Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ invites you to rest when you feel weary

Rest for the Weary
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

As another school year ends for both my children and me, I find myself feeling heavier instead of lighter. The nights seem shorter, the mornings come quicker, and somehow, we have already made it to June. I know this feeling all too well. It is the feeling of being weary—not simply sleepy or overwhelmed but exhausted from carrying too many responsibilities at once.

For so long, my solution was simple: keep going. Push through. Finish the next task. But eventually I learned something important—sometimes the holiest thing you can do is sit down and rest. What does rest look like for you? For me, rest can look like stretching out on the bed, putting the events of the day behind me, and reading an enjoyable book. But true rest is deeper than simply stopping your body. True rest begins when your spirit learns to let go.

I was born a Martha. I am incredibly good at getting things done, but rarely did I just sit still. Even while watching television, I felt the need to fold laundry, cook dinner, iron clothes, or clean something around the house. Sitting still with nothing to do felt unnatural to me. Rest was not a concept I was taught. I used to believe everything on my to-do list had to be completed before I could end my night, and somehow it all had to be done perfectly. That mindset left me exhausted. My nights stretched long after everyone else had gone to bed, only for me to wake up before everyone else the next morning and begin again.

Eventually, my body started responding to the exhaustion. I dealt with headaches, knee pain, and restless nights. I would fall into bed tired yet still toss and turn because my mind refused to rest. That is when I realized there is a difference between sleep and true rest. Sleep may restore the body, but only God can restore a weary spirit.

Slowly, I began shutting down my mind and body before bed. Instead of lying awake replaying problems and responsibilities, I started thanking God for the day I was leaving and the day I was entering. Little by little, I realized that physical rest often begins with spiritual rest.

There was a time when waking up in the middle of the night meant starting another task such as putting clothes in the washer or making a grocery list. Now when I wake up, I pray. At one point, I kept waking up at the same time every morning until I finally said, “Speak, God, your servant is listening.” In those quiet moments, God taught me that rest is not simply inactivity. It is learning to be still enough to hear His voice.

Psalm 55:22 (NIV) tells us, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken.” So often we cannot rest because we are carrying burdens God never asked us to hold alone. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God giving His people rest before continuing their assignments. God gave Elijah rest before sending him to Mount Sinai. Jacob rested before dreaming of a ladder reaching to Heaven. Even Jesus Christ stepped away from the crowds to spend quiet time with God. In the same way, we need moments where we step away from the noise and demands of life so God can refresh our spirit.

As women, many of us were raised believing rest must be earned. Even now, many women struggle to truly relax without multitasking. We continue moving even while calling it rest. But constantly doing is not the same as being restored. When we choose to rely on God more than ourselves, we begin to experience true rest, and rest brings clarity. Some responsibilities we once thought were necessary are revealed to be things we can release altogether.

Perhaps that is where some of us are right now—not lazy, not failing, just weary. And maybe God, in His love, is reminding us that we were never meant to carry everything alone. Surrender to God and learn to rest well in this season because the strength you conserve now is what you will need in the next season.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a place of rest for the weary. Teach us to release every burden, worry, and responsibility into Your hands. Quiet our anxious minds and help us trust You with the things we cannot control. Restore our spirits, renew our strength, and remind us that true rest is found in You. Help us to slow down, hear Your voice, and walk in peace instead of pressure.

In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

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Song of Reflection #1: “Breathe” by Maverick City Music (feat. Chandler Moore, Jonathan McReynolds & DOE). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Rest” by Maranatha! Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)” by Kari Jobe Carnes. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

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Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
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