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Live From Rest Podcast #02
Overcoming Anxiety Through God’s Presence with Lucinda Smith

Have you ever tried to rest, but all you could think about was work? You tell yourself you're taking a break, yet your mind is still preoccupied with deadlines, unfinished tasks, and the pressure to keep going. We often feel that slowing down—even for a moment—might set us back or make us lose our sense of purpose. We live in a world that equates busyness with purpose, yet so many of us feel spiritually dry, anxious, and exhausted. Could it be that we’re searching for rest in the wrong places?

In this episode of Live from Rest, host Steve Smith is joined once again by his wife, Lucinda Smith, to explore the powerful idea that true rest is found in God’s presence. Lucinda unpacks the profound truth that rest isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we receive when we abide in God. Drawing from Scripture, including Moses’ encounter with God in Exodus 33 and Jesus’ teaching on abiding in the vine, she reminds us that God’s presence isn’t just a source of rest—it is rest itself.

This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed and distant from God. If you’ve ever wondered why rest feels elusive, or struggled with not feeling God’s presence, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on rest and faith.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

  1. Understand how God’s presence is the ultimate source of rest, not just a place to seek peace, but a reality we are invited to step into every day.
  2. Explore the connection between faith and rest, and why trusting in God—rather than striving for control—allows us to experience true stillness even in the midst of a busy life.
  3. Gain a fresh perspective on how to cultivate rest as a spiritual practice, learning to abide in God’s presence, let go of anxiety, and embrace the peace He freely offers.

Resources

Episode Highlights

[0:51] The Paradox of Busyness: Spiritual Dryness

  • Steve Smith introduces Rest is Presence: how true rest is found in God’s presence rather than just in physical relaxation.
  • Feeling productive doesn’t always mean being spiritually fulfilled—busyness can create a spiritual desert that depletes our connection with God.
  • We often assume we are successful because we are accomplishing things, but if we’re not resting in God, we may actually be spiritually drained.
  • Even meaningful work can distract from the deeper peace found only in God's presence.

[2:25] Lucinda: “We may have a lot to show for our lives, lots of things that we've achieved, lots of things that we've done and got a lot of credit for, but if it's been done without God, then it's a waste of time.”

  • God actively pursues us and invites us into His rest—He is our sanctuary, peace, and security in all situations. Even in the mundane routines of life, God is present.

[3:24] Faith and the Choice to Believe

  • Resting in God begins with faith—it’s about trusting Him rather than striving for control over every aspect of life.
  • Lucinda reflects on the story of Thomas (John 20:29), where Jesus blesses those who believe without seeing—faith in God’s presence follows the same principle.
  • Faith is essential because we often don’t “feel” rest or see immediate results, but trusting in God’s promises allows us to step into peace.
  • Jesus repeatedly emphasized faith throughout His teachings, showing that it is what draws us closer to Him and leads to true rest.

[8:07] Overcoming Fear and Anxiety to Find Rest

  • Our desire for rest is often blocked by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, making it hard to fully surrender to God’s peace.
  • Choosing to rest means releasing control—trusting that God already has every detail covered, even when circumstances feel overwhelming.

[9:24] Lucinda: “It's an act of faith to choose to stop worrying, to choose to stop controlling everything and to let go. It's an act of faith to leave things undone, sometimes to stop to take stock, even to drop some of the balls that we're juggling”

  • 2 Peter 1:3 reassures us that God has already provided everything we need for life and godliness—we don’t have to strive for it, just receive it.
  • Rest is not about doing less; it’s about believing more—shifting from self-reliance to total dependence on God’s provision and presence.

[16:29] Practical Applications of Rest

  • Lucinda discusses how rest is not just about physical rest but also about living a busy life from a place of rest and stillness.
  • She shares her belief that one can live a fulfilled life while being at rest, depending on God like a child.

[17:06] Lucinda: “I absolutely believe, you can live your whole life and be doing great things for God, but do it all from a place of rest, from a place of stillness inside, from a place of peace, from a place of just dependence on him.”

  • Steve mentions a book, "Life in the Fast Lane" by Joyce Huggins, which balances living in the fast lane with taking time to rest.
  • The conversation concludes with Steve inviting listeners to download the Live from Rest app and to stay in touch for future materials and webinars.

About Lucinda Smith

Lucinda Smith is a spiritual director, inner healing minister, and speaker passionate about helping others find freedom, peace, and deeper connection with God. With years of experience guiding individuals through spiritual formation and healing, she offers wisdom on cultivating rest in a world that glorifies busyness. Her work explores themes of stillness, faith, and spiritual warfare, showing how true rest is not just about stopping but about trusting in God’s provision and presence.

Lucinda’s insights challenge the modern mindset that equates productivity with purpose, inviting people to embrace rest as a spiritual discipline. Through her teaching, writing, and ministry, she encourages others to slow down, listen, and rediscover the childlike faith that brings true peace. Whether through one-on-one spiritual direction or broader teachings, she provides a fresh perspective on living a life deeply rooted in God’s rest.

Connect with Lucinda through her website and Instagram. 

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Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this episode with your friends and family. Let go of the pressure to prove yourself, to control every outcome, to carry burdens that were never meant to be yours. God’s presence is your rest. He invites you to trust, to abide, and to step into the fullness of His peace.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Instagram.

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