S12.03 | Burned Out for God? What Matthew 11:28-29 Really Means About Taking Jesus’ Yoke
What happens when you’re doing “God’s work” - but you feel completely burned out?
In this episode of Affirming Truths, Carla shares why she is stepping into a 5-week sabbatical and what God has been revealing about identity, striving, and control. Reflecting on Matthew 11:28–29, she unpacks what it truly means to “take Jesus’ yoke” - not as a poetic phrase, but as a practical invitation.
If you’ve been hustling for your worth, overworking to prove yourself, or quietly exhausted from trying to carry life in your own strength, this episode will gently challenge and encourage you.
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3 key takeaways
1️⃣ Burnout Can Reveal Where Your Identity Is Rooted
When we build in our own strength, we must sustain in our own strength — and that is exhausting. If your worth is tied to productivity, usefulness, or performance, burnout is often the outcome.
2️⃣ Taking Jesus’ Yoke Means Letting Him Set the Pace
In Matthew 11:28–29, Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor. A stronger, experienced ox would carry more weight and set direction. We are not meant to be the stronger ox. We are meant to walk beside Him — trusting His timing, pace, and leadership.
3️⃣ Surrendering Control Is the Path to Rest
Many of us create our plans and ask God to bless them. But true rest comes when we ask, “Lord, what are You building?” What God builds, He sustains. His direction is sure, and His burden is light.
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Resources:
5 Steps to Building Resiliency
Affirming Truths Facebook Community
5 Tips for Overcoming a Negative Body Image
Who You Say I Am Biblical Affirmation Cards
Quick recap
Carla announced she is taking a 5-week sabbatical due to feeling burned out from her work, which she attributes to trying to build things in her own strength rather than trusting God's guidance. She shared that while she will continue running Rooted Sisterhood and maintaining some client work, she will not be marketing herself or releasing new podcast episodes on a regular schedule. Through her Bible study in Matthew, Carla learned about Jesus' teaching on taking his yoke, which metaphorically represents following his guidance and pace rather than trying to lead oneself. She emphasized three key aspects of taking God's yoke: letting Jesus set the pace, learning from his character of gentleness and humility, and walking beside him rather than carrying life alone. Carla encouraged listeners to reflect on their own areas of burnout and exhaustion, inviting them to consider trusting God more fully in their lives.
Summary
Carla's Sabbatical and Podcast Change
Carla announced that she is taking a 5-week sabbatical due to feeling burdened and burnt out, despite her calling. She had planned to release her podcast, Affirming Truth Listen, on Mondays at 7am, but God has changed her plans. Carla expressed that this was not due to hard times or doubts, but rather a different kind of pressure she was experiencing.
Reevaluating Identity and Rest
Carla discussed her experience with burnout and fatigue, reflecting on how her work had become intertwined with her identity and sense of self-worth. She shared that God had challenged her to consider who she is outside of her usefulness, prompting her to reevaluate her priorities and the source of her peace and rest.
Taking a Sabbatical for Health
Carla discussed her health challenges and the emotional burden of proving her worth due to physical limitations. She shared a meaningful insight from a podcast about building things in one's own strength versus what God builds, which led her to realize she had been exhausting herself over the past year and a half. As a result, she decided to take a sabbatical from performance, during which she will continue working with her one-on-one clients and maintain existing commitments, but will not take on new work or actively market herself.
Finding Rest in Jesus' Yoke
Carla shared her reflections from a Bible study on Matthew 11:28-29, where Jesus promises rest to those who take his yoke. She explored the meaning of the yoke, an agricultural metaphor, and sought to understand how Jesus' teachings could provide relief from weariness and burnout.
Yoke as Metaphor for Discipleship
Carla explained the historical use of a yoke as a wooden beam used to guide and share the workload between oxen, with the stronger ox setting the pace and teaching the younger one. She then drew a metaphorical connection to Jesus' invitation to "take my yoke," which represents following his teachings and way of life, contrasting with the heavy burden of rules imposed by religious leaders like the Pharisees.
Finding Rest in Jesus' Pace
Carla shared three insights from her sabbatical about reducing burdens and finding rest in Jesus. She emphasized trusting Jesus to set the pace rather than hustling for worth, learning from his character of gentleness and humility instead of self-criticism, and walking beside him rather than carrying life alone. Carla concluded that Jesus is the stronger ox who provides strength and guidance, encouraging others to stay close and follow his lead.
Trusting God's Podcast Schedule
Carla discussed her decision to take a 5-week break from her usual podcast schedule, during which she will be led by the Holy Spirit to release episodes. She emphasized the importance of trusting God to set the pace and direction, rather than trying to control everything herself. Carla encouraged her listeners to reflect on areas where they may have been trying to run things in their own strength, and invited them to join her in surrendering control to God. She also mentioned that she would be sharing more content during these 5 weeks, with no set schedule.