Charles Spurgeon said, “Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.”

I am a multi-tasker. Being a wife, having three children, a career, and being a homemaker all at once can sometimes seem overwhelming, but I have learned how to multitask well! I live life on the go… going from one activity to the next. The positive side to that is that I am never bored, but the downside is that I start to feel a sense of burnout if I am not careful. I have learned that taking a moment to rest is essential if I want to be productive. That moment of rest might be a 10 min breather while the kids are doing an activity, or maybe an hour at night when I can read without interruptions. Whenever that moment of rest comes, the first thing I do is talk to God. I have found that when I talk to God about how my day is going or things that are on my mind, He gives me peace and a true sense of rest, even in the middle of a crazy day. I imagine myself drinking some iced tea with Jesus, just touching base, and laughing over silly things. It has helped my relationship with Jesus grow, as I come to him to find rest.

We are all in different stages of life and our days include a wide variety of stressors regardless of our job or responsibilities. The important thing to remember is that we don’t have to carry those burdens alone. When you start feeling physically tired, or mentally/emotionally exhausted, take a moment to go to Jesus. He wants to take the weight we are carrying and give us rest. Only then can our strength be renewed, and we will be ready to continue moving forward triumphantly.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for being my best friend and always being available for me. Help me to rely on you more than on myself, knowing that you are the source of my strength. Whenever I feel stressed or exhausted, remind me to find rest in you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Matthew 11:28 (NIV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.