Episode 74 - The Unforced Rhythms of Grace: Trading Striving for Soul Rest with Debbie Dufek

Date: May 9, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Debbie Dufek

 

Episode Highlights:
In this peaceful and uplifting episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek takes a reflective journey into the comforting invitation of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message). This passage calls us to release the weight of exhaustion, burnout, and pressure and instead discover the “unforced rhythms of grace.”

Debbie invites listeners to step away from the constant striving for perfection and lean into the gentle, sustaining grace that Jesus offers. She shares personal insights, practical steps, and spiritual reflections to help you find rest and refreshment, even in the busiest seasons of life. With heartfelt encouragement, Debbie explores the power of slowing down, being present, and living in a place of deep spiritual peace.

Key Takeaways:

• The beauty of walking in step with Jesus, not rushing ahead or lagging behind

• How to release the burdens we were never meant to carry

• Practical rhythms for soul rest, including morning stillness, midday prayer, and evening gratitude

• How to find the gentle, steady pace of grace in a world that pushes us to perform

Reflection Questions:

• What burdens am I carrying that Jesus never asked me to bear?

• Where in my life do I feel “forced” instead of flowing with grace?

• What would it look like to walk hand-in-hand in step with Jesus today?

• When was the last time I felt truly rested in my soul?

Prayer & Journaling Prompts:

• Jesus, today I feel weary because...

• Show me where I’ve been striving instead of trusting.

• What “unforced rhythm” are You inviting me into this week?

• Thank You for carrying the weight I was never meant to hold. Help me release...

Take a deep breath, let the noise fade, and embrace the unforced rhythms of grace. Remember, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to stay close to Jesus. There’s rest for your soul right here.

 

About the Host:
Debbie Dufek is an author, conference and retreat speaker, inspirational storyteller, and the creator and host of The Women Behind the Words podcast. She has a deep passion for encouraging others to live deliberately for what matters to Jesus. Currently, she’s writing a new book on her concept of a Weekly Business Meeting with God, with plans for a March 2026 release.

Debbie’s first book, Holy Interruptions: When God Taps You on the Shoulder, was released in 2022 by Bold Vision Books. This heartfelt collection of stories reflects Debbie’s belief that God often speaks to us in the ordinary, seemingly unremarkable moments of our lives. She encourages readers to slow down, listen closely, and recognize God’s divine interruptions as sacred opportunities to live with purpose, compassion, and faith. With each story, Debbie reminds us that God’s whispers often come when we least expect them—but always when we need them most.

If you long to see God’s fingerprints in the everyday moments of your life, this book is a beautiful reminder to keep your heart open and your spirit attentive.

 

Connect with Debbie:
Instagram: @deb.dufek
Facebook: Debbie Cone Dufek
Website: www.debbiedufek.com
Email: deb@debbiedufek.com