10 Ways to Rest in God This Easter

Joao Nsita
6 hours ago
15 min read

The modern world is defined by its relentless pace. We are constantly moving, achieving, consuming, and striving. Even our approach to spirituality can sometimes feel like another task on a never-ending to-do list. As the Lenten season culminates in the glorious celebration of Easter Sunday, many of us find ourselves spiritually depleted rather than spiritually renewed. We plan the meals, buy the outfits, coordinate the church services, and hide the eggs, but in the midst of the beautiful chaos of Christian family Easter traditions, we often forget the very core of the holiday: the finished work of Jesus Christ that allows us to truly rest.

Easter is not just a historical event to be commemorated; it is an ongoing reality to be experienced. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate declaration of peace—a divine invitation to cease our endless striving and find sanctuary in the grace of God. Resting in God is not a passive state of doing nothing; it is an active, intentional surrender of our anxieties, fears, and control to the One who conquered the grave. It is about shifting our paradigm from a culture of hustle to a posture of holy surrender.

This Easter, you are invited to partake in a different kind of celebration. You are invited to experience soul rest. You are invited to discover the peace that passes understanding and to lean into the restorative embrace of the Savior. As we navigate Holy Week and look toward Resurrection Sunday, let us explore profound, practical, and deeply theological ways to quiet our hearts, silence the noise, and genuinely rest in the presence of the Almighty.

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10. Embrace the Practice of the "Holy Walk" (Christian Mindfulness)

In a digital age characterized by screens and sedentary lifestyles, getting outside to move your body is a profound way to reconnect with your Creator. The concept of an intentional, prayerful walk has roots deep in Christian monastic traditions, but it has never been more relevant than it is today. A "Holy Walk" is an exercise in Christian mindfulness—a deliberate practice of noticing the beauty of God's creation as the earth thaws and spring emerges.

The Spiritual Application: When you step outside, leave your phone behind. As you walk, observe the budding trees, the blooming flowers, and the return of wildlife. These are the earth's natural testaments to resurrection. Romans 1:20 reminds us that God's invisible qualities are clearly seen in what has been made. By walking slowly and intentionally, you align your physical rhythm with a spiritual pace. Use this time for quiet time with God, allowing your mind to wander through prayers of gratitude rather than lists of anxieties.

Practical Steps:

Pace Yourself: Walk slower than your usual stride. This physical slowing down signals to your nervous system that you are safe and at rest.
Sensory Observation: Name five things you can see that God created, four things you can hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell. This grounds you in the present moment, anchoring you in faith-based wellness.
Breath and Step: With each step, silently repeat a simple phrase of Easter reflection, such as "He is risen" on the inhale, and "He is risen indeed" on the exhale.

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9. Initiate a Holy Week Digital Fast

Our minds were not designed to process the sheer volume of information, tragedy, comparison, and noise that our smartphones deliver to us every hour. To truly find peace in God, we must actively silence the voices that compete for our attention. A digital fast during the Lenten season, or specifically during Holy Week, is one of the most effective spiritual disciplines for modern believers.

The Spiritual Application: Fasting is traditionally about abstaining from food to feast on the presence of God. Today, abstaining from social media, news cycles, and endless scrolling can be just as spiritually nourishing. When we remove the constant influx of digital dopamine, we are often left with an uncomfortable silence. In that silence, however, the Holy Spirit speaks. By disconnecting from the world, you are making a bold, counter-cultural statement that your soul rest is more important than your social status.

Practical Steps:

Set Boundaries: Decide what a digital fast looks like for you. It might mean deleting social media apps from your phone from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
Replace, Don't Just Remove: Fill the time you would normally spend scrolling with meditating on scripture or reading Easter devotionals.
The Bedroom Sanctuary: Keep your phone out of your bedroom. Invest in a traditional alarm clock so that your first waking thought is directed toward the peace of Christ rather than the panic of your inbox.

External Resource: For an excellent guide on reading the Bible without digital distractions, consider exploring reading plans on Bible Gateway.

8. Meditate on the Finished Work of the Cross

At the core of Christian anxiety is the subtle, pervasive belief that we must earn our salvation, our worth, and our peace. We live in a performance-based society, and we frequently project this onto our relationship with God. Resting in Jesus requires a profound paradigm shift: recognizing that the work of salvation is entirely complete.

