“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”  Matthew 11: 28 (NIV)

Do you feel worn out, run down, or sucked dry? Have you been burning the candle at both ends? Are you rattled, ragged, reactionary, or in need of repair? Has busyness backed you into a corner? Are you buckling under the burden? In short, have you exhausted life because life’s exhausted you?

Jesus says, “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).

If you are weary and burdened consider these steps to recovery:

Come: Self help books say “Do.” Jesus says, “Come to me.” Come, and let Jesus make level paths for your feet (cf. Jeremiah 31:9). Come, and let Jesus fill your cup to overflowing (cf. Psalm 23:5). Come, and let Jesus give you strength. If you don’t come, He can’t help you. And you must come by faith. Surrender and obedience are prerequisites. Bring your baggage and lay it at His feet. Offload your cares and concerns. Stop trying to go it alone. Come, for a burden shared is a burden halved.

Take: Psychiatrists and psychologists say “Pay.” Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you.” To “take my yoke” means “become my disciple.” In order to take, you have to submit. He must become greater; you must become less (cf. John 3:30).

Learn: More often than not, when we’re weary we try to deal with it by drinking coffee, swallowing pills, eating chocolate, or sleeping. Jesus says, “Learn from me.” There are band aids for weariness but only one sure cure. To break the cycle of weariness you need a process. When we learn more about Him we discover the peace that passes all understanding, the love that endures, the courage to press on, a certain hope, and a victory that’s secure.

So come, take, and learn, and in so doing, “find rest for your soul.”