Stop Striving—He’s Already Done It

This morning, while I was getting ready for the day, I was listening to Tyler Braden’s song “Above the Water,” and one line stopped me in my tracks: “I run from the Father, end up workin’ harder to do what’s already been done.”

Whew. That one hit me.

It got me thinking about what Jesus did on the cross—how He said “It is finished.” And yet, I find myself working and striving to prove myself all the time. I hustle to show I’m worthy of God’s love, His time, His blessings.

But if I’m honest, that’s just me trying to do what’s already been done.

It’s like trying to improve a masterpiece—you just don’t do it.

Hebrews 12:2 puts it like this:

Hebrews 12:2“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This verse holds two powerful truths that go right along with that song lyric.

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✍️ 1. Jesus Is the Author and Perfecter of Your Faith

Let that soak in for a second.

I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time striving to grow my faith, as if it’s all on me. I’m like the father in Mark 9 who cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” But in my day-to-day life, I tend to forget that Jesus is the One doing the work.

I give my worries to Him... and then I snatch them right back.

But this verse reminds us: He’s the Author. He’s the Perfecter. Not me. Not you.

So, how do we live like that’s true? I think it comes down to being intentional, choosing to believe that He’s the one writing your faith story. And every time that voice creeps in whispering “You need to do more,” you respond with, “Nope—Jesus already did it.”

We just need to stay open, remember our role, and trust Him to do His.

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❤️ 2. You Are the Joy Set Before Him

Read that again.

You were the joy set before Jesus.

It definitely wasn’t the beatings, the mocking, or the cross—He prayed for the cup to pass and sweated drops of blood in agony. So what was the joy that gave Him the strength to endure it all?

Us.

You. Me.

We are the joy that made Him willing to be denied, ridiculed, and crucified.

That should undo us—in the best way.

And when He said, “It is finished,” He meant it. You don’t have to strive to be good enough. You just have to receive the gift and remember—He’s the Author and the Perfecter of your faith.

All He’s asking is that you stay open to Him.

Verses to Meditate On

Hebrews 12:2

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

➡️ He started your faith journey and He’s the one who will finish it. Keep your eyes on Him.

Psalm 46:10

“Cease striving and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

➡️ Stop struggling. He’s God—you’re not. Let Him carry what you can’t.

Jeremiah 31:3

“The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying,

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.’”

➡️ His love for you is eternal—He’s been gently pulling you toward Him all along.

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

➡️ He didn’t wait for you to clean up your act—He loved you at your worst.

Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord your God is in your midst,

A victorious warrior.

He will exult over you with joy,

He will be quiet in His love,

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

➡️ God doesn’t just tolerate you—He rejoices over you. Loudly.

1 John 3:1

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,

that we would be called children of God; and such we are.

For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

➡️ You’re not just accepted—you’re adopted. You belong to His family.

Isaiah 49:15–16

“Can a woman forget her nursing child

And have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

Your walls are continually before Me.”

➡️ Even the most tender human love can fail, but His never will. You’re engraved on His hands.

Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him,

for he who comes to God must believe that He is

and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

➡️ God doesn’t ask you to perform—He invites you to believe and seek Him. He’ll take care of the rest.

Philippians 2:13

“For it is God who is at work in you,

both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

➡️ You don’t have to manufacture spiritual growth—God is already at work in you, even in your weakness.

🙏 A Prayer for the Believer Who’s Struggling to Let Go

Lord,

Thank You for loving me before I ever lifted a finger to earn it. Help me stop striving and start trusting You more fully. Remind me that I don’t have to be enough because You already are. Thank You for authoring my faith and for perfecting it, even when I doubt. I surrender my efforts and receive Your finished work. Teach me to rest in Your joy over me.

Amen.

✝️ Salvation Prayer

If you’re reading this and wondering if this love and freedom could ever be for you, it absolutely is. Jesus went to the cross for you. And if you’ve never said “yes” to that gift, here’s a simple prayer to get started:

Jesus,

I believe You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins, and rose again. I confess that I’ve tried to do life my way, but I need You. Please forgive me, come into my heart, and be the Lord of my life. Teach me to walk with You every day. Thank You for saving me.

Amen.

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