rest – Tell Me the Story

Sick and Tired

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Are you sick and tired? Tired of all the stress and struggle at work? Tired of feeling like your kids’ taxi driver? Tired of the news? the world situation? I have felt all these things. That’s why I love this Scripture: Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

That’s the answer! Rest for your soul. When my head hits the pillow at night, I still feel like I’m spinning, like on a merry-go-round, and I whisper a prayer to God, “Give me rest and peace.” He says to me, “Be still.” It takes a while before the spinning stops, but I keep pleading for help. I fall asleep praying, “Help me, Jesus. Help me Jesus.” And God is faithful. He is always with me to comfort me and give me peace.

THINK ABOUT IT

When my heart returns to Matthew 11:28-30, I think of being yoked with Jesus. In middle-eastern thinking, a yoke is a teaching. It makes the next phrase make sense to me: “learn from me.” I particularly like the next part–being yoked (as with oxen) with Jesus. He is gentle and humble in heart, and I will find rest for my soul. Being yoked with Jesus is like partnering with Him. He is with me to help me, encourage and strengthen me. He bears the load with me. This makes my work easier. Even Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

PRAY ABOUT IT

Thank you, Lord, that you partner with me to lighten my burden and give me rest. Help is what I need. Rest is what I long for. Be in me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd–There is nothing I want or need more than you, Lord.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He provides for me and gives me peace beyond my comprehension.

He leads me beside quiet waters. Like streams in the desert, my Lord gives me peace in the midst of conflict and worldly stress.

He refreshes my soul. In His presence, in the quiet of the morning, He holds me close. He gives me strength and boldness for the day.

He guides me along the right paths for His names sake. As I seek Him, I find Him on the path of life. He teaches me deep things from His word that I apply to every-day circumstances.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, the valley of the shadow of death, I am not afraid because I know He is with me.

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. I have confidence as God leads me along right paths. Even if I wander, He is faithful to find me and set my feet on solid ground. Thank you, Lord.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Sometimes I think I cannot bear the conflict or persecution, but you are always with me, encouraging me, making me strong.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Your mercies are new every morning, more than I can imagine but just what I need–not just for me but enough that spills over into the lives of those you give me.

I know your goodness and love will be with me all the days of my life. This is something I testify about to others so they might have the same assurance I do.

The best part is knowing I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I will live in your presence and experience your love and mercy today and into eternity.

THANK YOU, JESUS.

Come and Rest

Are you at the end of you? Do you experience weariness or burnout? Do you think your burdens are too much to carry? Then help is on the way. I have been tired and worn out. Nothing I did made things better, no matter how hard I worked. I wanted to give up and even told God I didn’t want to go on anymore.

He was there that dark night of my despair. He heard my cries for help. I’ve learned that our God is amazing. He never sleeps or slumbers. He is available in the dark of night or the light of day.

My favorite Scripture verse for times I feel tired and weary is Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Imagine the Lord saying to you when you’re tired and weary, “Come and rest.” It can refresh your soul. I used to feel guilty for resting, but it was like I ran into the arms of Jesus when I took the words, “Come and rest” to heart. Imagine being yoked with the gentleness and humbleness of God. Yes, gentleness–not judgmental; humbleness–not condescending. Oxen are yoked together to make the work easier. Being yoked with God will make our work easier too, because He says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He is stronger than anything we face. He can help us through our anxiety and despair.

THINK ABOUT IT

As Christ’s followers, it has occurred to me that we could be Christ to others as we let His love and mercy flow through us. We could show love and compassion as Jesus does. We could be gentle and helpful as He is, and make others’ work easier. So where do we sign up? Where do we find those in need of love or mercy or gentleness? Well, when we pray for God to show us opportunities, He will open our eyes to those in need.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Lord Jesus, show us opportunities to reach out to those who need your love and mercy. Help us to be flexible with our time and to allow interruptions to our day. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.