“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 11:29-30 (NIV)
When you’re running on empty and carrying a heavy load, the first solution Jesus offers you is this: “Come to me . . . and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 (NIV). That’s the starting point for anyone who needs relief from worry, fear, and anxiety: Come to Jesus!
Here’s the second solution: Give up control.
This is so important because one reason you get overloaded is you’re trying to control too much. You think it all depends on you. Maybe your motto is, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”
Friend, you are not the general manager of the universe. You can resign, and it won’t fall apart. Know this: The greater your need to control, the more stress you’re going to have in life.
But Jesus offers a different way. He says, “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 11:29-30 (NIV).
You say, “Wait a minute. Take on something else? I can’t take on more. I need to carry less!”
That’s why it’s important to understand how a yoke works. A yoke is a wooden piece that teams up two animals, allowing them to share the load and make it lighter. The purpose is to make it easier on the animals, not harder.
A yoke is a symbol of partnership. It’s as if Jesus is saying, “I never meant for you to carry all your problems by yourself. Let me help you.” When you yoke up to Jesus, it’s not so you can share his load. It’s so he can share yours.
A yoke is also a symbol of control. Farmers yoke up animals so that they go in the same direction, at the same time, and at the same pace. When you’re not yoked to Jesus, you get into trouble. You end up going too fast, in the wrong direction, sidelined, or in a ditch. Yoked to Jesus, he keeps you from trouble.
Jesus knows exactly where to take you in life because he created you. He knows exactly the pace you should go because he shaped you. He knows your personality. He knows what you can handle and what you can’t handle. Yoked to Jesus, he guides you.
We think the antidote to stress is to escape on vacation, attend a seminar, or go to therapy. Those things can certainly help, but true and lasting relief come when we yoke up to Jesus and give up control. And every time we do, God gives us peace.
Talk it Over
Why do you think giving up control in the face of stressful circumstances is so countercultural?
Have you ever yoked yourself to Jesus? If so, did you experience a lightening of your stress? If you never have, why not?
What daily practice can you begin to try and stay yoked to Jesus?
Have you given up control and given your life to Christ?
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, why not do it now? Pray this prayer to let God know you want to follow Jesus:
“Dear God, I confess my sin has separated me from you, and I can’t fix that on my own. But I’ve learned you love me so much that you sent Jesus to pay for my sins. You’ve said he came to seek and save the lost, and that includes me. I don’t want to live apart from you anymore. I don’t want to try to be in control of my life any longer. I’m so grateful for your grace, for loving me even when I don’t deserve it. I want a relationship with you.
“So right now, I put my trust in Jesus. I accept him as my Lord and Savior, and I believe your promise that through him, I have eternal life. Please guide me, change me, and help me follow Jesus every day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
