Thursday, May 29, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Thessalonians 1

Can you remember a time when it felt like you were being crushed under the weight of your struggles? Maybe you were dealing with financial or family problems, slammed with work deadlines, or suffering from an illness, and it seemed like there was no end in sight.

Resisting rest is easy, especially in our modern, fast-paced culture. We are expected to work, care for our households, and manage our physical and emotional health all by ourselves. The truth is that resisting rest and carrying burdens ourselves will only lead to burnout and stress. So many of us carry weight that we were never meant to carry on our own. We forget to keep our eyes on our Savior.

This past year, I have realized how detrimental resisting rest and attempting to carry the weight of the world has been to every aspect of my health – physical, mental, and spiritual. I would either overbook my schedule for weeks at a time to help me forget about my burdens or I would put on a brave face and mask my feelings in hopes that I wouldn’t burden those around me. This led to my chronic pain reaching an all-time high, my mental health issues worsening, and my neglecting to spend time with God. The weight was crushing me, and I sunk into a deep depression.

There was finally a night in March when I decided I could no longer carry this weight on my own. I opened my Bible for the first time in weeks and had a vulnerable conversation with God. I placed my burdens at his feet and invited him into my life, making space to allow him to carry my burdens with me. Since then, God has given me more joy and hope. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Matthew 11:28-29
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

I hope that you invite Jesus into your life and allow him to carry the burdens that you have been bearing yourself for so long. Let’s remember that Jesus is always walking alongside us, eager for us to accept his gift of rest and willing to share our load.

Questions:
What happens when you try to carry your burdens on your own?

In which areas of your life do you need to invite Jesus to carry your burdens?

Next Steps:
Join a Group for the Summer Semester, where you’ll meet regularly with fellow Christ followers, share each other’s burdens, and glorify God together. The directory opens May 31.

Have a vulnerable conversation with God, asking him to reveal in which areas of your life you need to give him your burdens.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thanks for sharing my burdens with me. I often carry weight that I was never meant to deal with on my own. I easily forget that you are right here with me to give me rest in this hectic world. Remind me to lay down my burdens at the cross, trusting you with every aspect of my life. Help me to find rest in you so that I may restore my weary heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.