Managing Stress | Week 10
MANAGING STRESS
Week’s Passage: Mathew 11:25-30
InTro
Too much Pressure!
Stress is a common part of modern life, often leading to emotional and physical issues. While some stress, like eustress, can promote growth, all stress is an opportunity to find rest in Christ. Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to Him for peace (Matt. 11:28). This week, we’ll explore practical ways to manage stress and trust in God’s care.
InGest
Finding Rest in Christ
Matthew 11:28–30 invites us to find rest in Christ by trusting Him with our burdens and seeking His guidance. This rest is spiritual, emotional, and physical, including peace during trials and rest through sleep and the Sabbath. To “yoke up” with Jesus is to learn from Him, drawing strength through prayer and Scripture. Jesus offers rest to all who seek Him, bringing peace even in life’s hardest moments.
InTerpret
Yoking up with Christ
Jesus used the illustration of a yoke, referring to a wooden tool that joins two animals to share a heavy load. While a yoke suggests work, being yoked with Christ offers relief, as it binds us to Him and lightens our burdens. Accepting Christ’s yoke means yielding to Him, obeying His gospel, and walking in His direction. While it requires sacrifice and discipline, the reward is eternal. Unlike the world’s way, which ultimately leads to disappointment, Christ’s way, though challenging, brings lasting peace and great reward.
inVite
Practical steps
To manage overwhelming schedules and find rest in Christ, we need to evaluate our priorities, set boundaries, and pace ourselves. Spending time in prayer, meditation, and memorizing Scripture helps improve focus and brings peace. A to-do list can help prioritize tasks, identify what can wait, and say “no” to things that don’t align with our values. Before committing to tasks, consider if they fit your goals and schedule. Delegating responsibilities and sharing the load with others can ease the burden. With God’s guidance, we can prioritize what truly matters and accomplish our tasks.
inSight
Complete Union with Christ
Wearing Christ’s yoke means partnering with Him in His mission, sharing in His sufferings and work for humanity. It brings us close to Christ, with Him bearing the heaviest part of the load. While His yoke involves obedience and self-sacrifice, it also brings peace and lightens our burdens, as He has made provision for them. Christ’s yoke unites us with Him, teaching us to deny selfish desires and follow His example of love and tenderness. By submitting to His yoke, we find rest for our souls and peace in doing God’s will, even when it contrasts with our own plans.
inQuire
•For the person who’s rushing through life stressed to the max, how is finding rest in Christ even possible?
•What kinds of yokes does God want to set us free from? Provide examples.
What does wearing the yoke of Christ mean?
•How do we yoke up with Jesus Christ? What steps can we take?
•When it comes to finding rest in Jesus, what makes it difficult for you to go to Him?
