When you are so tired, you don’t even know what you need.
When you have forgotten why you are doing what you are doing.
When you are done.
Stop.
Get some time with Jesus, whatever that looks like for you.
Lay your life down.
Doesn’t that feel good?
Rest in His love and leadership.
Invite Him to take over, to lead, to live through you.
Lay down your agenda and ask Him to show you His.
“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” – Jesus , Matthew 28:11, 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 11:28-30 MSG
When you are tired, go to Jesus.
When you are worn out, His arms are open.
When your To-Do List is too long and you are overwhelmed, lay it down.
Get away, get out and get renewed.
With Jesus.
For an entire day.
So you can be reminded that He is God and you are not.
So you can be reminded that the world keeps turning because He IS.
So you can learn to live in the unforced rhythms of grace instead of the anarchy of urgency.
So you can live free and rested in His love.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Godʼs will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
You know that moment when your phone or computer is not working the way it should?
It’s response time is slow and simple things become frustrating.
Instead of wrestling through it or simply giving up, the first thing to try is to refresh the screen or app.
If that doesn’t work, you shut it down.
Unplug it.
The screen goes blank and you have to wait for it to restart.
It is the same with your mind.
When you are tired or overworked your response time slows down and simple things become frustrating, instead of wrestling through or simply giving up, take a break.
Unplug from the world around you and plug into God’s love for you.
Rest in His grace.
Refill your soul in His presence.
Even if it is just for a minute.
You will be amazed at the difference it can make.
“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.
The One who called you is completely dependable.
If he said it, he’ll do it!”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG
Wholeness takes time.
Abundant life in Christ includes abundant rest in Him.
Resting from trying to figure it all out.
Resting from worrying yourself sick.
Resting from trying to control everything and have the answers for everything.
Take a deep breath, slow down.
The very best thing you can do is rest in Him.
Let Jesus work.
God knows real change takes time.
Rest in Him today and give yourself permission to stop worrying about things you can’t control.
Life often demands that you keep going even when you are tired.
When you are burdened with grief, you still have to go to work.
When you are battling anxiety, someone still has to do the dishes.
When you are restless to go but must stay right where you are.
“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”
Matthew 11:28 MSG
Jesus invites us to walk with Him, work with Him, and watch how He lives in the fullness of God’s love every day while bearing a great burden.
Your world may be dripping with unmet expectations, foundation-shaking experiences, and unbearable obligations.
Or it may be boring and frustrating with endless monotony.
Whatever is happening around you, Jesus wants to walk with you through it.
Lean on His strength and let Him love you right where you are.
Rest doesn’t have a season.
It isn’t optional.
You need it every day.
According to God, you need at least one day a week that is dedicated to resting. You are not a robot, you are a human being. You are created to work and to rest. To give and to refill. To refuel and refresh. Rest isn’t just about stopping, it is about refueling energy. You need to refuel the energy of your body and soul, spirit, and mind.
“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.”
Exodus 34:21 NIV
You need to rest, refresh, recharge in all seasons but especially in the busiest ones.
It isn’t optional.
It’s how God made you and it is the way to optimize the gifts He has given you to fulfill the purpose He has placed before you.
What refreshes your spirit?
What rejuvenates your mind?
How will you recharge your soul this week?
Life often demands that you keep going even when you are tired.
When you are burdened with grief, you still have to go to work.
When you are battling anxiety, someone still has to do the dishes.
When you are restless to go but must stay right where you are.
“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”
Matthew 11:28 MSG
Jesus invites us to walk with Him, work with Him, and watch how He lives in the fullness of God’s love every day while bearing a great burden.
Your world may be dripping with unmet expectations, foundation-shaking experiences, and unbearable obligations.
Or it may be boring and frustrating with endless monotony.
Whatever is happening around you, Jesus wants to do a work in you.
Jesus is saying, “I will take your burden and you can have my strength. I lived loved, am dripping with grace, burdened with divinely appointed purpose, and wrapped in a deep peace that is not moved by the tumultuous circumstances happening around me.” You can live this way too – that is why I came, died, and rose again. Bring me all of you and all that you carry. I will carry it for you.”
My friend, I know you are tired today.
Don’t give up.
Don’t do this alone.
“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”1 Peter 5:7 AMPC
Give Jesus your burden today and let Him watch over you.
He was made for it.
Life is unpredictable.
Every day brings the unexpected and unplanned for.
The good news is that you have Jesus. He is here to guide you through it. He is your Shepherd. He sees ahead, helps you walk through, takes you where you need to go and protects you along the way. Dangers may loom, predators may attack but you are not alone.
“GOD, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.”
Psalm 23:1-3 MSG
Are you tired and worn out?
Jesus has quiet waters to restore your tired soul. Quiet means still, waters are refreshing. When was the last time you just let all around you become quiet and refreshed your spirit?
Is your soul starved?
Jesus will lead you to green pastures that will feed your hungry heart. He has made you with intentional and unique ways of refilling yourself when you’re empty. When was the last time you spent time doing what fills your soul?
Are you feeling lost?
God will guide you to the right paths that will bring God glory. He has created you on purpose for a purpose and will guide you in it. When was the last time you asked Him to show you the right path for this season? Often we continue in an old path from an old season until we look around and say, “I’m not in the right place”. Jesus is a present God who will give you updated guidance on the right path you are meant to be on.
He will lead you through the hills, the valleys, the deserts, and all the while, in the middle of it all, will provide a place for you to rest, refill, refocus in Him.
Jesus is the good Shepherd and He will lead you to what you really need today.
What do you need?
Rest doesn’t have a season.
It isn’t optional.
You need it, every day.
You need rest for your body and for your soul, spirit, and mind.
“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.”
Exodus 34:21 NIV
You need to rest, refresh, recharge in all seasons but especially in the busiest ones.
It isn’t optional.
It’s how God made you and it is the way to optimize the gifts He has given you to fulfill the purpose He has placed before you.
What refreshes your spirit?
What rejuvenates your mind?
What feeds your soul?
How will you rest today?
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”Isaiah 40:29 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28 NIV
