Finding Your Peace: My Journey to Rest

Before I talk about rest, let me share my own story. It’s easier to understand when you hear about my experience. My journey to rest did not start in comfort. It started in crisis. It started far from home. It started with tears. It began in times when nothing made sense.

My Struggles in Europe: Three Years of Hardship

Around 20 years ago, I was in a European city where it felt like everything was against me. No matter how hard I worked, nothing changed. It was like the heavens were closed, and every effort only brought frustration. I worked, studied, applied for jobs, and prayed, yet nothing improved. I was focused on an engineering career, thinking that was my path to success. But every door was locked. Every chance disappeared. Every effort was met with failure. It felt like I was under a spiritual block.

After three years without success, I turned to prayer, searching for guidance from God. I cried out for direction. I asked God why things weren't working. In that moment of prayer, God gave me three important instructions.

Instruction 1: “You Are Not Following My Purpose.”

Even though I was studying engineering, God reminded me that He called me to teach, to guide, and to share His Word. I was following a path He never planned for me. No wonder doors stayed closed, despite my qualifications. Without purpose, gates stay shut.

Instruction 2: “Leave This City. This Place Is Too Small For You.”

I had been working hard in a place that was not meant for me. Some places can’t support your destiny. Some lands are too small for what God has for you. After years of struggle, I obeyed. I moved, not just to a new place, but to a new purpose.

Instruction 3: “Enter Academics, Research, and Teaching.”

I began a new journey in academics, research, and teaching, following the path God had set for me. Suddenly, everything changed. Doors that were closed for years opened without effort. Opportunities came my way. Money flowed in. Favour increased. The atmosphere changed.

This is what happens when a believer aligns with God's purpose, timing, and place. Stubborn gates open. Iron doors break. Destiny begins to breathe again.

My Painful Season in South Africa

Years before this, I left Nigeria for South Africa with dreams, prophecies, and high hopes. Like Abraham, I stepped out thinking God had a plan for me. I believed I was following divine direction. I thought I was stepping into my destiny. But instead of comfort, I faced a furnace.

South Africa became a place of immigration struggles, financial hardship, hostility, betrayals, and constant loss. I faced rejection after rejection. I fought to survive. I had days when I didn’t know where help would come from. I had nights when fear and uncertainty felt like friends.

There were times I felt forgotten, like Joseph in prison, like David hiding from Saul, like Elijah under the juniper tree. I prayed, fasted, served God faithfully, yet the heavens felt silent. Every door I knocked on stayed shut. Every application came back with a rejection. Every attempt to rise met with opposition.

The worst moment came when my UK visa application was denied, not once, but many times. For two years, the rejection felt like a mountain mocking my faith. It felt like my destiny was trapped behind a wall.

My Turning Point: The Word That Changed Everything

In the midst of my pain in South Africa, a trusted man of God came my way. He was not famous or celebrated but carried a message from heaven. He looked at me and said:

“Apostle Ayo, your season of rest has come. Within one month, God will change what has been holding you back for years.”

I didn’t fully get it, but I believed it. Something changed in my spirit. I felt the peace of rest coming. I felt the weight lifting. And just as God said: My denied UK visa was approved after two years. I got a scholarship. Doors flew open. My life changed completely. I entered my season of rest.

This experience took me to Europe. With God’s help, I avoided every enemy of rest, sin, worry, bitterness, fear, bad relationships. God kept my rest and placed me in a new season. That’s why I teach about rest with certainty: I have lived it. I have experienced it. I know it is real.

Understanding Rest: The Promise of Results

Rest isn’t just about stopping work; it’s about getting results. Rest is when your efforts start to pay off. Rest is when your hard work begins to show results without struggle.

Jesus said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”, Matthew 11:28

Rest is a promise from God. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”, Hebrews 4:9

Rest is divine: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”, Exodus 33:14

Rest is a gift: “The LORD gave them rest round about.”, Joshua 21:44

Rest is a peaceful space: “So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.”, 2 Chronicles 20:30

Rest covers every area: physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and mentally.

When someone finds rest: Results become clear. Enemies lose strength. Finances stabilize. Health improves. Relationships become peaceful. The mind calms down. The heart finds peace.

Solomon said: “The LORD my God hath given me rest on every side.”, 1 Kings 5:4

This is the ultimate kind of rest.

The True Source of Rest: Jesus Christ

The best rest isn’t about money, marriage, or feelings. It is rest in your soul.

Rest starts when Jesus is in charge.

“There is no peace to the wicked.”, Isaiah 48:22

You can’t buy true rest with money. Marriage doesn’t guarantee it. Success can’t create it. Only Jesus offers true and lasting rest.

How? He forgives sins.

“There is therefore now no condemnation…”, Romans 8:1

He gives a new heart.

“A new heart also will I give you…”, Ezekiel 36:26

Sin and rest are enemies. No sinner knows peace. No believer living in sin can rest. Rest belongs to the righteous.

Knowing Your Season of Rest

Many believers find rest without realizing it. But understanding your season is important. When you know your time, you gain strength, courage, and clarity. Here are signs that your season of rest has come:

1. God Speaks Clearly

Moses heard it (Exodus 33:14). Israel heard it (Deuteronomy 12:9, 10). Solomon heard it (1 Chronicles 22:9).

When God says, “Rest has come,” nothing can stop it.

2. Unusual Storms After a Word

Jesus said, “Let us go to the other side,” and a storm came (Mark 4:35, 39).

Storms often come before rest.

3. Harvests Begin to Arrive

When results start to flow easily, rest has begun.

4. Enemies Become Weak

Isaac found peace after years of fighting (Genesis 26:19, 22). The early church found rest when Saul was converted (Acts 9:31).

5. A Major Test Comes Up

Joseph faced a test before his rise (Genesis 40). Saul had to show humility before becoming king (1 Samuel 9).

6. Favour Starts to Find You

Ruth found Boaz’s field by divine guidance (Ruth 2:3). Mary received a visit from an angel (Luke 1:26, 38).

Rest shows itself through favour.