The Spiritual Application: When Jesus hung on the cross, His final words were, "Tetelestai," which translates to "It is finished" (John 19:30). This was an accounting term meaning a debt had been paid in full. To rest in God this Easter is to internalize this truth. You do not need to strive for His love. You do not need to perform for His grace. Meditating on the finished work of the cross dismantles our pride and alleviates our spiritual exhaustion. It allows us to transition from "doing" for God to "being" with God.

Practical Steps:

Theological Reflection: Spend time reading Hebrews chapters 9 and 10, which detail how Christ’s sacrifice was once for all.
Release Expectations: Write down the spiritual burdens or performance metrics you are holding onto (e.g., "I must pray for exactly an hour," or "I must never have a bad day"). Confess these to God, and consciously exchange them for His grace.
Visual Reminders: Place a small cross or a printed verse (like Matthew 11:28) in a prominent place in your home to remind you daily that the heavy lifting of salvation is already done.

7. Curate a Sacred Soundscape

We are deeply influenced by our environments, and sound is one of the most powerful environmental factors. The blaring of traffic, the hum of televisions, and the chatter of crowded rooms keep our minds in a state of high alert. Curating a sacred soundscape is an intentional way to invite the peace that passes understanding into your physical space.

The Spiritual Application: Throughout scripture, music is used to soothe the troubled soul. David played the harp to calm King Saul's tormented spirit. In our own lives, playing worship music, classical arrangements, or even the sound of gentle rain can act as a buffer against the chaos of the world. It sets an atmosphere that is conducive to Christian meditation and prayer.

Practical Steps:

Instrumental Worship: Create a playlist of instrumental hymns or ambient Christian music. Lyrics are beautiful, but sometimes words require cognitive processing. Instrumental music allows the spirit to rest without the brain having to work.
Embrace Silence: Dedicate 10 minutes a day to absolute silence. Turn off the radio in the car. Sit in a quiet room. Allow the silence to wash over you, recognizing it as a space where God can meet you.
Call to Action for Streaming: To further facilitate a visual and auditory environment of peace, consider streaming the highly acclaimed series The Chosen on the Angel Studios app or Amazon Prime to immerse yourself in the calming, authentic portrayal of the life of Christ.

6. Engage in Imaginative Prayer (Ignatian Contemplation)

Sometimes our prayers become dry, repetitive recitations of our worries. We talk at God rather than resting with Him. Ignatian contemplation is a centuries-old spiritual practice that involves using your God-given imagination to enter into the biblical narrative.

The Spiritual Application: During Holy Week, the scriptures are rich with sensory details: the smell of the perfume Mary poured on Jesus' feet, the taste of the bread and wine at the Last Supper, the cold stone of the garden tomb. By reading a Gospel passage and placing yourself inside the scene, you encounter God in a profoundly personal way. You are no longer just reading history; you are witnessing the love of Christ in real-time.

Practical Steps:

Select a Passage: Choose an Easter narrative, such as the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) or the encounter on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24).
Set the Scene: Close your eyes and imagine the details. What is the weather like? What do the disciples look like? Where are you standing in the scene?
Interact with Jesus: Imagine Jesus turning to speak to you. What does He say? How does His presence make you feel? Allow this imaginative encounter to lead you into a deep state of soul rest.

Internal Link: If you find your mind wandering during prayer, you might find our guide on The Power of Vulnerability in Romantic Relationships helpful, as learning to be vulnerable with a partner often mirrors learning to be vulnerable with God.

5. Cultivate a "Slow Morning" Easter Routine

Easter Sunday morning is notoriously one of the most stressful mornings for Christian families. Rushing to get everyone dressed in their Sunday best, finding the lost shoe, and fighting traffic to get a good seat at church can entirely strip away the joy of Resurrection Sunday. To truly rest in God this Easter, we must reject the rush.

The Spiritual Application: The first Easter morning was marked by confusion and running, but it culminated in Jesus gently calling Mary by her name, bringing sudden, overwhelming peace. A "slow living Christian" approach to Easter morning prioritizes the condition of the heart over the perfection of the appearance. It is a deliberate choice to savor the reality of the resurrection before engaging in the performance of the holiday.

Practical Steps:

Prepare on Saturday: Lay out all clothes, pack the bags, and prep breakfast the night before. Remove every possible friction point from Sunday morning.
Wake Up Early: Wake up 30 minutes before the rest of the house. Brew a cup of coffee and sit quietly with the resurrection story in John 20.
Set the Tone: Play gentle worship music in the house as the family wakes up. Instead of barking orders to hurry, gently remind your family why you are celebrating today.

