Beyond Control

Imagine Mr. Daniel, a hardworking father of three. His daily routine was a cycle of long hours, endless responsibilities, and very little rest. 

One evening, as he arrived home exhausted, his youngest daughter ran to him with excitement.

“Daddy, let me help you carry your bag!” she said.

He chuckled at her small frame and replied, “Annie, this bag is too heavy for you.”

But she insisted, so he handed her just his food pack because he knew she couldn’t bear the entire weight of his bad. She beamed with pride, thinking she had succeeded.

In that moment, he realized something; he had been carrying too much alone – when all along, God was offering to help.

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.
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Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT‬‬)

Stress often comes from our trying to control everything: work, family, relationships, the future. We convince ourselves that if we just push a little harder, plan a little better, or sacrifice a little more, things will fall into place.

But what if God is saying, “Let me carry this with you”?

Think about Martha in Luke 10:38-42. She was stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed with serving, while her sister, Mary, simply sat at Jesus’ feet. When Martha complained, Jesus gently reminded her:

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:41-42 ‭‭‬(NLT‬‬)

Was Martha doing anything wrong? No. She was serving, and Jesus Himself encourages us to seeve. But she was doing it with a heart burdened by stress instead of resting in Jesus. Imagine being so close to Jesus and still having to bear weights heavier than you. Weights that do not allow your heart to be still enough to hear what He is saying.

So, what are you carrying that’s weighing you down? The expectations? The deadlines? The uncertainty? The need to have everything figured out?

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22 ‭‭(NLT‬‬)

Maybe this is your reminder to pause, breathe, and surrender the stress to God. Trust Him with what you cannot control this year. Rest doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities; it means trusting God to handle what your strength alone cannot.

Dear Believer, God never made you to live in a state of constant stress. He invites you to trade your heavy burdens for His peace. Will you let Him?

Shalom!