When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace

That’ll preach! “When Strivings Cease” is not just about quitting the nonsense of striving, though it is about that too. This book, at its heart, is sharing the gospel in such a relevant way for us in 2021. It’s about rooting up false gospel lies in our lives and holding them to the light of the true Good News to see them for what they really are. Ruth has multiple, wonderful gifts and abilities to write and paint and share her God-given creativity so well. Her personal stories constantly point the reader to scripture, abundantly quoting and referencing the Bible, allowing His narrative to speak over and wash her own, while reminding us that that we can do this too. The deep dive into the cultural references surrounding the Prodigal Son were particularly beautiful and touching to me. I am a huge fan of Ruth Simmons’ books, not just because they are pretty, encouraging, or relatable, they are certainly all of those, but because she constantly points to Jesus, His Truth, His Way, and His abilities over ours. She does that again so well here and I am so thankful for her example and shared wisdom as a fellow Christ follower. Definitely read this one.

Ruth is like a doctor you’ve prayed your whole life for. It’s like having this disease that you’ve been battling for years, seeing countless doctors and experts but no one’s been able to help. And finally when hope seems to be lost, you find her. It’s as if she’s able to finish your sentences, listing off your symptoms without you even having to tell her what you’re experiencing, finally giving a name to your sickness, and pointing you to the direction of the cure. Before reading this I had no idea that the biggest sin in my life, probably for most of my life, was striving. I didn’t understand what it truly meant, and how by falling down this hole it has brought me not only spiritual and mental anguish, but has affected me on the physical level! Striving almost sounds like the spun positive you would say when asked what your weaknesses are during a job interview. But in reality it’s destructive like any other sin. I’ll be honest, I started this book a year ago, and almost finished it until my pregnancy knocked me out for about a year. But I am happy to go through it again, and probably will need to go through it every year, or more, for the rest of my life. I swear every three sentences Ruth says something so profound and life-changing, I hardly have the time to let it sit and simmer. In my physical copy of the book, I have more highlighted words than not. I can’t even begin to pick my favorite quote. But what much of the message boils down to this: “If there is a gospel of self improvement, it is a damning one. It is not good news at all.” I have bought into the try harder gospel, and through my striving have made “doing better” my god. It’s what makes you skeptical of things you didn’t earn, such as the rest God gives us through His grace. And that’s no doubt why my body started to shut down while I was in grad school, making me so physically ill I was essentially forced to stop. I legitimately don’t know how to relax and stop worrying about doing better. Ruth deserves every star for writing this, and truly I don’t know if I’ve ever read a more life changing book. If I’m truly being honest I still don’t get the contents. I have such a hard time grasping the concepts and really applying them to my life. I really have to lean back, close my eyes, and think hard about how Gods grace is the answer to all this striving. Only then can it start to make sense, but then I still have to go about applying it!!! It’s something I know I’ll have to wrestle with for a long time, but I’m so grateful to have come across this book.

Ruth Chou Simons touches on a topic that we all know a little too well. Standards. Self-made standards, not thinking we are enough for anyone, not enough for ourselves or even God. We try and measure up to everyone else. We set the bar so high that we start to think that we will never reach our goal. Envy, discontent and selfishness sets in. She reflects back on her own life and shares how her daily walk with Christ has blossomed through God’s word and how it has turned those exact thoughts into contentment when surrender took place. Her stories and God’s truths are woven together into a beautifully written book that will help you remember how great our God is. “God desires to prove his faithfulness through our surrender in our weaknesses, but so often we choose to resist his help, clinging to our own determination to prove ourselves strong. We’d rather limp along in our striving than surrender in weakness.” Because of God’s sacrifice, because of God’s love, because of God’s forgiveness and because of God’s grace, GOD IS ENOUGH. This book is for everyone. God’s word is true and living, so whether you’re longing to find peace in your every day life and need to stop measuring yourself up to standards of the world, or you’re in a season in fellowship with sisters in Christ, When Strivings Cease is the book! It isn’t a one time read, you will pick this book up over and over in every season of life!

