Called to Stillness: God’s Invitation to Rest

By Janelle Bruland

For most of my life, I wore my strength like a badge of honor. I knew how to show up, get things done, and push through on even the hardest of days. I was proud of my resilience. Proud of my ability to keep moving no matter what. But somewhere along the way, what looked like strength on the outside became a quiet unraveling on the inside.

It took a neurofeedback session for that truth to finally surface. As I sat there, unable to calm my racing thoughts, I realized just how exhausted I really was. All the pushing through had left me depleted. I had become so used to carrying it all that I no longer knew how to let go.

That is when Psalm 46:10 came alive for me. “Be still, and know that I am God.” I had read this verse many times before. But in that moment, it was more than a comforting phrase. It was an invitation.

God was not asking me to do more. He was asking me to stop. To be still. To remember who He is and trust that I do not have to hold everything together.

The “Push-Through Trap”

I had fallen into what I now call the “push-through trap.” It is the belief that our worth comes from our performance. That rest is laziness. That slowing down means falling behind.

But Jesus invites us into something entirely different. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

This is not about doing nothing. It is about releasing what we were never meant to carry. It is about recognizing that our value is not measured by what we accomplish, but by who we belong to.

Eventually, my body spoke up in ways I could no longer ignore. Headaches. Fatigue. A deep sense of disconnection. I had called it strength. But it was really avoidance. And it was costing me peace.

These moments of slowing down and tuning in to God’s presence were part of a larger transformation in my life, one I write about in my second book, Your Way Back to Happy: How to Turn the Pain of Your Past into a Future of Freedom, Purpose, and Peace. It is a story of moving from survival mode into a place of faith and healing.

  “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my    soul.” (Psalm 23:2-3)

Freed from the Trap

I now understand that God designed our bodies with built-in warning systems. Sometimes, our bodies tell us what our hearts have been trying to hide. And often, the most faithful thing we can do is to stop and listen.

Have you ever felt this way? That no matter how much you achieve, it never feels like enough? That slowing down feels unproductive, even though exhaustion is catching up with you?

If so, I encourage you to open your heart to God’s invitation into a different rhythm of stillness and surrender. Here are a few simple ways to begin embracing that sacred rhythm in your own life:

1. Let Go of Control
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

We like to think we are in control, so we work tirelessly to keep everything on track. But what happens when things don’t go as planned? Do we trust God in the unknown, or do we try to force our way forward? I used to think success meant holding everything together. But real peace came when I learned to let go. Letting go is not about giving up. It is surrendering the illusion of control and trusting that God is still working, even when we cannot see it.

Try writing down one area of your life where you’ve been trying to control the outcome. Pray over it, then release it into God’s hands.

2. Be Fully Present
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Life has a way of pulling us in many directions. We multitask, and even in times of rest, we feel restless. I spent years living this way, until I realized I was rushing past the very life I was trying to build. Jesus told Martha that only one thing is necessary: His presence. The same is true for us. When we are present, we see the beauty in ordinary moments and make space to hear God’s voice.

Choose one activity today and give it your full attention. Put away any distractions. Breathe deeply and give thanks for the moment.

3. Set Boundaries for Peace
“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” (Matthew 5:37)

Boundaries are not about pushing people away. They are about honoring the life God has called you to live. When you say yes to everything, you begin to say no to your own well-being. Jesus Himself had boundaries. He stepped away from the crowds to pray and to rest. If Jesus needed boundaries, why do we think we don’t?

Think of one area where you feel overcommitted. Choose one step you can take today to protect your peace, whether it’s saying no or blocking out time to rest.

Take five quiet minutes alone to ask God what success really looks like in this season of life. Write down what you hear. Let His word guide your next step.

God is not asking you to perform or prove anything. He is simply inviting you to come close. Not someday, not when things slow down, but right now. Start with one quiet moment. One honest prayer. One small act of release. And trust that even the smallest steps can make space for God to move in ways you could have never imagined.