From Striving to Surrender

How God Meets Us in Exhaustion

There is a kind of exhaustion that sleep doesn’t touch.

It lives deeper than the body.
It shows up after long seasons of holding it together.
After striving to meet expectations—spoken and unspoken.
After trying to be faithful, present, patient, and strong all at once.

This kind of tiredness doesn’t come from one hard day. It comes from carrying too much for too long.

And often, we don’t realize how heavy the load has become until we can’t carry it anymore.

When Striving Becomes Survival

Striving doesn’t always look like ambition. Sometimes it looks like responsibility.

It looks like continuing to show up when you’re depleted.
Like pushing through because others depend on you.
Like telling yourself you’ll rest later—once things calm down.

But there is a quiet line we cross when striving replaces trust.

Instead of bringing our weariness to God, we start trying to manage everything ourselves. Not because we don’t believe in Him—but because surrender feels risky when we’re already overwhelmed.

Yet Scripture invites us into a different posture.

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you.”
Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

God doesn’t ask us to carry what He offers to hold.

God Meets Us in Exhaustion, Not After It

One of the most freeing truths I’m learning is that God does not wait for us to get strong again before He meets us.

He doesn’t say, “Come back when you’ve rested enough.”
He doesn’t ask us to clean ourselves up before approaching Him.

He meets us in the exhaustion.

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
Isaiah 40:29 (ESV)

Notice who receives strength here—the faint, not the well-rested.

Exhaustion is not a barrier to God’s presence. It is often the place where He draws closest.

Surrender Is Not Giving Up

Surrender can sound passive, but it’s anything but.

Surrender is the moment we stop fighting the limits of our humanity.
It’s admitting that we are not meant to be self-sufficient.
It’s releasing the illusion of control and choosing trust instead.

Surrender says:
God, I can’t do this alone.
God, I need You to carry what I can’t.
God, I’m done striving.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

Weakness does not repel God’s power. It creates space for it.

What Surrender Looks Like in Real Life

In motherhood, surrender is rarely dramatic. It’s quiet and practical.

It looks like:

• Letting a day be incomplete
• Choosing rest without waiting for permission
• Admitting you need help—emotionally, spiritually, or physically
• Praying shorter prayers instead of forcing longer ones
• Allowing God to be enough when you are not

Surrender doesn’t always change our circumstances immediately. But it changes how we carry them.

You Are Not Meant to Hold Everything

If you are exhausted, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

It may mean you’ve been faithful longer than you’ve been supported.
It may mean your season requires more gentleness than effort.
It may mean God is inviting you to loosen your grip.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

Jesus doesn’t ask us to prove our need. He responds to it.

From Striving to Surrender

There is freedom on the other side of striving—not because everything becomes easier, but because we stop carrying what was never ours alone.

If you are tired today, you are not failing.
If you are worn down, God is not disappointed.
If you are exhausted, you are not alone.

God meets us not when we have it together—but when we finally let go.

And in that surrender, rest begins.