Let Him Give You Rest

Matthew 11:28–30 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] 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. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Sometimes life can blindside us and broadside us, we feel overwhelmed, if not broken by life’s pains and sorrows, but in Matthew 11:28 we are reminded that Jesus gives us rest, not a physical rest, but a deep abiding rest, a rest that reminds us we are not alone.

We need Jesus in times like this, but as I was reminded Sunday sometimes He uses us. Sometimes He calls us to step in and comfort even if it’s simply to be a shoulder to lean on.

The Lord blessed me with being able to comfort someone near and dear to me, when they needed space to grieve. I found myself saying a few comforting words, but looking back maybe the words didn’t matter, maybe she just needed a safe place to let go of the facade that everything was okay, and admit she was in her pain.

At the time I only knew in part of what caused her pain, now I have learned more, but none of that matters in the context of what I am writing here, what does matter is that God will put us in the right place at the right time.

I have been pretty attuned to the feelings of those around me, even when they try to mask them, so much so that those who don’t often admit what’s going on open up more to me, is it anything remarkable I’m doing, no it’s all God, just as he has placed these amazing people in my life.

For weeks now the Lord has placed this person in my heart, before I knew anything of what had happened, I could see my friend’s pain, honestly she’s more like family, but I feel that way about many people in my circle.

When I was hurting, or struggling the Lord used her too, to help me through. She encouraged me and comforted me, just as I comforted her on Sunday!

Comfort often is often not found in the words we say, but in just being there, to be that shoulder.

Jesus gives us rest, a deep abiding rest that goes so much deeper than the physical rest we so often think of, and he also uses those around us to remind us that its okay to rest. And it’s okay not to be okay, it doesn’t mean we lack faith, it simply means we are hurting.

Isaiah 28:12-13 NIV

to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”—but they would not listen. [13] So then, the word of the LORD to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there—so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured.

The past couple of weeks have been challenging as we grieve through the loss of a friend, and as I do my best to help another friend navigate something unthinkable, her pain so deep its palpable, but through it all, I am reminded of the strength the Lord has given us, and the people he places along our path, those friends who fast become family, and I am reminded even in aim, his grace is there!

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

February.18.2025