You Don't Have to Be Strong All the Time

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

— Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

What if God never expected you to carry everything alone?

When I was in high school, I dreaded classes on the third floor. Why? Because I had to run from the first floor to the third in less than three minutes. I was a pretty fast runner (AKA, class-changer). But what I didn’t have going for me was the stack of books weighing down my backpack. By the time I’d slide into my seat, I’d lay my head down on the table out of exhaustion. Can you relate?

While I’m no longer in high school (Praise the Lord), I’m still really good at carrying heavy things when I shouldn’t. It might not be textbooks and class papers, but now it’s burnout, emotional exhaustion, or feeling the pressure to hold everything together. I avoid rest like the plague, run myself into the ground most days, and always feel like I’m never doing enough.

If you’re feeling this way, you’re in good company. That at least makes two of us! But the better news is that Jesus never asked us to live this way. No, Jesus invites those of us who feel weary, weak, and over-extended. It’s why He says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV) But notice what the verse doesn’t say.

It doesn’t say, “Come to me, all you who are strong, perfect, and have no need for me.” No, rest and learning to come to the Lord as we are isn’t lazy, but spiritual. And when we express how we’re really doing, how we can’t handle the weight anymore, God smiles. Because we’re coming to Him as we were always intended to do so. Vulnerability allows us to receive support, and God’s encouragement often comes through people.

Today, you and I can choose to rest. To come to Him as we are. How do I know this? Because we were never meant to survive life by pretending we were okay. Needing rest and a break from being strong doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human.

Question for Reflection:

What burden do you need to stop carrying alone? Is it the weight of parenting? What about the exhaustion of anxiety or depression? Is it unrealistic expectations you’ve placed on yourself? No matter what it is, Jesus gives you the power to lay it down today. It might not happen all at once, but over time, He can help you exchange it for rest.