“I can’t take this anymore!” I yelled to no one in particular, lying in a heap on my bedroom floor. I caught my breath as I looked around at the mess I had just made, my clothes and bedding strewn around as if a tornado had come through, leaving destruction in its wake.

What set off this temper tantrum, you may ask? I couldn’t find my phone card. I had thirty minutes to make a call and I spent all thirty of them looking for my phone card.

I promise I’m not usually this unhinged. You see, Mission: Phone Card was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.” The pressure in my life had been building for weeks and I had finally reached my boiling point.

I was trying to be everything to everyone: the perfect daughter, roommate, student and friend. I wanted to have all my ducks in a row: to foster meaningful relationships, manage money I didn’t have, overcome my fears and taste the success for which I had always dreamed. And I wanted to master each part of my life and make it look effortless. But these things quickly became too great of a burden to bear.

I realized that I was burying all my real feelings of anxiety, fear, loneliness and insecurity to try and create a life that could showcase some perceived value to those around me. I wanted to prove to God and to the world that I had everything under control. But I couldn’t keep up the charade any longer—I wasn’t a robot! I was tired, I was overwhelmed and I needed help.

Have you been there before?

If life is wearing you down and you feel desperate for rest, I encourage you to open your Bible today and meditate on these four Bible verses:

1. Lord, sustain me when I feel weak.
   Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall. - Psalm 55:22, CEV
2. Lord, help me in my time of need.
   I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. - Isaiah 41:13, CEV
3. Lord, I know you care for me at all times.
   Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7, GNTD
4. Lord, give me rest.
   “If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28, CEV