When Your Soul Feels Stretched Thin

There are seasons when your body is moving faster than your spirit can keep up, and rest feels like something you’ll get to “once things settle down.” (And somehow… things never quite settle down.) If that’s where you find yourself, you’re in the right place.

Below you’ll find 10 verses for weary hearts, but before we get there, I want to share a story from a moment when God gently brought me back to stillness—right in the middle of cardboard boxes and chaos.

Unpacking Boxes… and Old Lessons

A year ago, I sat at my desk in my bedroom surrounded by boxes. We had just moved from Texas to Nevada and I unpacked my feelings with my therapist via telehealth. My bible, a box of tissues, and my journal were nearby.

I don’t remember much of the conversation, but today I unintentionally opened to that day in my leather journal with a note from my session: “Return to Rest.”

Today, I’m yet again in the company of boxes as we move to our first-ever home. We’ve officially retired from the sport of cross-state relocating — no more hunting for new friends, new childcare, or new church homes. Our poor college friends who still dare to send Christmas cards send a weary text in November, “What’s your address now?”

We’re actually setting down some roots, and I can even get a fancy return-address stamp for the Orlando Family.

And the invitation to rest with the Lord today remains.

Come to me, Sarah. Don’t get caught up in the to-do list and miss the sweetness of this moment. Trust I have the details. Trust this blessing I have for you, and don’t focus on the frustration of construction delays, mountains of unpacked items lingering in closets and bathroom vanities. Trust I’m with you in this moment. Before you head to Walmart to grab a few basics since your sink isn’t ready yet. Just pause and rest. 

Learning to Slow Down

Take a moment to exhale and hope in what’s to come—the people around your table, the meals cooked, the conversations over coffee or tea, the community.

Yes, all that goodness. I believe it’ll happen. And I can rest in his plans for me.

You see, the other week I was dreaming of how I could invite women over and build community. I miss hosting cozy Bible studies back in San Luis Obispo. And I heard the Lord nudge me to press in and invite people. He said, “People are busy, but lonely.” (Including me.)

Does that resonate with you? I’ve felt loneliness intensely over the years as we’ve moved over and over again. I’ve missed having people who “get” me. But now I can be the one who invites, who reaches out, who listens.

Friend, have you been busy this season or fighting loneliness? Have you been feeling a bit worn down or wishing you had some space to just be? The Lord is inviting you to draw close to him. It only takes a few minutes to sit and let him fill you. To meditate on a verse, or sit with your eyes closed and listen to a song.

I even made a playlist for us on Spotify: Return to Rest. Choose a song and soak it in. Let the Lord remind you of his faithfulness, his goodness, and his invitation to fill up thirsty souls with his presence. Then ask him to show you one person you can invite deeper into your life today.

Let him bring you back to rest — the kind you don’t strive for, just receive.

10 Verses for the Weary Soul that Needs Rest

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

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. — Psalm 23:1–3

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:26

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. — Isaiah 40:29

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. — Psalm 62:1

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” — Exodus 33:14

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. — Psalm 23:4

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. — Psalm 29:11

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. — Galatians 6:9

These Scriptures are ones I return to over and over again when my spirit feels stretched thin. My hope is that they meet you right where you are and you sense the Lord’s comfort and nearness.