Real Rest: Surrendering Your Burdens to God
I slept like a baby! Don’t you love waking up and being able to say that? There’s nothing quite like that feeling. On those mornings, I bounce out of bed, excited to embrace the day. I turn on one of my favorite worship songs, like “All I Need” by Anthony Evans, and set the shower to heat up, so it’s just right when I step in. With a huge smile on my face and an abundance of energy, I dive into my morning routine. After I finish getting ready, I hop in the car, cranking up another uplifting song—preferably another one from Anthony, my favorite artist. By the end of the day, I reflect on how productive I’ve been, and it fills me with pride.
Getting good rest can truly set the tone for your day, keeping a smile on your face and fueling your energy. When I’m well-rested, I make better decisions and find it easier to say no to things that aren't in my best interest.
However, these perfect mornings don’t happen every day; they might occur once or twice a week, and sometimes I can go weeks without feeling fully rested. Life is often a whirlwind of responsibilities. As a single mother of two precious children, I often feel pulled in every direction. I also tend to overthink various situations—whether related to work or my personal life—which can drive me a bit cray. When I’m sleep-deprived, I find that my tendency to overthink increases, leading to shaky decision-making.
In Matthew 11:28-30, The Message version captures Jesus’ invitation beautifully: “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.”
What resonates with me in these verses is when Jesus invites us: “Come to me. I will show you how to take a REAL rest. Walk with me, work with me, and keep company with me.” He offers to help us navigate our burdens.
Reflecting on Erika’s testimony from Episode 2 of the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman Podcast, I was inspired by how she emphasized that the transformation in her life stemmed from immersing herself in God’s Word. Through constant reading, she learned to surrender her efforts in swimming to God. She discovered how to rest in Him, realizing that to be successful in her sport, she had to place her trust in the Lord, not letting swimming overshadow God’s role in her life. She was working too hard to win, but once she surrendered to the Lord through prayer and scripture, He granted her rest. This calmness allowed her to focus and swim faster and better!
Psalm 37:4-5 reminds us: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
How do we take delight in Him? By getting to know Him through His Word! This is the best way to understand the character of God and to discern false teachers when we encounter them. Don’t rely solely on your pastor or Bible study leader to teach you; read it for yourself. In doing so, you’ll not only learn about God’s character, but He will also provide you with REST!
I’m currently learning from the Lord how to truly REST, and it feels wonderful. I’ve discovered that coming to Him through prayer and scripture is helping me achieve more consistent, restful nights.
You can, too!
Take 15 minutes today (set a timer on your phone) to read God’s Word. If it’s been a while since you’ve read on your own, welcome back! Start with the Gospel of John. Then, listen to TAYA’s song “For All My Life.” You’ll be so glad you did.
To God Be the Glory, Forever and Ever. Amen.