Strive or Thrive: Are you Overwhelmed or at Peace?
“In the hustle and bustle of life, we are starving ourselves of a rich spiritual life—losing focus on what truly matters.”
We live in a world that glorifies the hustle. The never-ending to-do lists, the pressure to achieve more, the unquenchable thirst for bigger and better—it never stops. The message is clear: if you're not striving, you're falling behind.
But have you ever stopped to ask: At what cost?
The truth is, this constant striving is starving us.
It’s starving us of true connection—with God, with ourselves, and with the people who matter most. It’s robbing us of our full potential, draining our energy, and keeping us trapped in a cycle of exhaustion and emptiness.
The Bible warns us against this kind of relentless striving:
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36)
The Silent Starvation of the Soul
We think of starvation as something physical—lack of food, malnutrition. But what about spiritual starvation? What about emotional depletion?
The world tells us to push harder, work longer hours, sacrifice sleep, and neglect rest. And yet, more people than ever are struggling with burnout, anxiety, and depression.
Did you know?
Studies show that chronic stress increases the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and even autoimmune disorders.
A 2023 survey revealed that 77% of people regularly experience symptoms of burnout.
In a world more connected than ever through technology, loneliness and isolation are at an all-time high.
Chronic stress can create the same physiological impact as a concussion. When we live in a constant state of stress, our brains experience inflammation, cognitive decline, and nervous system dysregulation—leaving us mentally foggy, emotionally drained, and spiritually disconnected.
We are literally striving ourselves sick. And for what?
My Wake-Up Call: Surrendering Striving for Peace
I know this battle well. As a mom, a wife, and a Kingdom-driven entrepreneur, I have spent years caught in the cycle of striving.
I wanted to be the best at everything—the best mom, the best wife, the most successful businesswoman. I poured all my energy into serving others, showing up, and pushing forward. But in the process, I starved myself of the one thing I needed most: intimacy with God.
I filled my schedule to the brim, leaving no room for Him. I justified it by saying I was doing good things—helping people, and building something meaningful. But the truth?
I was running on empty. That tea cup was drier than the Sahara Desert - burnt up and almost to a crisp.
And on January 1, 2025, I finally surrendered.
I let go of the striving. I laid it all down at His feet. And in doing so, I experienced something I hadn’t felt in a long time—peace. Peace honestly like I have never felt before - no worries, no stress, just fully on Holy Spirit peace.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Now, I don’t strive. I thrive.
I thrive because I am rooted in His Word. I thrive because I prioritize my relationship with Him above all else. And when I lean into Him—when I truly take His wisdom over my own—I am no longer running on empty.
Uprooting the weeds
“Striving is like letting weeds overtake the garden of your soul—choking out peace, joy, and divine purpose. But when we break the chains of striving and surrender to God, He uproots what was never meant to grow, making room for His abundance to thrive.”
~Samantha Wendt, CMH, CFAM
Breaking Free from the Striving Mentality
Striving has become the status quo. We are expected to wake up earlier, work harder, be more productive, and never stop pushing. But this lifestyle is not what God intended for us.
Look at Jesus. Did He rush? Was He constantly in a hurry? No. He walked in peace, fully aligned with the Father, never overwhelmed by the world’s demands.
And then, there’s Job. If anyone understood suffering, exhaustion, and feeling utterly depleted, it was Job. In Job 6, he pours out his heart in raw honesty, saying:
“If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been impetuous.” (Job 6:2-3)
How many of us have felt like this? Overwhelmed, burdened, crying out for relief? Job’s honesty reminds us that it’s okay to admit when we are weary. God doesn’t ask us to pretend we’re fine—He asks us to come to Him in our brokenness.
Job questioned, he wrestled, and he suffered deeply. But even in his pain, he turned to God. And that’s the key.
How to Move from Striving to Thriving
If we truly want to thrive, we must break free from this toxic cycle. Here’s how:
Prioritize God First – Start your day with prayer and Scripture. Let Him set the tone, not your to-do list.
Redefine Success – The world equates success with wealth, titles, and achievements. But true success is walking in obedience with God.
Nourish Your Body & Soul – Stop treating rest as a luxury. Sleep, whole foods, and time in His presence are necessities, not afterthoughts.
Set Boundaries – You do not have to say yes to everything. Protect your time with God and your time for true rest.
Trust in His Provision – We strive because we fear lack. But when we trust Him, we know He will provide what we need, when we need it.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Final Thoughts: Are You Striving or Thriving?
We were never meant to live in a cycle of endless striving—wearing exhaustion like a badge of honor, proving our worth by how much we do, how much we achieve, how much we can carry. But at what cost? Striving may look like success on the outside, but inside, it’s starving us—draining our joy, eroding our faith, and pulling us further from the life God designed for us.
I’ve lived in that space. The place where the to-do list runs my life. Where my identity is wrapped up in how well I serve, how much I accomplish, and how others perceive me. I used to think if I just worked harder, did more, and pushed through, I’d finally feel at peace. But the truth? Striving doesn’t lead to peace—it leads to burnout, emptiness, and disconnection from God.
God never called us to strive; He called us to surrender.
And surrender isn’t weakness—it’s strength. It’s stepping back and saying, “God, I trust You more than I trust myself. I lay it down—my plans, my pride, my need to control. Lead me.” Because when we release the weight of striving, we make room for something greater: divine provision, deep-rooted peace, and a life that truly thrives.
So, I’ll ask you again: Are you striving or thriving? Are you running yourself ragged for the world’s approval, or are you letting God plant you in His purpose? Because the difference isn’t in how much you do—it’s in who you let lead you.
Let go. Lay it down.
Because when you stop striving and start seeking Him, that’s when you truly begin to thrive.
And that, my friend, is the life you were created for.
