⁵ Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5 NKJV)

It can seem like it is we who have to overcome the world. That we are meant to conquer it, subdue and wring every ounce of life it has to offer. This is a striving for success that motivates many people. We decide that everything is on us, individually, and can literally work ourselves into an early grave. It is not that striving and being successful is a bad thing. It isn’t. However, doing so out of vain ambition is simply an act of pride.

I was taught a lesson many years ago when I was so consumed with the life I was building that it was literally draining the life from me. I was stressed, unhappy and beginning to have a multitude of medical issues. Those years haunt me even today. I missed so much of my children’s early lives for vain striving. It was not until I learned how to give it all to God and not worry about the outcome or my success in it all that I started to right that course.

Reflect on: Who is driving your outcomes. Is it vain striving or living unto God. Truly, living unto God and trusting Him completely is the best option.