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Have you felt the pressure of life lately? Has it been heavy—so much that you’re not sure what to do next? I think many of us in ministry and pro-life work can relate. Between managing teams, fundraising, marketing, volunteers, and caring for the women who walk through your doors, it can feel like you’re carrying more than you can hold.
That’s why I loved hearing from Lori DeVillez in a recent webinar. Her message about resting in God’s hands was exactly what my heart needed. Lori reminded us that God didn’t call us to carry the entire weight of the mission—He called us to walk in step with Him.
Feeling weary in ministry? Discover encouragement from Lori DeVillez’s message on finding rest in God’s hands. Written by Sandy MacNaughton of iRapture, this uplifting blog offers faith-based inspiration for pregnancy center directors, Christian leaders, and pro-life workers who need a reminder to pause, trust, and let God lead.
“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.”
Lori shared that after two decades leading a pregnancy center in Austin, she reached a point where she had to stop and ask: “Lord, is this still what You want me to do?” Her story about stepping back to care for her parents—and learning that even that was a God-given calling—was such a beautiful reminder that obedience sometimes looks like resting instead of running.
I think we can all relate to that tension. The work we do is important. It saves lives. It changes hearts. But even the best work can become a burden if we try to carry it without Jesus.
Lori described it perfectly when she said, “Jesus doesn’t call us to a life of striving, schedules, and stress. He calls us to a life of soul rest.”
That hit me. As someone who helps pregnancy centers with marketing, I know how easy it is to fill every hour of every day—social media campaigns, new landing pages, donor outreach, strategy calls, and Google Ads—all good things! But the truth is, even ministry work can crowd out quiet time with the One who called us to it.
One of my favorite stories Lori shared was about her dog, Airy. Airy didn’t worry about schedules or stress—she simply lived in the joy of the moment. When Lori prayed about what to teach at a women’s Bible study, God spoke to her heart:
“Tell them to be like Airy.”
How simple—and how profound.
Airy didn’t obsess over tomorrow or stress about what needed to happen next. She was content. She trusted her Master. And that’s exactly how God calls us to live—trusting that He’s already in tomorrow, freeing us to be fully present today.
It reminded me that, in our work—whether we’re meeting with a young woman facing a pregnancy decision, organizing a fundraising dinner, or launching a new campaign—what matters most isn’t how much we do, but how closely we walk with God while doing it.
Lori’s reflection on being “equally yoked” also stood out. When she saw two animals struggling to plow because they weren’t matched, she realized that many of us do the same—we take on things that God never asked us to pull.
When we yoke ourselves to Him, though, the work changes. It’s lighter. It’s joyful. It’s fruitful.
That’s the kind of partnership God desires—not us striving alone, but walking beside Him, letting His strength lead the way.
If you’re a pregnancy center director, a nurse, a volunteer, or a nonprofit leader who’s felt weary lately, maybe it’s time to pause. Breathe. And ask God to refresh you.
Your calling matters—but so does your soul. And the same God who called you to this work is the One who promised, “You will find rest for your souls.”
If Lori’s message encouraged you, I invite you to request her book, God Given, by emailing her directly at [email protected]. It’s a heartfelt reminder that God’s timing and direction are always perfect.
And if you’re looking for ways to end your year strong, don’t miss our new End of Year Giving Blog at iRapture. It’s full of ideas and tools to help pregnancy centers and faith-based nonprofits connect with donors, share gratitude, and finish the year with faith and joy.
Let’s keep walking together—one prayer, one post, one heartbeat at a time—resting in God’s hands and trusting His perfect plan. 💜
With gratitude,
Sandy
Account Director
#LifeMatters #PregnancyCenters #ProLife