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4. Journal Your Spiritual Valleys and Resurrections

The journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday is the ultimate narrative of despair turning into triumph. In our own lives, we experience miniature versions of this cycle constantly. We face valleys of sickness, financial stress, or broken relationships, and by God's grace, we experience resurrections of healing, provision, and reconciliation.

The Spiritual Application: Journaling is a powerful tool for spiritual self-care. When we write down our fears and our prayers, we are physically moving them out of our minds and onto paper, which helps relieve anxiety. More importantly, when we document the ways God has faithfully brought us out of our "tombs" in the past, we build a reservoir of trust. Resting in God is much easier when we have a written record of His faithfulness.

Practical Steps:

The Good Friday Entry: Write down the things that feel dead, broken, or hopeless in your life right now. Be honest with God about your grief and frustration.
The Holy Saturday Entry: Write about the waiting. Acknowledge the discomfort of the "in-between" times when you cannot see God working but must choose to trust His plan.
The Easter Sunday Entry: Write down your testimonies. List the times God has resurrected dead situations in your past. Use this as a foundation of praise.

External Resource: For insights on the psychological benefits of expressive writing and journaling, explore the resources available at Psychology Today.

3. Practice Breath Prayer (The Ruach of God)

Anxiety and stress physically alter our breathing, making it shallow and rapid. This physiological response keeps our bodies in a state of stress, making it nearly impossible to experience spiritual rest. Breath prayer is an ancient Christian practice that marries the physical necessity of breathing with the spiritual necessity of depending on God.

The Spiritual Application: In the Bible, the Hebrew word Ruach and the Greek word Pneuma mean breath, wind, and spirit. God breathed the breath of life into Adam, and Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto His disciples. When we practice breath prayer, we are acknowledging that every breath we take is a gift from God. It is a profound way to invite Holy Spirit guidance into our physical bodies, calming our nervous system and centering our minds on Christ.

Practical Steps:

Find a Posture: Sit comfortably with your feet on the floor and your hands resting open on your lap, symbolizing a posture of receiving.
Choose a Phrase: Pick a short, biblical truth. For example, use Psalm 23.
Inhale and Exhale: As you inhale deeply through your nose, silently say, "The Lord is my shepherd." As you exhale slowly through your mouth, silently say, "I have everything I need." Repeat this for five minutes to experience profound biblical rest.

2. Embrace the "Sabbath" as a Lifestyle, Not Just a Day

The concept of Sabbath is woven into the very fabric of creation, yet modern Christians often relegate it to a mere two hours of church attendance on Sunday morning. True Sabbath rest is a radical defiance against a culture that equates worth with productivity.

The Spiritual Application: Hebrews 4 speaks of a "Sabbath-rest for the people of God," urging believers to enter into God's rest by ceasing from their own works. To rest in God this Easter means recognizing that Sabbath is not just a day of the week; it is a lifestyle of trust. It is the realization that the world will not fall apart if you stop working for 24 hours. It is an act of faith, declaring that God is the ultimate provider and sustainer of your life.

Practical Steps:

Protect the Day: Choose a 24-hour period (it doesn't have to be Sunday) where you cease all income-producing labor, chores, and errands.
Engage in Delight: Sabbath is not just about stopping; it is about delighting. Do things that bring you joy and draw you closer to God—cook a beautiful meal, take a nap, play a board game with your family, or read a novel.
Prepare in Advance: To truly rest on the Sabbath, you must prepare on the "Preparation Day" (historically Friday). Do the laundry, pay the bills, and prep the food so that your Sabbath can be completely free of obligation.

Internal Link: Want to enhance your Sabbath delight? Try baking something special for your family. Check out our 13 St. Patrick's Day Desserts guide for fun, festive baking ideas that easily adapt to spring and Easter themes!

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1. Surrender Your Burdens at the Empty Tomb

The absolute pinnacle of resting in God is the act of total surrender. Throughout the year, we pick up heavy burdens: fears about our children's futures, financial insecurities, health diagnoses, and the crushing weight of our own past mistakes. We carry these burdens on our backs, completely exhausting our souls. The message of Easter is that Jesus carried the ultimate burden of sin and death to the cross so that we would not have to.

