A quick search in my bible software shows that striving can be used in a positive and a negative sense.  Positively we are told to strive against sin (Hebrews 12:4), to strive together in prayer (Romans 15:30), and to strive together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27).

For me personally striving is usually a negative thing.  When I find myself striving I am stressed out about something that I am dealing with in the natural or in the flesh.  I find myself carrying a burden that the Lord wants to carry for me.  Do you know what I mean? Do you experience this or is it only me?

I had a wonderful example of this in my life just a couple days ago.  Over the summer period I have been asking the Lord what direction He wants my teaching and preaching to go in the Autumn.  I have had a couple directions I have been praying about.  Yes, I have been praying about it but also finding myself trying to figure it out in my own strength and feeling stressed that I don’t have a real sense of the Lord’s direction. As September closes in I feel the pressure to know and begin to prepare.

Suddenly I realised that I was carrying this load myself.  This is often the way the Holy Spirit speaks and reveals things to us.  In an instant I knew I needed to give the burden to Him and expect Him to speak to me about this.  As I did this, within minutes I sensed He was speaking something new and fresh; a direction completely different than the two I was working on!  Praise the Lord.  One word from Him brings clarity.  In a nanosecond God can say something that wipes away weeks or months of work and striving.  Oh how I love Him.

Are you burdened and stressed about something?  In a conscious way go to the Lord today and give it to Him and ask Him to step into the matter.  The key is to do it by FAITH, knowing He will.  When you have real faith, then the burden goes and He answers.  You must know He loves you and wants to carry your burdens.  Let Him in by faith.  Stop striving.  Be encouraged today with Matthew 11:28-30:

““Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV.