Life can be pretty tiring and stressful. School, homework, exams, peer group pressure, parental pressure, sibling rivalry, family break ups, pressure to perform, pressure to succeed, and the list goes on. A healthy lifestyle can really help. It is good to eat well and exercise and even take multi-vitamins like Swisse (the people who do the 'tired, stressed, you'll feel better' commercials). Not that I ever have, or not that I am getting any sponsorship money from this article.
But sometimes the issues are deeper than this.
Sometimes our tiredness is more than a lack of sleep. Sometimes our stresses are caused by more than just an upcoming exam. What do you do then? Where do you turn?
It seems to me, we all have moments in life when we are troubled by the BIG QUESTIONS in life. Questions like, “Why am I here?” What’s the point of it all?” Why should I go on living anyway?” “Does anyone really understand me?’ Does anyone really love me?” “Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?” “Is there any meaning or purpose in life”.
If you have ever asked any of these questions you know that answer must be more than just eat better or exercise more. Check out what Jesus says to you who are tired in Matthew 11:28-30:
“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.”
Jesus is saying you need to come to Him in humble submission, giving your life to Jesus as your King and Saviour. This means entrusting your life to Jesus and your death to Him too. This means learning from Jesus how to live life the way you were designed to live it, God’s way! If you haven’t done this yet, why not do it now?
And Jesus makes a great offer to those who are stressed too:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
Jesus doesn’t want you to carry your stresses and anxieties by yourself. Jesus wants you to bring them to him in prayer. And as you give Jesus your stresses, He will give you his peace. Why not give it a try right now? Whatever it is that is bothering you now, pray about it now and see what happens.
Tired? Stressed? You’ll feel better with Jesus.