and bodies to settle. Rest may not appear on its own. Therefore, at times we must intentionally create it. Being still, removes the distractions so we can connect with the Lord on a deeper level.

    Today’s Scripture — Psalm 46:10

    “Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

    Now…Selah!

    Choose One Way to Rest Your Senses Today:

    • Sit for 10-15 minutes in a quiet (or longer if you can make the time). Dim the lights, close your eyes, and let your senses rest.  You may “doze off,” so be sure to set an alarm!

    • Choose to limit your intake of news, videos, email and social media throughout the day.

    Prayer: “Lord, quiet the noise around me and within me. Help me be still and remember that You are God.”

  • SOCIAL REST: Disconnecting

    REMEMBER: A SELAH moment is a pause and time of reflection.  It provides an interruption to  the noise. It gives us space to stop rushing, turn our attention toward God, and consider what He is saying.

    Social rest does not always mean being alone. An unhurried meal with a trusted friend may restore us, while an obligatory engagement may leave us depleted. The question is not simply whether we need people or solitude. The question is, “What kind of connection does my soul need right now?”

    Physical and emotional exhaustion can also reduce our social capacity. Sometimes we need a life-giving conversation. At other times, the wisest choice is to decline an invitation and rest.

    Today’s Scripture — Proverbs 17:17

    A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

    Now…Selah!

    CHOOSE ONE WAY TO REST SOCIALLY TODAY:

    • Spend unhurried time with someone who allows you to be yourself without performing.

    • Graciously decline or reschedule one optional engagement if you do not have the capacity for it.

    • Step away from social media and use that time to pray, rest alone, or connect personally with someone you trust.

    Prayer: “Lord, give me wisdom in my relationships. Lead me toward life-giving connection and help me establish healthy, loving boundaries.”

  • CREATIVE REST: Disconnecting

    REMEMBER: A SELAH moment is a pause and time of reflection.  It provides an interruption to  the noise. It gives us space to stop rushing, turn our attention toward God, and consider what He is saying.

    Creative exhaustion can one feel like they’ve lost their edge or relevance. Ideas that once came naturally may feel forced. Whether creativity is part of our work, ministry, problem-solving, or hobbies, constant pressure to produce can drain our imagination until we are exhausted.

    Creative rest gives us permission to stop forcing inspiration. We can step away, enjoy beauty, and learn from the creativity of others. Every idea does not have to begin with us. God can use another person’s work as inspiration to awaken our creativity.

    Today’s Scripture — Exodus 35:35

    The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.

    Now…Selah!

    CHOOSE ONE WAY TO REST YOUR CREATIVITY TODAY:

    • Choose to step away from a creative project that has become forced. Give yourself permission to return when your interest has been renewed.

    • Choose to partner with the creativity of someone else. It’s called “brainstorming.”  “Two heads are better than one” is true. You don’t always have to stand under the pressure to have all the ideas or solutions.

    Prayer: “Creator God, renew my sense of wonder. Free me from the pressure to produce, and help me receive beauty, inspiration, and joy from You.”