The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23 NIV
I sit on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the dresser—no, through the dresser. My eyes are glazed over; I’m not really looking at anything. My shoulders sag, and my whole body feels as though I’m a wilting plant in need of sun and water.
I’m exhausted.
I’ve been saying yes to all the things that I can’t say no to — family obligations, mommy duties, household upkeep, and work deadlines. And then there are the yeses I say for my own well-being — therapy, life-giving friendships, time alone, church, mentoring. Throw in a celebration for someone’s birthday, a coffee date with a friend I haven’t seen in a while, or a visiting family member, and the calendar seems to explode at the seams, with no wiggle room even to breathe.
And running in the back of my mind is the low-humming anxiety that I’ll drop the ball somewhere and won’t realize it until it’s too late. I can almost sense failure lurking around the corner, waiting for that ball to drop.
I close my eyes and take some deep breaths. The slow, deliberate breathing wills my body and mind to settle down. I want to curl up like a baby and be carried away to somewhere quiet so I can rest, and closing my eyes, I imagine God doing this for me. I don’t have to hold or control everything so tightly when I’m held in His arms. I can relax. I can truly rest.
I lie on my bed, where I hold my palms open to my sides and close my eyes again. By habit, these verses come to mind — the words embedded into the deepest parts of me since my childhood days of memorizing Bible verses for Sunday school: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul” (Ps. 23:2–3).
Imagining the water, the green, it feels like the space I’m in expands. I don’t have to be controlled by my to-do list. I don’t have to do all the things or meet with all the people, even if all those things would have been good or beneficial for me.
I still need to do the things I need to do, but I look at the calendar with fresh eyes. I cancel meetings where I can. I choose only the absolutely necessary things to get done for the week. I talk with my husband about all the responsibilities I carry, and we hash out how we can better share the mental and physical loads.
In small but decisive ways, I simplify my life. And more than that, I find rest for my soul in the sliver of the day where I pause to breathe, to imagine, and to say yes to God’s invitation to come and receive His rest.
Devotion by Grace P. Cho as published in Courageous Simplicity: Abide in the Simple Abundance of Jesus
By trusting the Good Shepherd, we can experience the radical simplicity of peace, contentment, and courage. As the apostle Peter encourages us, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Pet. 5:7 NLT). Get a free week and learn more about the Courageous Simplicity Bible study!
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Thank you, Grace! I needed this today.
Thank you. I so appreciate the uplifting and encouraging word for today. I needed it.
I appreciate this word picture. I appreciate that it only takes a sliver of our day but a sliver is enough to connect us to the unlimited God and let him refresh our soul.
Thank you. My doctor says I have had a migraine that has taken me completely down caused by exhaustion and stress. Thank you. I needed to read this.
Thank you, dear one, for your wise and heartfelt worlds. I felt myself calming as I read this devotion today. I am weary today, and need to rest in those green meadows.
Even God rested on the seventh day! I truly don’t think God wants us to run our self ragged to do all and be all! I have learned to say no, i have learned a short nap helps me when I’m overwhelmed, i read somewhere, it’s good to spend at least 30 minutes every day reading the Bible and praying, except when your really busy! Those days spend an hour or longer with Him! Praise God, and get some rest!
A much needed “now word” for women. Like most women I have always taken on too much and found myself completely worn out. One day the Lord asked me how I was feeling. “Driven” I answered. He replied, ” I don’t drive the sheep, I lead them.” His response has been a great help to me since. Though I am still tempted at times to take on too much I am reminded of the wisdom He shared with me on that day and have learned to say “no” to every request asked of me that is not from Him. He prefers our presence and worship over our sacrifice of good works. This is seen through the story of Mary and Martha. Though Jesus appreciates the things we do for Him, He far more prefers the time we spend with Him.
Grace,
Women tend to take on way to many chores. We think we have to do it all. Then we get frazzled. Lysa Terkeurst said it best in her book Your Best Yes “saying yes to everyone & everything won’t make you wonder woman. It will make you a worn out woman with nothing left to give.” My new job has me working more hours than my husband. I’ve asked him to help a little with the chores. Do some laundry, bring in garbage can, etc. It helps lighten the load on my shoulders.
Psalm 23 is one of my favorite verses. It speaks of God giving us everything we need & making us rest. Jesus commanded Sabbath rest. He knew we would need it. Now more so in our frantic, hectic go, go, go world. Our souls need time to refill on God’s word & His greatness.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you Grace! Psalm 23 is one of my favorites! I repeat it out loud almost every night before I go to sleep. I try and visualize myself with my Good Shepherd, lying down in the lush green pasture. I find so much peace. Many nights I fall asleep before I finish! What a beautiful Savior!