Live in rest, not in stress

28 Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

Most people are aiming to be relaxed – nobody really wants to be anxious, uptight and stressed-out.. God doesn’t desire for us to live so burdened and overwhelmed that we’ve got short fuses and are walking time-bombs. Although things might be busy on the outside and there are external pressures, we can live in peace and rest on the inside. It’s good to have holidays and regular time off to rest and relax from usual routines, but that is momentary peace and rest. God wants us to live in a place of continual rest – rest in our hearts – which will enable us to face pressures in life but not be pressured.

God’s will for us is rest, not stress – He never wants you to be stressed out or at the end of your rope. The solution to stress is living in His rest. We need to entrust our burdens to Him, and trust that He will give us the wisdom, the answer or provide what we need – He is our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). We can trust Him to lead us and care for us.

“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

As we keep our minds fixed on God and His promises, it will cause a supernatural peace to guard our hearts.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

Life will give you many opportunities to pick up and carry things that you shouldn’t. If you’re experiencing an emotional hernia you are probably holding onto something you shouldn’t be or you’re carrying something you were not yet ready to carry. Remember that you were not designed or destined to carry everything.

I encourage you to pray and give over to God whatever is troubling you, whatever problems or challenges you may have right now. Focus on His promises and receive His peace!