Encouragement for Today

April 7, 2025 Jesus Will Give You Rest DANA K. WHITE Lee en español

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

I love staying in an Airbnb. The best part? Someone else has made all the decisions for me.

The decor might not be what I’d choose, but I didn’t have to choose it. That means I automatically like it. Where should the dishes go? What is the best spot to store extra pillows? Who cares? Wherever the owner puts the coffee cups or bowls is fine with me. I usually don’t even mind the required cleanup procedures because they’re listed out, and I just need to check them off. No decision-making needed.

Decision fatigue is a thing. Emotional exhaustion is real. Sometimes I think to myself, I’m tired! only to realize I feel physically fine. It’s my brain that’s desperate for rest — spiritual rest. Relief from the weights upon my mind and soul.

I used to think of rest as stopping. As a state of zero responsibility and zero effort expended.

But those moments are rare and unpredictable. I can’t schedule a work emergency to happen at a “good time.” When my kids were little, I couldn’t know when a stomach virus would hit. And now that they’re in college, I can’t predict when a “Mom, can you talk?” text will come. I thought I’d planned out my year, only to find out my parents want to downsize their home. It’s important to me to help them.

Still, rest is possible because Jesus promises it. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Thankfully, He explained how: “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” (Matthew 11:29, NIV).

Jesus promises rest for our souls. Rest for the emotionally exhausted and stressed.

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, a “yoke” is “a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.”

Jesus isn’t saying He’ll help us nap. He’s saying to get under His yoke with Him. He eases the emotional exhaustion from so many of life’s hard things. He removes the angst of constant decision-making because we can walk alongside Him on the path He makes clear. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV).

Walking with Jesus, living life alongside Him, is rest. He gives rest to your soul in the midst of all the responsibilities of your life.

God, thank You for Your understanding of my heart and mind and the way You uniquely designed them. Help me rest under Your yoke in the knowledge that the way You lead me is the only way I want to go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

For more on resting in what Jesus has already done and understanding what it means to live life in that rest, read Dana K. White’s newest book, Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House: He Cares About Your Heart.

ENGAGE

Dana specializes in decluttering without using emotional energy. You can get a copy of her five-step “No Mess Decluttering Process” when you sign up for her free newsletter here!

To connect with Dana and hear how God used her biggest weakness and struggle to create her ministry, watch her tell the story of how she became an unlikely decluttering expert on YouTube.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House by Dana K. White. To celebrate this book, Dana’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, April 14, 2025.}

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

What situation can you present to God, thanking Him for His promise to give you His peace about it?

How can you get under the yoke of Jesus so He can guide you in His peace and give rest to your soul? Share with us in the comments!

© 2025 by Dana K. White. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks W Publishing Group for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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