There are days when life feels relentless. The to-do lists never end. The noise of the world seems louder than ever. Our minds race with anxieties, worries, and all the “what ifs.”
And somewhere in the middle of it all, our souls grow restless.
It’s a weariness that runs deeper than tiredness. It’s not something a nap or a day off can fix. It’s the kind of restlessness that comes when we’ve drifted away from the quiet place of God’s presence — when we’ve been so focused on what’s ahead or what’s overwhelming us that we forget to pause and remember Who has carried us this far.
Psalm 116:7 calls us gently back:
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
– Psalm 116:7
Notice how the Psalmist doesn’t say, “Find your rest” or “Earn your rest.”
He says, “Return.”
That word holds so much grace. It tells us that rest isn’t a distant goal we must strive to reach. It’s not something we have to earn through hard work or fixing every problem.
It’s a returning — a coming back to what was always ours in God.
The truth is, rest is not a place.
It’s a Person.
Rest is found in the nearness of God’s presence.
In the stillness where we remember:
“The Lord has been good to you.”
Remembering His Past Faithfulness Anchors Us in Present Peace
When life gets busy or hard, our natural tendency is to fix our eyes on what feels urgent. We look at what’s lacking. What’s uncertain. What’s unfinished.
But this verse invites us to shift our focus.
“Return to your rest, my soul…”
Why?
“…for the Lord has been good to you.”
Rest comes not when all our circumstances align, but when we pause to remember His faithfulness.
Think back on your own life.
The ways God has provided.
The prayers He’s answered.
The strength He’s given you on days when you thought you couldn’t go on.
His goodness is not a distant memory – it’s an ever-present reality.
When We Forget His Goodness, We Forfeit Our Rest
Much of our restlessness comes when we lose sight of God’s character.
When we begin to doubt His goodness, we try to carry burdens He never asked us to carry.
We strive, we stress, we control.
But rest is found when we bring our striving to a halt and let our souls breathe in this truth:
“The Lord has been good to me.”
Not “will be good” if He answers a prayer in a certain way.
Not “might be good” depending on what tomorrow holds.
He has been good.
And that goodness doesn’t change.
A Gentle Invitation Today
Today, if your soul feels restless, weary, or anxious—
Let this be your invitation to return.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need everything on your list ticked off.
You just need to pause.
Remember.
And return to the One who is your rest.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Reflection Questions
- What is currently stealing your sense of rest?
- Can you think of a time when God has been undeniably good to you?
- What’s one way you can pause today and intentionally return to His presence?
Let me know in the comments.
Let’s Pray
“Lord, my heart has been so restless lately. I’ve been focused on my circumstances and have forgotten Your proven goodness in my life. Help me to return to Your rest today. Teach my soul to find peace not in outcomes, but in You. Thank You for always being faithful. Amen.”
Drawing Closer 
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