Literature


You Will Find Rest

by Anonymous


Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

If there is one word we can use to describe life in our modern world, it is pressure. Everyone has demands on us all the time! Your dentist wants you to floss twice a day, your doctor wants to know how much you weigh and what you’re eating, your accountant wants to know why you’re not keeping better records, your husband wants to know what’s for dinner, and your kids are hounding you to take them to go get ice cream.

Your co-workers want you to solve problems, answer letters, return phone calls, and make decisions. You have to plan trips, meet deadlines, and all with a proper attitude! And it goes on and on. Then there’s the guilt trips you have to deal with. Am I spending enough time with my family? What if I am making the wrong decisions? Will things work out if I do this like that? Then even more serious questions pop into your head. Is Yahweh happy with my efforts to serve Him? I really should be spending more time with Him, shouldn't I?

Stop and take a deep breath! We are all in the same boat. Ask Yahweh to help you prioritize your life. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down your answers to the following questions:

1. Am I satisfied with the way I am using my time?
2. What priorities am I currently neglecting?
3. What two action points can I implement in the next week to begin reducing the pressure I feel.

One person mentioned that number one in the questions above really spoke to her heart. She was not satisfied with the way she was using her time. She decided to reduce her television time by half and was happy to report that she accomplished all the things she had been wanting to!

Another person said that number 2 was a sore spot because he felt like a failure as a father. Yes, he provided for his families physical needs, but he knew that he should be spending more quality time with his wife and sons. He resolved to work on that one.

No matter how crazy your life is, everyone can benefit from number 3. For instance, someone said that she allowed mail to pile up at home, then she had to deal with all of it at the end of the week. She decided to tackle the mail daily after allowing herself to relax for a while after dinner. It reduced her stress level considerably. She also decided to get rid of clutter, which further helped.

Yes, this life can get crazy at times. Don’ t despair. There isn't a single situation that can’t be helped by implementing some simple strategies. Let’s make the most of our time upon this earth!