I was 20 the first time I realized I was hustling my way straight past the blessings I kept begging God for.

And of course, it happened during the holidays.

I was sitting in my car in the Target parking lot—peppermint mocha in hand, to-do list spiraling out of control—trying to convince myself that if I just worked harder, prayed longer, pushed a little more… maybe I could speed God up on whatever He was doing with my life.

Maybe if I finally did everything “right,” the thing I wanted would finally show up.

A relationship.
Clarity about my future.
A sense of purpose.
Just… something.

So naturally, instead of resting or praying, I opened Instagram.

Instant regret.

Within seconds, my feed was overflowing with couples ice skating under string lights, perfect friend groups in matching PJ sets, holiday engagements, new apartments and shiny promotions, and cozy families in beautifully decorated homes.

And somewhere between the fifth engagement post and the third European Christmas, something in me just… sank. 

“What am I doing wrong?”

But here’s the truth:

Nothing in my life was actually wrong.

I just wasn’t receiving anything—because I was too busy trying to manufacture it myself.

Scripture Doesn’t Tiptoe Around This—It Confronts It

Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us keep our eyes on Jesus.”

But striving pulls your eyes everywhere except Him.

Scripture even gives us a picture of this: Peter stepped out of the boat toward Jesus with confidence—until he took his eyes off Jesus and started striving against the waves. The moment he tried to handle the chaos on his own, he began to sink (Matthew 14:30).

Striving is a wave.

It looks responsible, spiritual, even productive, but it will absolutely drag you under.

And it sneaks in quietly, too—through a “to-do” list that never ends, a conversation you feel like you should have prepared for, or the mental checklist of everything you think God is waiting for you to accomplish before He moves.

What God Whispered to My Heart That Day

As I sat in my car—half caffeinated, half spiraling—Psalm 139:14 came to mind:

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Not once you’ve earned it.

Not once you’ve hustled, hurried, or hoped enough.

Not once you’re engaged or promoted.

Not once you’ve proven yourself worthy.

Not once you’ve caught up to anyone else’s timeline.

Already.

And it hit me:

God wasn’t withholding blessing because I wasn’t trying hard enough.
I was missing the blessing because I wasn’t still enough to receive it.

What Actually Helped

I didn’t transform overnight—trust me.
I did start calling myself out when I slipped into chronic overachiever mode. And no, I didn’t magically become this serene, peaceful, Pinterest-girl version of myself.

(A girl can only dream.)

But I began to notice the moments where striving showed up:

• Staying late at work to “prove” I was capable instead of trusting God with career timing.
• Over-planning Christmas gifts and schedules to manufacture joy rather than letting it unfold.
• Mentally running my relationships, trying to fix people and situations instead of walking in grace.

After some deep reflection, I realized my tendency to do this all stemmed from lies I had been believing. I then started catching the lies and replacing them with truth:

Lie: “If I don’t make it happen, it won’t happen.”
Truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

Lie: “I should be further by now.”
Truth: “He makes everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Lie: “God must be waiting for me to get it together first.”
Truth: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Slowly—like, slowly—my clenched fists loosened.
My heart softened.
And joy finally had space to breathe again, but only after I allowed it to.

I learned that happiness rises and falls…
but joy is steady.

Because joy has a name.
And His name is Jesus.

And in His presence?
There is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)

Honestly, being with Jesus is so good that everything else just fades into the background.

A Final Word for Your Heart This Holiday Season

If your December feels like one long attempt to “get it together”…
If you feel behind…
If you’re hustling for peace…
If you’re trying to earn the very blessing you’re praying for…

Hear me, sister:
You’re not running on empty because God is withholding love or favor.
You may be feeling empty because your hands are busy striving instead of surrendering.

God’s love isn’t earned.
His favor isn’t unlocked by effort–trust me I’ve tried.
Blessing doesn’t come through performance—it comes through perspective. 

So lift your eyes.
Loosen your grip.
Open your hands and look back at Jesus.

Striving can’t survive there—
but blessing can.
And friend, it will.

Instead of Striving, Let’s Receive

Instead of hopping on Instagram that day, I wish I would’ve chucked my phone into the backseat and just talked to God. I imagine that prayer would’ve looked something like this:

“Jesus, I’m tired of trying to make things happen on my own. Help me to open my hands, rest my heart, and receive the good things You’ve already prepared for me. Show me the areas where I’m striving instead of surrendering. Remind me that Your love isn’t earned, Your timing is perfect, and Your joy is steady. Teach me to trust, to breathe, and to walk in Your presence. Amen.”

Friend, I want to invite you to do the same. Take a quiet moment this holiday season—or even right now—and hand over the areas where you’ve been hustling, worrying, or trying to manufacture blessing. Ask God to reveal where you’re gripping too tightly and to guide you into rest, trust, and joy.

Lift your eyes.
Loosen your grip.
Open your hands.

Striving can’t survive there—but blessing can.
And trust me when I say: it will.

Anna Savacool is a LO Local Ambassador based in Nashville, TN. She graduated from Florida State University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Biblical Studies at The Belonging Co Seminary. Anna is passionately called to write, speak, and testify to women, specifically equipping them in their identity in Christ and encouraging young adult women to embrace their biblical identity. She is the author of an upcoming book she is thrilled to release and dreams of continuing to speak, teach, and bring messages of redemption to our culture for years to come. 

Follow her journey on Instagram @annasavacool.