A friend of mine committed to pray for me this year and asked for my prayer request. Since I’ve already been evaluating what my grace goals are for the new year (see below), her question helped solidify my answer.
The words to Psalm 46:10 immediately came to mind.
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Cease striving and know that I am God. Share on X
The dictionary defines striving as “making great efforts to achieve something; to exert oneself, to try hard, to do one’s best, to struggle.”
For some, striving towards a goal could be a good thing. But for me, just the sound of the word sounds tiring.
Striving. This year I want to cease striving. You see I have always wanted to do everything right in my life because I’m afraid of getting it wrong. So I strive to do my best.
I strive over things that are good. I strive when I’m doing something I feel God has led me to do because I want to represent Him well. I want to write Biblically sound posts. I don’t want to make any mistakes. And so I strive to be the best writer I can be. I strive to be the best mom I can be, the best wife. I strive to have a clean house with four kids under the age of 12!
When we strive to become better in our own efforts we often become weary and tired. We often feel discouraged at our lack of progress. When this happens to me, I often realize I’m trying to do things in my own strength.
My priorities may be unbalanced when I focus on the things I want to do instead of praying about what God wants me to do and how he wants me to do them.
God is telling me to cease! To stop! To put an end to striving!
Stop worrying! Stop fretting! Stop being afraid!
My best efforts towards something good can often lead me to worry, stress and fret. Share on X
My best efforts can lead me to hyper-focus on one thing until my life becomes unbalanced.
Other versions of Psalm 46:10 say,
Be still, and know that I am God.
Instead of directing us what not to do, this version tells us what we should do. We should be still. Being still means being at rest. Having peace inside even when everything on the outside seems chaotic. It means having a deep sense of calm.
The next part of the verse says,
and know that He is God.
We can only be still and rest when we know, believe and trust in His power and control over our life.
Doesn’t that make you want to hand over the burden of control you carry that strives to be enough in every area of your life?
I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.
I’m human. I’m going to mess up. I’m going to make mistakes. But I can rest in the fact that my mistakes will never mess up the glory of His name. Amen to that! God is going to be exalted among the nations. He will be exalted in the earth.
Every time I try to take back the reigns of control through worry and fear I’m going to calm my anxious heart and say to it, be still my soul. Cease striving and know that He is God. I already feel a sense of relief knowing that I can come to Him for rest.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
May you find rest and peace for your soul in 2016!
In His Blessed Name,
You may also like: Rest Assured, Busy and Blessed, Patient, Facing Fear Series
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Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
So good- to be still is such an important thing. I love when we can be still and rest in being who God created us to be
I totally get you! I want to do everything perfectly also! I get so deflated when I am trying(striving) so hard and I still mess up. But we can’t possibly do everything in our own strength as you shared! This has been on my heart lately also! Thanks so much for sharing these words of truth that we constantly have to be reminded of! Linking up with you at #Gritandgrace
This is a great mindset for the new year- it is so easy to focus on doing more, working hard, striving for perfection… and yet that is not what we are called to do as followers of Christ.
Thank you for sharing with #TheCozyReadingSpot
Valerie, I appreciate the truth you’ve shared here. The kinds of striving that comes naturally to us – striving for approval, for acceptance, for perfection – are contrary to the gospel and centered in self-righteousness. How good our God is to invite us to know Him more fully! As we saturate ourselves ever more with the gospel, we realize that these kinds of striving are completely vain, and that God’s promise of sufficient grace is sure. Thank you for sharing with us at Grace & Truth!
Thank you for your comment, Jennifer! It makes me think that when we are striving towards a goal we can evaluate our motives and ask ourselves if we are striving for approval, acceptance or perfection? Or are we allowing God’s grace to fill our gaps and trust him with the results? Blessings to you!
These words are so simple, yet so powerful, aren’t they? You’re right – when we focus on God and His Person, we no longer strive. Wise words, my friend! Tweeted and Pinned, and praying for you as I do!
I love it when you visit Ruthie! Thank you for being a light and encourager to me.Thank you for sharing and for your prayers!
You pegged me but I honestly don’t know how to stop. I will keep reading the scriptures you provided.
I know it’s hard Tanya. Keep close to Jesus through prayer and reading His Word and then we can learn to rest in His loving arms. Blessings to you my friend.
Loved this piece! I’m a “striver” from way back. Children of divorce often evolve into strivers as they do their best to make sure the other parent doesn’t also leave. God was the answer for my striving heart. Thanks for sharing this very relevant message! Joining you from #FaithFilledFriday
Thank you for visiting here Pam. I pray that we can both cease striving this year and rest in God’s power and love for us! Have a blessed day!
Thank you so much for sharing this at Sitting Among Friends. I loved this post. “You see I have always wanted to do everything right in my life because I’m afraid of getting it wrong. So I strive to do my best.” I think this is me in so many ways. Trying to do my best to represent God. I know that He can do His own work and do it way better than I can and so I have been trying to be patient and still this whole year.
I look forward to reading more posts and hope to see you come back Wednesdays to share your inspiration with us.
I love your site it is really pretty.
Thank you Jaime, for your kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. I look forward to participating in your link party on Wednesdays. Happy New Year!
Amen! Such a beautiful and relevant scripture. Thank you for the reminder to find my peace and rest in Him. Wishing you and your family a very happy New Year!
Thank you, Jed. I pray that you and your family will have a peaceful 2016! Thank you for your kind comment.
One of my favorite psalms! I do find that when I begin “praying prescriptively” that I lose peace and gain worry. Thanks for this reminder to begin 2016 by ending the ceaseless striving.
Isn’t it such a great verse Michele! I pray that you have a peaceful 2016! Thanks for being such a blessing!
You just described exactly where I SHOULD NOT BE and exactly where I NEED TO BE! The problem is- I’m in the wrong place. Thank you so much for encouraging and loving on me. Your words are always on point!
Kate, I’m with you! Thank you for your friendship! I pray that we can both live in a place of peace and stillness in 2016! It’s a blessing to know you!
Maybe it comes with age. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow. Being in the present is so much more relaxing. Yet, when the future stars to grab hold of my thoughts making me anxious, I have to cling to His words even more. Great idea – grace goals. Love it. Happy New Year.
So true…that BEING in the present is so much more relaxing. Thank you Michelle!
When I am too focused on the future, it is easy to become overcome with worry and fear. Learning to live in the present can eliminate all of that fear.
Be still and know that I am God is one of my favorite Bible verses. Such an important yet simple reminder that we need.
Happy New Year, Val!
So true Ana! Learning to live in the present and enjoy the moment really helps gain perspective and reduce fear. Thank you so much for visiting! Happy New Year to you too!