READ: EXODUS 14:14; PSALMS 23:1-3; 127:2; MATTHEW 11:25-30

Are you, like me, constantly asking God to move and work and make your life different? There are things I’ve prayed about over and over again, asking God to step in and bring about change. I’ve begged Him to make things better. As I pray to Him, I feel anxious. I want to see something happen.

I try to fix things. I ask God to fix things. I work hard to heal. I ask God to heal me. I feel like something has to be constantly happening, constantly changing. I want to be made better. I want my life to improve.

I was praying for change the other day, and suddenly it hit me. What if instead of asking for change, I just rest in the hands of the One who holds this world? What if instead of asking for healing, I just rest in the hands of the One who has the power to heal? What if I let things be as they are and I simply take time to rest, trusting the hands of the powerful One to protect me?

Yes, there are times when action is required. But there are also times when we need a break, and we can simply be still in the hands of God and let Him look out for us. • Emily Acker

• Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that you are forever held in His love and your eternal future is secure. So, even if the things you’ve been asking God for don’t come to fruition, you can still have confident hope that He is with you and He is working in your life (Philippians 1:6; 4:6-7, 12-13). If you want to know more about trusting Jesus, see our “Know Jesus” page.

• While God certainly does invite us to ask Him for the things we need and want, He also beckons us to simply come to Him and find rest in His presence. How might it befreeing to take a break from asking God for things? Have you ever felt the peace that comes from simply resting in Him and knowing that He will take care of everything and that you will be okay? Consider taking a moment now to come to Him in prayer, not asking for anything, but just resting in Him.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I [Jesus] will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (WEB)