How to Stop Striving and Start Flourishing
Have you ever noticed how certain words start showing up everywhere?
Lately, for me, it’s been two: strive and flourish.
And at first, they didn’t feel like they belonged together.
Striving feels like effort — pushing, pressing, persevering.
Flourishing feels like blooming — rooted, steady, alive.
So which is it? Are we called to strive? Or are we meant to flourish?
In my previous message, we talked about the danger of striving ahead of God — of working without first listening for His voice. That conversation was rooted in Hebrews 4:7, where we’re reminded: “Today, if you hear His voice…”
But what happens after we hear Him?
This post builds on that foundation.
Because even when we are listening, we can still slip into striving for identity instead of serving from it. And that’s where Jesus’ words in John 15 gently redirect us back to abiding.
If you’ve been feeling the tension between pushing hard and trusting deeply — between working faithfully and resting confidently — this conversation is for you.
Let’s explore whether striving and flourishing are enemies… or invitations to something deeper.
Reflection Questions
Take a few slow breaths before you answer these.
Where in my life do I feel like I am striving right now?
Is it in my work?
My calling?
My relationships?
My spiritual growth?
What is fueling that striving?
Fear?
Comparison?
A need to prove something?
Or obedience and trust?
If I slowed down and focused on abiding in Christ first, what might shift?
What would flourishing look like in this season — not five years from now, but now?
Am I striving for identity… or from identity?
You don’t have to fix anything today.
Just notice your roots.
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Regina is a writer, former homeschooling mom, and owner of a comfort food catering business. A contributor to several publications, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting about God’s goodness with women.
