When You’re Carrying Too Much: The Power of Spiritual Rest

Spiritual Rest Isn’t Laziness—It’s Obedience

August often feels like a tug-of-war between summer’s end and the next season’s demands. Back-to-school checklists grow longer. Church calendars begin to fill. Work ramps up again after the summer breaks. And in the middle of it all, our souls get buried under the weight of doing. That’s why we need to talk about spiritual rest.

REST—Release Everything, Surrender Totally—isn’t about inactivity. It’s about trust. True rest happens when we let go of control and give God access to the parts of our lives we’re still clenching in our fists. When we practice spiritual rest, we create space for God to move, speak, and restore.

The Backpack That Broke Me

Years ago, I volunteered for a local day camp. I had planned, prepped, and organized everything I could think of. But on day one, disaster struck. Supplies went missing, kids were emotional, and I felt like I was failing. By lunchtime, my shoulders ached—literally and figuratively.

That afternoon, I slumped on a bench with my overloaded leader backpack still strapped on. A kind co-leader gently said, “You can take it off, you know.”

I looked down and realized I’d worn it all day without a break. Not just the bag, but the pressure to make everything perfect.

That moment became a spiritual metaphor for me. I was carrying things God never asked me to hold. He was inviting me into spiritual rest, but I was too busy performing to notice.

Spiritual Rest Means Releasing the Weight

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28–30:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Spiritual rest doesn’t come from a weekend off. It comes from laying down our internal burdens—expectations, anxiety, fear—and taking on His grace instead. When we release everything and surrender totally, we don’t lose control. We find peace.

One way to truly rest is to journal your thoughts. Oftentimes, writing down what bothers us the most lets us release it. A good journal includes prompts to help you process what you’re carrying, what you need to release, and how to realign your schedule with God’s peace.

Let Rest Redefine Your Rhythm

Spiritual rest changes how you move through your day. You:

• Pause before reacting
• Pray instead of worrying
• Listen instead of rushing
• Choose grace over performance

As this new season unfolds, don’t forget to check your heart as often as you check your calendar. Ask, “Am I resting in God, or just running for Him?”

Lay It Down, Let Him Lead

If you feel worn out, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay there. Spiritual rest is available to those willing to stop striving and start trusting. You were never meant to carry it all.

So take off the backpack. Sit with Jesus. Breathe deep. And remember that true rest isn’t found in your schedule—it’s found in surrender.