Restored by Rest

The Slow Work of Grace

Day 2

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
— Matthew 11:28–29

Rest used to feel like weakness to me. When life felt chaotic — when the recovery process demanded more than I could give — I thought pushing harder was the answer. But exhaustion never leads to peace. It just deepens the ache.

Jesus’ invitation is different. He doesn’t say, “Try harder.” He says, “Come to Me.” Renewal happens not in striving, but in surrender — not when I finally get it all right, but when I stop pretending I can do it all alone.

For those in recovery, and for families walking beside them, rest often feels impossible. But the rest Jesus offers isn’t just about sleep or silence. It’s about release — a soul-deep letting go of the need to control every outcome.

When I learn to rest in His gentleness, I find that healing comes quietly. Hope takes root in stillness. And in that stillness, I realize: He was carrying the weight all along.

Prayer for your day.

Gentle Jesus, teach me to rest in You. When my heart feels heavy with worry or fear, remind me that You are already holding what I can’t. Help me find restoration in Your presence today. Amen.