Hands gently releasing a heavy stone into a calm river at sunset, symbolizing the act of letting go of burdens and finding peace. — Let go and find peace in surrender—rest your burdens in Him

Grief Leads to Dependence on God – Finding Strength in Surrender

Grief is one of life’s heaviest burdens. This blog is about finding strength in surrender. It weighs us down emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT), Jesus gives us an invitation filled with hope:
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

In this passage, Jesus speaks directly to the weary and burdened, inviting us to find rest and strength in Him. Grief can feel like an overwhelming weight, but through surrender, we can find the peace and rest that Jesus promises. The “yoke” that Jesus offers isn’t meant to add to our load but to lighten it. When we choose to walk in step with Him, He carries the weight of our sorrow.

Heavy chains breaking apart mid-air with a burst of radiant light, symbolizing freedom and hope through faith. — Breaking free from burdens—find strength in surrender and freedom through faith.

My Struggle with Finding Strength in Surrender

When Wendy passed, I thought the weight of grief couldn’t get any heavier. Yet, as the nights stretched into months, a different kind of heaviness began to overtake me—my dreams. Almost every night, I dreamed of Wendy, but instead of comforting memories, I would see her leaving me, over and over again. Sometimes it was for another man, sometimes for a better life.

I know Wendy would never have done that to me in life. Throughout our 32 years of marriage, we shared a deep and unwavering love. But the dreams were vivid and relentless. These same dreams had occasionally haunted me during our marriage, but now, in the midst of grief, they intensified.

One night, after tossing and turning for hours, I finally broke. I cried out the same prayer Peter did when he began to sink beneath the waves: “Help me!” In that moment of raw desperation, I felt Jesus gently remind me of His words in Matthew 11:28-30.

Over time, the dreams subsided. I realized these dreams were not from God but were Satan’s attempt to discourage me and pull me away from trusting in Christ. Through prayer and surrender, I found relief. Jesus didn’t remove my grief, but He taught me to give my burden to Him, to rest in His yoke, and to trust that He was walking beside me.

A wooden yoke resting on a rustic table, with sunlight streaming through a nearby window, symbolizing shared burdens and finding rest through faith. — Take my yoke upon you—find rest and strength through Christ’s promise.

Understanding the “Yoke” of Jesus

A yoke, traditionally used to link two oxen together, symbolizes partnership and shared effort. In Matthew 11, Jesus isn’t offering to take away our burdens completely but to share them with us. When we carry grief alone, it becomes unbearable. But when we are yoked to Jesus, He provides the strength we need to keep going.

Satan thrives on isolation, convincing us to bear our burdens alone. But Jesus calls us to a different path. His yoke is easy, not because life is free of challenges, but because we no longer have to face them alone. Grief becomes lighter when we walk in step with Him, trusting Him to lead us through the storm.

A hand reaching out from turbulent waters, grasped firmly by another hand reaching down to rescue, with stormy waves and a faint ray of light breaking through the dark sky. — “Rescued in the storm—faith reaches out, and God’s hand is always there.

Practical Tips for Passing Your Heavy Burdens to Jesus

Here are some practical ways to surrender your burdens and find rest in Christ:

Cry Out to Him in Prayer
- Just as I cried out “Help me!” in my darkest moment, you can pour out your heart to Jesus. He listens and understands.
Meditate on Scripture
- Reflect on verses like Matthew 11:28-30 and Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Seek Community Support
- Don’t walk through grief alone. God often uses others to carry His love and comfort to us.
Write Down Your Burdens
- Make a list of the specific burdens you are carrying and symbolically release them by praying over them and giving them to God.
Focus on Gratitude
- Thank God for the moments of light and comfort He provides, even in the midst of grief. Gratitude shifts our focus to His faithfulness.
Create Quiet Moments with God
- Spend time in His presence, whether through prayer, worship, or simply sitting in silence, allowing Him to bring peace to your soul.

Finding Strength in Surrender

The journey of grief has taught me that surrendering to God doesn’t mean the pain disappears, but it does mean I’m not walking through it alone. Jesus invites all of us to take His yoke and find rest. When we trust Him with our burdens, He carries the weight we cannot bear.

If you’re struggling today, remember His promise: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” That promise is for you.