No Peace? Listen, God is Speaking Deeply

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

Stoking the Spirit: Life has a way of throwing unexpected changes at us—job losses, career shifts, broken relationships, or seasons of uncertainty. We often push through, relying on grit and determination, believing that if we just work harder, things will eventually fall into place. But what happens when they don’t? What happens when our efforts lead to exhaustion, frustration, and even despair?

I learned this firsthand when my career took an unexpected turn. A position I had poured my heart into, built from the ground up, was suddenly stripped away. I felt blindsided, deflated, and angry. I kept pushing forward, thinking perseverance would fix it, but deep inside, I had no peace. God was speaking through that lack of peace, shouting for me to trust Him. But I ignored it. Instead, I let frustration take root—at work, at home, in my spirit—until I spiraled into depression and anxiety.

Maybe for you, it’s not a career shift, but an addiction and deep struggle that has gripped your mind and life. You keep telling yourself you’ll stop, that you have control, but deep down, you know you don’t. The more you try to fix it on your own, the more entangled you become. Whether it’s pornography, alcohol, drugs, anger, or anything else that holds you captive, the cycle of trying harder without surrendering to God only leads to more frustration, shame, and exhaustion.

Or maybe grief has a hold on you—grief over losing someone or something that meant everything to you. You feel stuck, unable to move forward because the weight of that loss is greater than your willingness to let God walk with you in it. Maybe you don’t even want to let Him in because you’re afraid of what surrendering that pain might mean. But here’s the truth: Only deep calls to deep, and our God is the only one who can speak to those places in our soul (Psalm 42:7). Nothing else—no amount of distraction, numbing, or avoidance—can bring the peace that only comes from allowing God to meet you in your sorrow.

It wasn’t until a wise mentor, Dan Southerland, shared a simple truth that my perspective shifted: “Work from a place of rest, not work to rest.” I had it backward. I was striving for peace through control rather than finding peace in surrender. True rest—real, soul-deep rest—only comes when we trust God with what we cannot control.

Fireside Reflection: In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah found himself in a similar place of exhaustion and despair. After a great victory, he fled into the wilderness, convinced he was alone and defeated. Elijah was depressed. He sat under a tree and cried out, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4). He was physically and spiritually drained, overcome with fear and hopelessness.

But instead of rebuking him, God met him in his weakness—providing rest, nourishment, and ultimately, a whisper of direction. Notice that God didn’t speak to Elijah through wind, fire, or an earthquake, but through a gentle whisper. This moment reminds us that God often speaks to us not in the chaos, but in the stillness.

Like Elijah, we often look for God in the dramatic moments of life, but He frequently speaks in the quiet, calling us to be still and know that He is in control.

Embers of Challenge

• Are you pushing forward in your own strength, ignoring God’s whisper through a lack of peace?

• Has an addiction, destructive habit or a struggle taken hold in your life, keeping you from experiencing true rest in God?

• Is there a loss or grief in your life that you haven’t let God step into? Are you willing to let Him speak to the deep places of your soul?

• What would it look like for you to work from a place of rest rather than striving to earn it?

Ignited for Action: This week, take intentional steps to slow down and listen. Set aside time to sit with God in stillness—without an agenda, without distractions—just to hear His voice. Ask Him to reveal where you need to surrender control and embrace His rest. If you are battling addiction or grief, take the courageous step of confessing to a trusted brother in Christ and seeking accountability.

Fireside180 Connection: Fireside180 is about walking with brothers who sharpen and challenge each other. Don’t carry your burdens alone—share your struggles with a trusted friend. Let them pray with you and remind you of God’s faithfulness.

Fanning the Flames in Prayer: Father, I’ve been striving, pushing, and trying to hold everything together on my own. But I hear You calling me to trust You, to let go, and to find rest in You. Help me surrender what I cannot control and lean into Your peace. If there is any addiction, grief, or stronghold in my life, give me the courage to bring it into the light and seek Your healing. Remind me that my security isn’t in my circumstances, but in You alone. Amen.

Keeping the Fire Burning (Weekly Memory Verse): “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10