Have to force things live, worried, pressured, wondering how it’s going to happen. When you’re abiding, you’re going to bear much fruit. You would think it would be just the opposite—that if you work harder, put in more effort, you’ll see the dream, get the promotion, or solve the problem. But no, it’s not through striving that you bear much fruit. When you abide, you see increase.
As John 15:5 says:
Faith has a rest. When you don’t see how something can work out—the medical report isn’t good, your finances are down—it’s easy to get stressed, trying to fix everything yourself. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead of striving, start abiding. Stay in peace:
God, I know You’re still on the throne. I can’t make this happen in my own strength, but I believe that because I’m connected to You, depending on You, and relying on You, You’re going to cause me to bear much fruit. I’m going to see this situation turn in my favor.
When you’re abiding, it takes the pressure off. Instead of focusing on what you can do, you focus on what God can do. You depend on His goodness, His favor, and His power. As long as you’re striving, you’re limited to what you can accomplish. But we all face giants too big for us, people more powerful, medical reports that say there’s no way. Our strength, effort, and talent—no matter how hard we try—won’t be enough. That’s why God said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”
You need power from on high. When you’re abiding, there’s a force that breathes in your direction—a favor that opens doors you couldn’t open, breaks chains holding you back, and releases healing, creativity, and increase that catapults you into your destiny.
One of the best prayers you can pray every morning is:
God, I’m depending on You. Today, I’m relying on You, and I’m going to relax in You. I believe that because I’m connected to You, I will bear much fruit.
Now, this doesn’t mean you sit back and do nothing. You have to use your gifts and be your best. But don’t become dependent solely on your own ability, thinking you have to make it all happen. Do what you can, then leave it up to God. As long as you’re abiding in Him, you’ll bear not a little fruit, not some fruit, but much fruit.
If you’ll start abiding instead of striving, you’ll see more fruit with less work. You’ll go further with less frustration. You’ll accomplish more in less time. Someone may ask, “Aren’t you worried about your child? He’s not getting better.” Just answer, “No, I’m not worrying. I’m abiding, trusting, and believing. I know God’s in control.”
“What about the medical report?” Yes, it doesn’t look good, but I’m not moved by what I see. I’m moved by what I know:
God is restoring health back to me. I’m depending on Him. I’m relying on Him. I’m going to relax, knowing nothing can snatch me out of His hands.
Are you striving, or are you abiding? There are plenty of opportunities to strive—to live worried, stressed, and overwhelmed trying to fix everything. Instead, come back to a place of peace. Scripture says, “Your Father knows what you need.” He sees the struggles, the unfair situations, the dreams in your heart. You don’t have to do life on your own. Jesus said, “Come to Me, and I will give you rest.”
