The Golden Nugget: Don’t get lost in life’s maze. Jesus offers the way.

Weekly Verse: “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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28–30

Weekly Message: 
Life can be exhausting. The demands of being a single working parent are innumerable. Many students preparing for standardized tests are stressed to the point of despair. Your company pressures you to sacrifice even more time for the bottom line over your family’s needs. Even good and noble things create pressure. You want to send your child to summer camp, but you can’t afford it unless you put in more hours. Your spouse would like to work less but college tuition won’t let that happen any time soon. The Joneses next door just put in a pool. Your aging parents need assisted living, but have you seen the cost? 

Life’s rules, regulations, stresses, demands, and pressures can be draining. They weigh you down. How can you navigate through them and keep your mental and physical health? Will you be able to hold up?

Jesus offers to do something extraordinary. He wants to take on your burden. He desires to be yoked with you, to carry your load and free you from the oppressiveness and joylessness that stress creates. You no longer have to do this alone. Jesus offers his yoke for two—for you and him.

Consider This:

• What is keeping you from asking for help with everything “on your plate”?
• How would your family or friends describe you when you reach your maximum point of stress?

Take Action:
Set your alarm to get up fifteen minutes earlier, or stay awake fifteen minutes later. Find a quiet place with no one else around and ask God to help you with each task you have.