It’s 6 o’clock. You shuffle into the house, not even bothering to take off your shoes before plopping down on the couch. Is too early to go to sleep? you ask yourself.
But then you remember all the things you still have to do, and you groan.
There are a million text messages to respond to. You have to prepare lunch for tomorrow. The kids have dance practice.
The thought of doing even one more thing—whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or taking the dog for a walk—is just too much.
All you want to do is sit and do nothing.
Finding True Rest
When you’re feeling exhausted after an impossibly long day of work, you can find rest in verses that remind us of God’s peace, provision, and love. You can hold onto this truth: no matter how crazy things are, God will be with you. He will not fail you—even when you’re too tired to function.
If you’re tired and stressed from being overworked right now, take some time to pray through these 5 verses with me:
God, give me rest right now. Help me know it’s okay to rest.
Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28 (GNTD)
God, give me peace. Show me I don’t have to have everything figured out.
Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. — John 14:27 (GNTD)
God, give me love. Inspire me with gratitude for all the ways you love me.
For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38, 39 (GNTD)
God, give me joy—not shallow happiness. Fill me with joy that satisfies me even when things aren’t going my way.
Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning. — Psalm 30:5b (GNTD)
God, give me hope. Remind me that you are in control.
May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13 (GNTD)