With the stress of studying and assignments pile up and the end of the semester creeping up on us, it can feel like there is no time in our lives to rest and recharge. We find ourselves desperately counting down the minutes until the next break or the next weekend. Those few days amidst the busy semester where we can finally pause feel like a breath of fresh air but the reality of those days is that they all come to an end. Slow Sundays turn into manic Mondays in the blink of an eye. All of a sudden the slow weekend you’d been looking forward to all week is suddenly over and the busy rhythm of classes, exams, and life picks back up before you know it. In these moments it’s easy to wonder ‘Where am I supposed to find rest in the middle of all this?

Rest isn’t just found on the days off of classes. It’s not just a long weekend away or a night binge watching Netflix. True rest is a daily practice and a deep spiritual reality. It’s the one that God invites us into every single day.

Rest is woven into the very fabric of creation. In Genesis 2, after six days of creating the earth, God Himself rested on the seventh day. This was not because He was tired, but because He set a pattern for us. Rest is holy and necessary. It’s a need built into our lives by the Creator. What’s different about God’s rest and our worldly idea of rest is that His isn’t just physical but it’s also about being content and at peace. It’s a reminder that our worth isn’t tied to how much we do or accomplish. 

Jesus shows us what it means to rest well. All throughout scripture we see Him take time to withdraw from the crowds and find quiet with His Father. After performing miracles, healing people, and teaching large crowds, Jesus would often go off by Himself to pray (Luke 5:16).

He also slept. While an intense storm rocked the boat that He and His disciples were on, Jesus was asleep in the stern. He was completely at peace despite the chaos around Him (Mark 4:38). He trusted fully in God’s protection. 

Jesus teaches us that rest isn’t a sign of weakness or laziness. Rest is an act of faith, trusting that God is in control and that we don’t have to carry all out burdens alone. College can be demanding. The stress of deadlines, exams, group projects, and balancing social life with it all can create so much anxiety and tension in our minds. But the good news is that God invites us to surrender all that stress to Him. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

Here are some practical ways that we can be intentional about finding rest every day:

• Pause and pray. Be intentional about finding time in your day to talk to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Invite Him to carry your worries. He loves you and He wants to hear from you.
• Depend on Scripture. Memorize it and meditate on verses or passages that will uplift and encourage you when you are down. Here are some of my favorites for times like these:

Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…”

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.”

• Rest in knowing that God’s timing is perfect. Even when the deadlines loom and things feel overwhelming, find peace in the truth that He is in control of it all.

• Create habits that prioritize rest. This doesn’t have to be some big chunk of time carved out of your everyday life. Just finding small breaks in your days to reflect, journal, or spend quiet time with the Lord in the midst of all the chaos of life will make a huge difference.

True rest isn’t just temporary, it’s eternal. Breaks and weekends are blessings for sure! We should use them to recharge and recoup for the weeks ahead. But remember, these times aren’t forever. The rest that the Lord offers us through Christ is neverending. It’s a refuge and an unshakable foundation.

God is our safe landing spot in the craziness of life. So when the semester feels overwhelming, when your to-do list feels endless, and when anxiety creeps in, don’t just wait for the next day off to find calm. Find your rest in Him every single day. Rest isn’t just a pause from work, but a gift from God, and a way of living anchored in His peace.

You’ve got this!