“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Have you ever tried to be "super woman"?
I'm not talking about the fictional character but the real life one that feels the need to show everyone what she's made of. She's the one so worried, prideful, loving, stressed, frustrated, selfless and so exhausted that she can barely think clearly or be kind to her kids. Just in case you have experienced "superwoman syndrome", there is something beautiful that I am FINALLY beginning to understand. It is surreal. It is totally Biblical. Jesus asks us to partake in it. It is called rest.
I'm not talking about laziness. I'm talking about a rest that comes only from jumping into a refreshing pool of God's grace and His plan for our daily lives. Did you know it is absolutely okay to not have the accolades of everyone else and miss the well done from the One Who really matters? All we need is Jesus to say well done. We were created for Him.
I'm incredibly grateful for the rest I found at the age of twenty-four when I trusted Christ as Savior. It was definitely life-changing. However, sometimes in the day to day of our Christian walk, we get tired and overwhelmed as we become self-focused or begin to take on things on that God doesn't want us to because of guilt from those around us.
I have gone through times of unrest where I push myself to do things that God hadn't asked me to on a regular basis. I wanted to be a good example to the ladies around me by trying to meet every need I could. Good example of what? Craziness?! I had bought into the lie that, if I just work a little harder and do a little more and be a good example of a servant, maybe they would see and want to join me. That is not necessarily how it works. We must be faithful. It honors God; but ME piling on more than He intends, that's on me. These ladies were His, not mine. Physically and spiritually I had taken on more than God intended. I thought I could change people! How exhausting!
This insane lifestyle leads to unhappy homes with moms not feeling up to being a mom, wives not having energy to pursue their husbands romantically-letting them know they are needed. It can lead to depression, anxiety and more serious health problems.
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength....
If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest."Corrie ten Boom
So, Let's take a look at what the Bible says is the cure for living stressed.
I. Rejoice always
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:4-8
There have been numerous studies done that confirm what they Bible has already taught us. We must think on things that will be uplifting. Did you know that research has shown that 85% of physical problems have an emotional component? A University of Wisconsin study recently showed that stress does not actually cause the illness though. The perception of stress does. Stress is just a perception. We must change our thinking. No wonder the Bible clearly tells us to think on good things!
Il. Rest patiently
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”
Psalms 37:7-8
One really quick way to stop rejoicing is to focus on other people's problems. We can literally stress out about things in others we cannot change. We find ourselves trying to fix the world from our Facebook app, and it can rob our joy and steal precious time from our families. Rest in the fact that God can change people!
III. Remember to Pray
How can I know what I'm supposed to do? What does God want? Pray! We need wisdom in our daily decisions. So many times we are overwhelmed, not because God has put more on us than we can handle, but because we do. Pray and ask God to direct your steps.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
James 1:5
Remember, God speaks to us in His word. We must read it and apply it.
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
We must realize what God's priorities are for us. We will not feel at rest or filled with joy until we are fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11
Christ never promised that the Christian life would be without struggle or sacrifice of comfort; but he did promise, as we saw in Matthew 11:28-30, that his burden is light and in Him we find rest. We don't need to live trying to please everyone else or try to keep up with everyone else. We live for an audience of One. If He says well done, that is all that matters. We can just rest.
