“Come to me and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28 (CEV)
When Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 CEV), what kind of rest is he talking about?
Jesus offers a rest for your soul that’s much deeper than physical rest—because he knows that the problem you need help with right now is probably not overworked muscles.
When you come to Jesus in your emptiness, what you probably have is an overloaded mind, soul, and spirit. You need rest not just from physical work but from tension, stress, anxiety, hurry, and worry. You need the kind of rest that can’t come from taking a good nap or going on vacation.
Most people have a way to unwind when they’re physically tired that’s different from how they unwind when they’re emotionally and spiritually exhausted. Maybe when you’re tired, you watch a movie or spend time on your phone. Maybe you have to lie down, or maybe you need a walk outside. Maybe you choose to spend time with friends, or maybe it’s better for you to be alone.
Those can all be good things—but none of them can restore your soul.
Only God can restore your soul. That’s why, when you have soul emptiness, soul depression, or soul overload, Jesus wants you to come to him.
Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak” (TLB).
When you’re empty inside, culture says you need to do more. You need to make more money, get more things, do more things, travel more places. Go, go, go. More, more, more. But that’s the very reason you’re empty!
Jesus wants you to do the opposite: Don’t go. Come to him—and come just as you are.
Your soul will never find rest in anything the world has to offer. That’s because your soul was not created to be filled by anything in this world.
You were made for God, and you only find real rest when you bring your weary soul to him.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Help Share the Good News of Jesus with the World!
In God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions, Pastor Rick Warren takes you to the Bible to find practical, life-changing guidance for some of life’s biggest struggles.
This book will help you:
- Cope with stress in a healthy, biblical way
- Find peace and confidence in times of crisis
- Rebound from failure and move forward with purpose
- Overcome loneliness and build meaningful relationships
- Experience real, lasting change through God’s truth
Request your copy today when you give to help take the hope of Jesus to the world through Daily Hope. And thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
