A snowstorm impacted Denver last week. Because this past winter offered little precipitation, I felt grateful for the storm. Spring snow in Denver is tricky though. Snow in the spring often contains a lot of moisture, so the snow is heavy and dense. The snow began to fall and we eagerly watched it descend from the clouds above. Trees, bushes, and our roof began to accumulate the water-packed snow.
Gary shook the trees every few hours to keep them from becoming heavy-laden with the snow. Before bed, Gary jigged the trees one last time. We hoped all would be well in the morning. Unfortunately, when we opened the curtain in the morning, one of the trees in the back completed folded into itself. We felt concern. Gary went outside to shake the heavy snow from the tree’s limbs. Unfortunately, the main trunk split in two. The heaviness of the snow created too much pressure upon the tree and its branches.
Snap – To break or cause to break suddenly and completely.
The next day, I witnessed our tree snapped apart by the heaviness of the snow and noted several trees in the neighborhood also broken by the weight of the snow. The Lord brought to my mind His words recorded in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The branches on our tree were heavy laden with snow and this caused the branch to snap. What about the moments in life when we feel heavy laden? What happens when we experience situations that burden us? We might feel weighed down by religious pressures, interpersonal discord, physical ailments, time constraints, compassion fatigue, employment upheaval, financial distress, and nations at war. These and so much more seem like a spring snow storm of wet dense snow upon our souls. Life is hard.
Yet Jesus draws us to Himself. He invites us to come close when we are on the edge of snapping. In Jesus, our burdened souls experience rest. This rest does not necessarily equate to freedom of hardship, but it does equate to companionship through the hardship. Jesus remains with us in all of life, but He really seems to want us to remember His presence through the challenges of life. He welcomes us with tenderness, kindness, and compassion. He meets us where we are, in the state we are, with love, not condemnation, accusation, or judgement.
Jesus offers a way through those weary and stressful times of life. Jesus presents a path that entails rest and relief for the soul on the brink of snapping. How do we rest in Jesus when life is laborious and difficult? What can we do when we notice ourselves on the edge?
We embrace a mindset shift. I recently learned that what we think about with our minds, shapes the physical nature of the brain, which impacts the body (W. Lee Warren, MD). Scripture points to this reality with verses like Philippians 4:4-9, Romans 12:2, Romans 8:6, and Ephesians 3:14-19. Science proves it through medical research and study.
Those things that burden us, do not burden Jesus. Jesus invites us to live in His love. As we shift our thoughts from life issues that weigh us down to thoughts of belief and trust in God, our faith grows and our bodies experience relief. His peace flows from the mind, to the brain, to the body. We begin to live out the hope of God.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
When we feel as though we might snap due to the burdens of daily life in this world, Jesus offers a remedy for rest — Himself. Let the love of God pour into your heart by the Holy Spirit. In His presence, those things which cause heavy laden living become lighter. He shakes the proverbial snow off of our branches. Jesus designed us to rest in His attentive care. He invites us to bond with Himself, freeing us from the weights which He so easily carries.
So, experiment with me this week. Notice what you think about. Then, wonder with God; Do those thoughts contribute to rest in Him or over-responsibility and anxiety? Respond to the invitation of Jesus to meet and care for us in the hard spaces of life. Direct your thinking to that which is life-giving (John 10:10). You don’t have to snap, you can rest in Jesus Christ.
This week – – –
Reflect. Meditate on Philippians 4:8-9: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Write these verses on a 3×5 card to carry with you this week. Read it at stop lights, while preparing meals, when waiting for appointments, upon waking, and when going to bed. At the end of the week notice how God’s word has shaped your thinking and impacted your body.
Request. Live in gratitude. Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Ask God to reframe your perspective and attitude towards the difficulties of life. Give thanks for His presence, power, and peace in the hard things.
Receive. Engage simple prayer with the heavy situations in your life. God, I release _______. God, I receive your peace. Jesus, I surrender ______. God, I receive your grace. Holy Spirit, I let go of _______. Holy Spirit, I rest in your love. Amen.
Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Romans 8:6 – For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Ephesians 3:14-18 – “…I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
W. Lee Warren, MD. The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life. Carol Stream, IL. 2026.
Cyd Holsclaw, Geoff Holsclaw PhD. Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection. Carol Stream, IL. 2025.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Attaching to God Podcast. 145 The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery (with Dr. Lee Warren). Click here to watch & listen.
Bethel Music. When I Think About The Lord / He Has Done Great Things. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
May 18-22 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
May 30-June 13 – Quarryville, PA – Black Rock Retreat, Summer Camp Staff Training
June 7 – Quarryville, PA – Black Rock Retreat, Meet and Steep with Jenni Women’s Event – click here for more details
July 6-10 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
July 13-21 – Kigali, Rwanda – Soul Care Retreat and Training,
🙏 If you would like to partner with me through financial giving, click here to give a tax-deductible gift to The Soulcare Anchoress Fund. Thank you! 🌷