Sometimes life feels like a marathon. It runs and runs and runs, and we struggle to catch up. We can't seem to swallow each breath in our lungs as we chase life down. School. Homework. Family. Friends. Extracurricular. Make sure our rooms don't look like zoos. Showers should probably happen. And somehow living with Jesus and resting in Him.

Resting in Jesus. How can we do that when our minds go a thousand thoughts a minute, keeping track of all of the things that we must do? The things things listed above must happen, so how can we rest and find joy at the same time?

But God (notice my two favorite words) reminds us of three things that can change our stress into joy. He somehow penetrates our busy minds to give us hope in Christ and rest in His joy. He shows us a different way to go, a way that leads us to...

1. Pray

If we desire joy, we must ask for it. I don't think that we realize the humility and simplicity of coming to God with all of our hearts, even the desire for rest or extra strength.

"So I [Jesus] say to you: 'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 4:6-7)

2. Release the outcomes

Sometimes (more than sometimes), we just can't do it all. But I know a God who can. God makes the days and plans them out, and we simply need to trust in God's sovereignty even when we feel the world racing around us. God's will (not our will) will prevail, let's put our hope in that.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:26-27)

3. Find joy when working hard

Resting in God doesn't mean that we stop working! Rather, we find joy in our work. We receive a renewed vigor because we know that God is with us, breathing into our souls and shaping our days with care.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart as working for the Lord and not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:11-12)

Emily Freemen in her book Simply Tuesday captures these thoughts beautifully:

"To know that the work will be completed by the Spirit of God and not by my effort means that I can sit down on the inside even as my hands are fast at work. It means I don't have to keep pace with a fast-moving world even as I am engaged in the activity of it." (page 222)

God invites us to come. Right now, in the rush of life, we can come and rest in Him. Pray, release, and work. And there we will find joy.

(This article first appeared on my blog at http://graceineverything.blogspot.com/)