We live in a world that often encourages us to strive for bigger and better. “If you work hard enough, then you’ll get all that you desire.” There’s no doubt we prefer a life of freedom from financial burdens, relationship turmoil, or the battle of self-worth. However, we confuse the hustle for gaining what the world has to offer, rather than what Jesus has already freely given us.

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God gave us His Spirit [1 Corinthians 2:12]. The gift of hope, for a life of peace, joy, and love. That is because God did not create us to suffer, but to live abundantly with Him. However, as sin was created, so began the challenge of seeing/hearing God clearly. And because we struggle to hear His word, we struggle to trust His word.

But we must set our hearts before the Lord, open and eager to know Him. Because just as David declares, in Psalm 37:4, “take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”, God wants good for us. We mustn’t lean on what the world can give us. It will never be good enough. It’s a never-ending race, should we hustle for the desires of what we think we need. We are fully capable of feeling whole, with contentment, without striving to achieve [fill in the blank] first.

Life is not better there. It can be better right where you are.

Stop striving, and start seeking.

by Megan Snyder (Hope in Struggle Ambassador)