Christian Contemporary singer Josh Wilson's poignant songwriting is coupled with musical excellence, as each song urges me to see God more clearly. This album is sure to connect with all listeners who like catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God.
Josh draws you into his life in a way that feels so genuine and relatable, you’ll think you've known him forever after listening to this album. He writes about themes that cause you to hang on every word he sings, and this song is no exception. His albums showcase Wilson’s unique ability to convey the challenges of life and the need for a savior.
Having enjoyed Josh Wilson’s previous hits like “3 Minute Song,” “Before the Morning,” “I Refuse,” “Fall Apart,” “Carry Me,” "That Was Then, This is Now,” and “Borrow (One Day at a Time),” I was looking forward to hearing his latest hit "It Gets Better” from his new album Mental Help. With its probing spiritual themes and imaginative, self-reflective lyrics, the album cements Wilson’s position as one of the finest songwriters of his time.
Mental Help showcases the complete breadth of Josh’s songwriting, from the celebratory, pop-driven track “I Surrender All” to the beautiful and moving anthem “Jesus and Therapy.” I had the chance to speak with Josh in person before the We Love Awards about “Rest.”
Could you please share the personal story behind this song?
"Rest" was inspired by my struggles with insomnia and the anxiety and depression that came with it. I found comfort in the Bible verse Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Even when I was unable to sleep, I found solace in the hope that Jesus was holding me together. The song serves as a reminder of God's care and provision during difficult times.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "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."
Matthew 6:31-34 (VOICE): “So do not consume yourselves with questions: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions; they don't realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. So do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG): "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Matthew 11:28 (NIV): "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV): "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
What is the takeaway message?
I experienced a period of severe insomnia that lasted for a year or two. This lack of sleep significantly impacted my mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and worry. "Rest" became a way for me to share this message of hope and remind people that even in difficult times, they can find rest in God's care. I hope the song's message resonates with people, particularly during moments of anxiety, as a reminder of God's presence and provision during uncertain times.
Lyrics
The world spins in circles I can't slow it down My fears and my failures Are screaming so loud
Just under the noise There's a still, small voice, saying
Rest, rest Jesus is holding you Rest, rest There's nothing you have to do Just lay down your burdens God's got the world in His hands So take a deep breath And rest
Late in the evening When I just can't sleep God, help me hear You As You sing over me
Just under the noise With a still, small voice, saying Rest, rest Jesus is holding you
Rest, rest There's nothing you have to do Just lay down your burdens God's got the world in His hands So take a deep breath And rest Just rest Still my soul You won't let me go Still my soul God, you don't let go Rest, rest Jesus is holding you Rest, rest There's nothing you have to do Just lay down your burdens 'cause God's got the world in His hands So take a deep breath And rest Just rest
Closing Thoughts
God loves you so much. So, lean on Him, and He'll give you strength. If you follow Jesus, know that He is singing these words over you. Know that being His is enough. We should not be ashamed to sing about our dependence on God and to show Him reverence. What in your life is beyond you that you can hand over to God? Allow Him and His supernatural power to take you to places you can't reach on your own.
We raise our hands to celebrate and surrender. We can lift our hands in confidence to God, knowing that His mercy is unfailing. His love is everlasting. He is our refuge and strength. God's ultimate desire is not to bring harm, but to restore us so we can experience His unfailing love.
Allow God and His Holy Spirit to transform you into a more Christ-like person and draw you nearer to His glory. This is a beautiful song of encouragement and prayer, asking God to humble our pride, live out the story of redemption, and move closer to who we’re meant to be in Christ.
God continually reminds me of His resurrection power through His Spirit in believers. That's the beauty of His Word. It doesn't return empty. Instead, it offers a constant source of comfort, guidance, and a way to draw closer to Him.
The enemy uses fear, anxiety, and worry to keep us from sharing our faith, focusing on Jesus, and embracing the greater things God has planned for us as His followers.
This song truly touches me in many ways. I know that many of us struggle with the idea that our past and present mistakes are unforgivable, but the Bible tells us that isn't true.
Read that excellent translation in The Message of Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus tells us: "Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." What an incredible comfort to know that when we struggle with our pain, pride, and unloving natures, we can all lay it at the feet of Jesus. This is a fantastic song to sing to our Lord and Savior as a personal prayer of thanks and praise.
The Holy Spirit gives us new life, and our guilt, fears, or worries no longer hold us back. We are born again and are called to live as children of God. Too often, we get caught up in our circumstances and become overly critical of ourselves, allowing negative thoughts to define our self-worth. Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the fight of our minds, from sin and death, and He wants us to live an abundant life in Him. What a wonderful, uplifting truth.
This song encourages us to see ourselves the way God sees us. What a powerful message of redemption: Grace is an unearned favor and a gift. We are empowered by depending on God's supernatural ability instead of our own.
I love how Josh takes moments of personal anxiety and panic, when he feels he isn’t living up to his calling as a follower of Jesus, and transforms those moments into songs that serve as prayers of surrender to God.
Join Josh in responding in total surrender to God: “Just under the noise/With a still, small voice, saying/Rest, rest/Jesus is holding you.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a passionate enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He believes that the message of Christian music has led him to a deeper understanding of Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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