When Strivings Cease

Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace

By: Ruth Chou Simons

Narrated by: Ruth Chou Simons

Read by the author.

Grace Secures What Striving Cannot

In this hustling, image-forward age of opportunity, we feel more anxious than ever. Despite all the affirming memes and self-reflections that dominate social media feeds, approval and worth often seem assigned to what we do rather than who we are. And we end up constantly feeling like we’re behind, lacking, and failing - at home, at work, with friends, with God.

Ruth Chou Simons knows something about feeling measured by achievement, performance, and the approval of others. As a Taiwanese immigrant growing up between two cultures, Ruth was always on a mission to prove her worth, until she came to truly understand the one thing that changes everything: the extravagant, undeserved gift of grace from a merciful God. In When Strivings Cease, Ruth guides you on a journey to find freedom from the never-ending quest for self-improvement. She shows you how to

• confront the ways you look to superficial means of acceptance and belonging;
• find relief in realizing self-help isn’t the answer because you can’t be so amazing that you won’t need grace;
• stop seeing God as someone to perform for and start finding delight in responding to his welcome; and
• let go of trying to rely on your own strength, your own abilities, and your own savvy by truly understanding the freedom Jesus purchased for you.

With personal stories, biblical insights, practical applications, and touches of original artwork by Ruth, this transformational book helps you see the beautiful truth that God’s favor is the only currency you need - because in Christ you are enough.

©2021 Ruth Chou Simons (P)2021 Thomas Nelson

Striving can be shattered and Grace puts you back together

Ruth speaks about striving and performance orientation that puts words to my hearts longing to prove my worth to others but more so to myself but yet my hearts cry to be more in Christ instead. I feel like the words should’ve just all been hi lighted for me, would’ve saved so much time. This is be a resource to go back to over and over to remember Striving can be shattered and grace can put me back together.

Must Listen!!

The theme of Ruth's book could be beautifully summed up by one word. Grace. She reminds us that no amount of striving is enough, why it never will be, and teaches us to apply the magnificent grace of God to OURSELVES. 

Reading the words Ruth has written deeply convicted me. She wrote down all of the things I didn't know I needed to read. I realized how much of my past served as a lense for viewing God's grace, and how much I still strive day to day. I have spent years of my life allowing fear, doubt, and condemnation to inform my identity and determine my value before God, and I believe that SO MANY of us have done (or are doing) the same thing. I invite you to open this book and, just as Ruth writes, to stop treading water and rest on the shores of grace.

Beautiful reminder of Gods Grace

Love the words and the way it was spoken. Such a sweet voice for a much needed message.

A message of grace and mercy we all need to hear…

We live in a time and place now, more than ever, where people want more for and in their lives. We run ourselves ragged trying to find or be the next best thing. To prove to ourselves and/or others that we are someone. We find the newest trends, turn to “how to” instructional books, podcasts, seminars, etc. to help guide us on how to manage our lives. Whether you are hoping to be the next big thing or just looking for enough attention to make you feel better about yourselves. You won’t find peace or rest in life if that is what you are continually pursuing. The only place you can have complete wholeness and satisfaction is in Christ Jesus, His grace is all we need.  
I have found this to be true and revealed to me in reading Ruth Chou Simons newest book When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with The Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace. 
Ruth Goes through several deep and personal struggles she has faced from the time she was young child to situations she continues to face as an adult, wife, mother, business owner, author, artist, and friend. In her book When Strivings Cease, she refers to God’s Word to show us and teach us that all the striving we do in and of ourselves isn’t the life God made us for. He created us for Him, and our worth comes from Him and Him alone, His Grace Saves Us. It is God’s Grace over our lives that is the ultimate solution. Knowing God, drawing near to Him is the only place we will have peace and rest.  
So much of this book resonates with my own life currently. I have always been a people pleaser, my entire life has been filled with years and years of always trying to do everything and anything I can to help others, even if they don’t ask. This year alone, aside from covid, was probably my most challenging year. But after reading When Strivings Cease, so much of what I do has been put into perspective. God’s Grace is more then enough for me, He guides my way, He leads me where He needs me, as I trust in Him, spend time with Him, who I am in Him will be more prevalent than who I thought I was to be.    
If you are struggling with striving, looking for acceptance, if you are tired and weary because you feel like you can’t take a break and if peace can’t be found in your chaos. I highly recommend picking up a copy of When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with The Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace. Your heart will be blessed, your thinking will change, but most of all your relationship with the Lord will grow deeper and His grace will be revealed to you.  

Needed this

Never knew that someone went through so much of the same things that I struggle with. So grateful for book and for God using Ruth to write it!

So good I’ll listen again

The caption says it all. Ruth Chou Simons talks about transforming your life through grace-God’s mercy for his people. We are a generation of people who are working towards self reliance and striving to do enough and to be enough. The result of this is increasing anxiety and weariness. We have a God who is bigger, kinder and more powerful than we can imagine -he longs to transform us (not just make us better) God Is enough-the gospel is good news.

Rest in Him not your own efforts.

Ruth does an excellent job of reading her book which is clear, concise and honest. We can’t be what God has planned on our own efforts.

awesome book!

my small group got so much out of the 6 week study! no more striving and theexhaustion it brings!

Grace really is that simple, if we allow it to be

I didn’t realize I struggled with Grace as much as I did. Listening to this book and then starting a home Bible study with the companion study guide, I’m realizing I really do try to prove myself to the Lord. This book is wonderful for the new believer because you’ll get to see how amazing Gods Grace truly is. And this book is necessary for the seasoned, long time believer because passages of scripture that talk about Grace is so familiar, we’ve lost the beauty of its meaning. Thank you for shedding light on an area of my faith I didn’t realize was in so much need of being freed!!!

wonderful and helpful

I've listened to this book twice and finally bought a hardcopy so I can highlight and make notes in it. Such a great book!