Peace vs. Striving
“Stop the Hustle, Start the Hush”
Part III: "Fruit of the Spirit and Fruit of Fear" Series
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
—John 14:27 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…”
—Isaiah 30:15a (NIV)
Peace isn’t passive.
It’s not some spa-like moment with cucumber water and soft flute music.
It’s power.
Jesus-level power.
“My peace I give you,” He said—not the world’s version, but the kind that calms storms and quiets striving.
Striving, though? It’s fear wearing sneakers.
It’s the anxious belief that if you don’t hustle harder, everything might fall apart.
But Jesus calls us to something radically different:
“Come to Me... and I will give you rest.”
That’s not a suggestion. That’s a Savior making an offer.
The world says, “Strive harder.”
Jesus says, “Trust deeper.”
Rest isn't the absence of work, it is the presence of Peace.
We’re invited into rest, but most of us RSVP with excuses.
Striving looks productive.
Peace looks unbothered.
But “in quietness and trust is your strength.”
If peace seems out of reach, maybe it’s not because God stopped offering it—maybe it’s because we’ve been too loud to hear Him whisper it.
Prayer
Lord, I’ve been striving—pressuring myself to fix what only You can heal.
Teach me to receive the peace You’ve already given. Help me rest not just from work but from worry. Let Your peace be louder than my fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.