Rest

Breathe: Learning rest from the Sabbath.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. - Psalm 62:8

1. Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a character flaw. It’s a signal… 2. We usually just push through. Make another list…apologize for being behind…maybe even blame others… 3. Overwhelm comes from carrying something for too long. But there’s a better way. 4. Moses felt this way. He told God, “I cannot carry all these people alone. It's too heavy for me.” (Numbers 11:14) 5. God came through. 6. Remember: You are allowed to not be okay. You are allowed to need help. 7. Jesus invites us to come to Him when we’re overwhelmed and carrying heavy burdens.

1. “God, let me die.” (A story you need to read.) 2. Elijah had just called down fire from heaven and then ran for his life because one person threatened him. 3. He collapsed in the desert, alone, and prayed the most honest prayer of his life: "I've had enough, Lord. Take my life." 4. God's response wasn't a rebuke, a lecture, or a theology lesson. It was an angel, a fresh loaf of bread, and a jar of water. 5. He was told to eat, because the journey ahead was going to be longer than he had strength for right now. 6. God never told Elijah his feelings were wrong. He just refused to let discouragement and exhaustion have the final word. 7. If you're sitting under your own tree right now, the God who met Elijah in the desert already knows where you are. He has what you need.

1. No more needing all the answers. Be okay in the hands of the one who has them. 2. No more striving. Embrace rest. 3. No more pretending it’s fine. Trust that it will be. 4. No more 3am spiral. Remember you aren’t alone in the dark. 5. No more white-knuckling through life. Release what’s out of your control. 6. No more fear of what’s ahead. Have faith in who goes before you.

Rest isn’t laziness. It’s obedience. 1. We live in a world that glorifies “busy”. The church isn’t immune to this. 2. But God rested on the seventh day. Not because He had to. But because He wanted to model it for us. 3. When we don’t stop to rest, we say: “Everything depends on me.” Or: “My worth is what I produce.” 4. Rest, on the other hand, is an act of trust. 5. Sabbath rest isn't just Netflix and a nap. It's intentional disconnection from striving. 6. Jesus told us to come to Him and He would give us rest. (Matthew 11:28)

How to notice God in the small moments today.1. Notice the breath in your lungs. Each inhale is a gift. Each exhale, grace.2. Pay attention to ordinary beauty: sunlight through a window, wind in the trees, warm coffee in your hands.3. God often speaks in quiet whispers, not constant noise. Slow down enough to listen.4. Watch for kindness… a smile, a text, a small act of care. Grace often arrives through people.5. Interruptions may be invitations. God can work through detours and delays.6. Pause before rushing to the next thing. God is present in this moment, not just the next one.7. Give thanks for one small thing right now. Gratitude opens our eyes to God’s presence.8. “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” - Psalm 145:18

Verses for when you feel overwhelmed. 1. “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” - Psalm 61:2 2. “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28 3. “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.” - Isaiah 41:10 4. “Do not be anxious about anything…and the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds.” - Philippians 4:6–7 5. “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.” - Psalm 55:22 6. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9 7. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled.” - John 14:27

Pray this if today feels heavy. 1. God, I feel overwhelmed and I don’t even know where to start. 2. My thoughts are loud. My heart feels tired. Please quiet the noise inside me. 3. I release what I cannot control. I surrender what I cannot fix. I give You what I cannot carry. 4. Fill my mind with Your peace, my body with rest, and my heart with hope. 5. I am not alone. You are with me here.

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work - Exodus 20:9-10

Which summer vibe are you? 1. Give me the open road and a 10-hour playlist. 2. Let me sit on a beach with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. 3. Lake day, sunscreen, and nowhere to be. 4. Backyard grill, lawn chairs, and friends staying way too late. 5. Hiking trail, fresh air, and no cell service. 6. AC blasting while I watch movies I’ve already seen. 7. Pool float, sunglasses, and absolutely no responsibilities. 8. Ballpark hot dog and a sunset game. 9. Porch swing, fireflies, and slow conversations. 10. Campfire nights and stories that get better every time.

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. - Exodus 33:14

Some reminders for your soul this summer:

Happy Labor Day!

Work hard. Play hard. Labor Day.

Happy Labor Day

5 Verses for the days you're running on E

If you’re feeling spiritually burnt out…

God uses tired people who trust Him more than their own strength. - J.I. Packer

The Lord is my refuge

Be faithful in the work. Intentional in the rest.

You don't just need physical rest. You need mental, emotional, and spiritual rest too.