When was the last time you slowed down and made yourself a priority?
I don’t mean taking a quick nap or watching a show to distract your mind. I mean really stepping away from the pressure, the schedule, the noise, and giving yourself space to be real. To breathe. To stop pretending you’re fine when you’re not, and just rest, even if just for a moment.
This world keeps us moving nonstop. We’ve been taught that busy means we’re on the right track. But sometimes, busy doesn’t mean blessed; it just means overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by expectations, pressure, anxiety, and the fear that if we stop even for a moment, everything might fall apart.
Let me ask you something real. What have you been holding onto lately?
Because today, I saw a video that really made me think. A teacher stood before his class holding a glass of water. He asked, “How heavy do you think this is?” People threw out numbers, 8 ounces, 12, 16. The teacher nodded and said, “It’s not about the weight. It’s about how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, nothing happens. If I hold it for an hour, my arm will begin to ache. If I hold it all day, my arm goes numb, even paralyzed. The weight of the glass hasn’t changed, but the longer I hold onto it, the heavier it becomes.”
The teacher’s point with the glass of water stayed with me: stress, worry, and all that emotional pressure work the same way. The longer you hold onto them, the heavier they feel. So here’s the thing; put the glass down.
Maybe you’ve been holding on too long; holding on to pain you can’t quite explain, fears you’re scared to admit, or burdens that were never yours to carry in the first place.
Maybe you’re caught up in a situation you can’t control. Or a relationship that just drains you. Maybe you’re holding onto unforgiveness toward someone who hurt you. Or maybe you’re just tired of pretending to be strong when no one knows how much you’re really struggling.
But here’s what I want you to remember: God never asked you to carry that burden. In fact, He tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Not just some of it. Not only the parts you feel ready to let go of. All of it.
Even Martha, who loved Jesus deeply; got caught up in doing. She wanted to serve, but she got so overwhelmed, she started comparing herself to her sister and got frustrated. And in her stress, she tried to get Jesus to agree with her frustration. But He looked at her and said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary”(Luke 10:41–42). He wasn’t criticizing her, He was inviting her back to what mattered most: Him.
And then there’s Gideon. He was hiding when God called him a mighty warrior. His response? “My family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15) But God wasn’t focused on Gideon’s fears or limitations. He was focused on His purpose. And even when Gideon doubted, God stayed with him; patient, present, and faithful.
So listen closely: Jesus isn’t asking you to have everything figured out. He’s asking you to trust Him. To stop pretending you’re okay when you’re not. To stop carrying what’s wearing you down. And to let Him in, right where you are.
Maybe your heart is whispering, “But I’ve carried this for so long…”
And He’s whispering back, “Then let Me carry you.”
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
That promise isn’t for people who have it all together. It’s for the ones who feel like they’re drowning silently. The ones who smile on the outside but are breaking inside. The ones who feel like they have to be the strong one, always.
It’s for you.
And if nobody else has told you today, let me be the one to say it:
You are not alone. You never were.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
That love doesn’t just cover you, it frees you.
So if the glass is getting heavy, don’t ignore it. Don’t fake it. And don’t carry what Jesus already died to take. Put it down, not because you’re giving up, but because you’re giving it to Him.
Pray With Me:
God, I’ve been carrying stuff You never asked me to carry. The stress, the fear, the pressure to hold it all together; it’s too much. And honestly, I’m tired. So today, I’m handing it over to You. All of it. I don’t want to pretend I’m good when I’m not. I need Your peace. I need Your strength. Remind me that I don’t have to do this on my own. Thank You for being patient with me. Thank You for staying close. I trust You. Help me rest in that.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
And before you go… If this spoke to you, share it with someone. You never know who’s quietly struggling.
And whatever you’re going through, remember this:
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
You’re not alone. You don’t have to hold it all together by yourself anymore. Lean on Him.
