When Rest Doesn’t Feel Like Rest

We’ve been walking through a hard season lately, and honestly—I feel weary.

I know everyone has those seasons, but as entrepreneurs, they can hit differently. Maybe it’s because our provision often feels tied to the season itself.

In this one, the lyrics from “Desperate” by Jamie MacDonald and Lauren Daigle have been echoing in my head:

“I'm at the end of myself, and I'm tired.
I've tried all that I know to do.”

That’s how it’s felt—like I’ve done everything I know how to do, and it’s still not working.

During this season, God keeps bringing me back to the story of the Israelites in the wilderness. It’s amazing how much that story mirrors our own lives.

When Rest Doesn’t Look Like Rest

Exodus 17 opens with this verse:

“The whole community of the people of Isra’el left the Seen Desert, traveling in stages, as Adonai had ordered, and camped at Refidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.”
— Exodus 17:1 (CJB)

If you read “When the Manna Feels Uncertain,” you’ll remember that the Seen Desert—or the Wilderness of Sin—was where God first provided manna for His people.

Now they’ve left that place and entered a new one: Refidim, which means support, resting place, or bed.

Can you imagine? You’ve been walking through the wilderness, utterly dependent on God for food, and now He leads you to a place called “Rest.” You’d probably assume it meant refreshment—finally, a break!

But when they arrived, there was no water.

I’d love to think I’d respond differently than they did. After all, God was literally providing food from heaven. But if I’m honest, I probably would’ve done the same thing they did.

“The people were thirsty for water there and grumbled against Moshe, ‘For what did you bring us up from Egypt? To kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?’”
— Exodus 17:3

They complained.

And God, in His mercy, did what He always does—He remained faithful.

He told Moses to go to the rock at Horeb (which means dry or desolate) and strike it with his staff. When he obeyed, water poured out.

Provision From the Dry Place

When you understand what those names mean, the story becomes even more powerful.

They were traveling to a land called Rest—but they found no water.
God told them to strike a rock in a place called Desolation.
And from that dry place, He brought living water.

The symbolism is staggering.

God was teaching them—and us—that true rest doesn’t come from the land or the circumstance. It comes from Him.

He’s the one who turns desolate places into springs.
He’s the one who brings provision from what looks barren.
He’s the one who refreshes weary souls right in the middle of wilderness seasons.

Rest Isn’t About Comfort—It’s About Covenant

We often look for rest in the same way Israel did—hoping for a break in the chaos, a little relief, something external to change.

We think,

“If the finances even out…”
“If the business finally stabilizes…”
“If I could just take a vacation…”

But God isn’t just trying to change our circumstances.
He’s teaching us to rest in Him—in His covering, His protection, His provision.

True rest is covenant rest.
It’s the peace of knowing God is with you and for you—even in the wilderness.

The God Who Fights for You

Later in that same chapter, still in Refidim—the land of rest—the Israelites are attacked by the Amalekites.

That doesn’t sound much like rest, does it?

But again, God shows Himself faithful:

“When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; but when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”
— Exodus 17:11

In the same place where God provided water from a rock, He now provided victory in battle.

In the place of Refidim—rest—God gave both provision and protection.

The message is clear:
Rest was never about the land.
It was always about the Lord.

Remember Where Rest Comes From

I know I often look to the “land”—my circumstances, my surroundings—and place my hope in what I can see.
When things look hopeless, I start to feel hopeless.

But this story reminds me:
It’s never been about the land.
It’s never been about the results.
It’s never been about what I can control.

It has always been about God.
About covenant.
About relationship.

He is the One who provides rest.
He always has been.
He always will be.

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

Rest isn’t the absence of struggle.
It’s the presence of God in the middle of it.

The land changes.
The seasons change.
But our God never does.