The Spiritual Application: When Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John approached the tomb on Sunday morning, they were burdened with the heaviest grief imaginable. The sight of the empty tomb changed the trajectory of human history, but it also changes the trajectory of our daily lives. The empty tomb is proof that God is a God of the impossible. If He can conquer the grave, He can handle your career stress. If He can defeat death, He can navigate your relational turmoil. To rest in God is to walk up to the empty tomb, look at the folded grave clothes, and consciously drop your burdens there.

Practical Steps:

Identify the Idol of Control: Acknowledge that worry is often a manifestation of our desire to control outcomes. Confess this to God.
The Act of Relinquishment: Write your deepest anxieties on a piece of paper. Pray over them, telling God, "I cannot carry these anymore. I trust Your resurrection power more than my own strength." Then, physically destroy the paper—burn it safely, shred it, or bury it—as a tangible symbol of letting go.
Walk in Freedom: When the urge to pick that burden back up arises (and it will), remind yourself out loud: "I left that at the tomb. Jesus is handling it." Step into the peace of Christ, knowing that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.

Conclusion

The Lenten season and the celebration of Easter offer us a beautiful, sacred invitation to hit the pause button on our frantic lives. Resting in God is not a luxury reserved for the super-spiritual; it is a vital necessity for every believer. It is the only way we can sustain our faith, love our families well, and navigate the trials of this world with grace.

By implementing these practices—whether it is taking a mindful Holy Walk, fasting from the digital noise, practicing breath prayer, or fully surrendering your burdens at the empty tomb—you are actively choosing the peace of Christ over the panic of the world. Remember that the stone was rolled away not just so Jesus could get out, but so that we could look in and see that the work is truly finished.

This Easter, may you cease your striving. May you lay down your heavy burdens. May you experience the profound, restorative soul rest that comes from knowing, trusting, and abiding in the resurrected Savior. He is risen, and because He is risen, you are free to rest.

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10 FAQs About Resting in God During Easter

1. What does it actually mean to "rest in God"? Resting in God means ceasing from your own efforts to control your life, earn salvation, or manage your anxieties, and instead placing your complete trust in God's sovereignty, goodness, and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is an internal posture of peace despite external circumstances.

2. How can I observe a Sabbath rest when I have young children? Sabbath with kids looks different than Sabbath alone. The goal is to cease from labor, not necessarily activity. Focus on engaging in delightful family activities—like taking a nature walk, eating a special meal, or reading stories together—rather than catching up on household chores.

3. Is it wrong to be busy during Holy Week? Busyness itself isn't a sin, but when our schedule leaves no room for spiritual reflection, we miss the purpose of the season. It is important to carve out intentional moments of quiet to prepare your heart for Easter Sunday, even amidst a busy schedule.

4. What is a good Bible verse to read for anxiety during Easter? Philippians 4:6-7 is excellent: "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."

5. How long should a digital fast last? It is entirely up to your personal conviction. Some people fast from social media for the entire 40 days of Lent, while others choose to disconnect from Thursday evening (Maundy Thursday) until Easter Sunday morning. Start with a manageable goal.

6. I struggle to sit in silence. How can I practice Christian meditation? If silence makes your mind race, use guided Christian meditation apps or practice "Ignatian Contemplation" (imagining yourself within a scripture story) as mentioned in the article. You can also listen to slow, instrumental worship music to give your mind a gentle anchor.

7. How do I explain the concept of Jesus' sacrifice to my children without scaring them? Focus on the reason for the sacrifice—His immense love for us—and the victory of the resurrection. Use age-appropriate resources like VeggieTales or child-friendly devotionals that emphasize the happy ending of the empty tomb.

8. What is the difference between secular mindfulness and Christian mindfulness? Secular mindfulness often focuses on emptying the mind and looking inward for peace. Christian mindfulness involves slowing down the body and mind in order to look upward, filling your thoughts with the truth of scripture and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

9. Why do I feel guilty when I try to rest? Guilt around rest usually stems from a cultural idolization of productivity. We are conditioned to believe our worth is tied to our output. Remind yourself that God instituted rest at Creation (Genesis 2:2); if the Creator of the universe took time to rest, it is holy and necessary for you to do so as well.

10. How can I maintain this feeling of peace after Easter Sunday? Incorporate one or two of these practices—like a weekly Sabbath or daily breath prayer—into your year-round routine. Remember that the resurrection is a daily reality, not just an annual holiday.

External Link: To explore deeper theological insights on the peace of God and the resurrection, visit Desiring God for a wealth of articles and sermons.