When Strivings Cease is absolutely worth the read. I fully intend on reading it again. Ruth delves into something that many people struggle with—striving. We are a culture that focuses heavily on self-help. It is exhausting and does not lead to true peace or freedom. She describes her journey and struggle with striving, and she explains that what Christ accomplished on the cross saves us from this vicious cycle. We do not have to strive for grace, because we will never be enough on our own. We do not need to earn God’s approval. She continually pointed us back to the gospel, and I so thankful that she did. God’s timing with this book was perfect. I have always been one to work hard to find comfort. To be better in hopes that I wouldn’t need grace. If I could just (fill in the blank) -- then I could rest. It was so freeing for me when she explained that when we focus on Christ and that He is enough—then we can strive IN grace instead of FOR grace. We can give out of thankfulness. Ruth is relatable, and the way she shares her story makes you feel like you are in the room with her. Friend, if you are tired of trying to be accepted, earn favor, and be enough—this is a book for you. You do not need to try to fix your situation by trying harder. If you are looking to break the cycle—I highly recommend this book.

This is the book I’ve been needing lately. The first part goes through many of the ways we “strive”, trying to fix ourselves or earn grace. And the second part shows many of the ways we can experience grace. It’s full of stories, which makes it relatable and easy to read, and is bathed in Biblical truths. What resonated most with me was the reminder that the gospel of grace is not just for salvation but for our whole spiritual journey. God does all the heavy lifting the whole way. If you are weary and want rest or are tired of never feeling good enough, this book will be balm for your soul.

There is a reason everyone is buying Ruth Chou Simons' books. She is an excellent writer who has a delightful ability to interpret the Bible with care and precision. She takes the Word and hands it back to us truthfully on an inviting platter. She has lived the words she shares and her life demonstrates it. Ruth confidently writes for such a time as this. Buy it for yourself or as a gift for loved ones.

This book touches on all avenues of grace. The title of her book tells the story. It has been my morning read to enjoy. Glory to God for his grace!!

This is an excellent study! Great questions that really make you think.

I could not decide whether or not to leave a review. I buy hundreds of books from different sources each year and review very few - roughly dividing what I read into 80-20: eighty percent wasted money; twenty percent have something about them. Ruth Chou Simon's book falls into the 20% - and right up the top of that; I mean squeezing up against the boundary of greatness. The first half (roughly) is brilliant. She has a touch of straightforwardness that meets the subject face-on. Too many people want something sugar coated - possibly so that they can keep trying again and again. As a Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist, I know the "Try Harder" driver that keeps a lot of people 'wanting' - and keeps others in ££ (or $$!) - with little significant change. Often aimed at teens/20s+, these endless self-self-self books are changing our cultures, for the worse (in my opinion). Ruth Chou Simon's book steps over all that and says it as it really is. BUT... then around the middle, it drops over a cliff - becomes sexist in speech, patronising, lecturing, boring (the writing, not the subject). I could not believe that there would be another chapter, after chapter - and I found myself hoping for the end. Too long, not edited enough, this book almost went into my 80% - but, I simply cannot place it there, because it still is the book to top all books. Ruth said she wrote it over Covid lockdowns. Perhaps something happened half way through that altered how she wrote. As an in-depth therapist, I witnessed how most clients did not visually appear or say they were affected by lockdowns - yet gave off an energy that would reveal otherwise (perhaps a case of "Be Strong"). I take Ruth's book for its meaty interpretations, the passionate insights and ways of speaking she offers us - and thank her sincerely for those. Ruth - get a new editor!

Everything everything everything about this book is absolutely perfection!!! Growing up in a legalistic religion for 20 years I had to unpack so many things, even my ability to approach God has always been skewed by what I was taught. Behave and do and do and try earn God’s favour and make Heaven my home. This book is scripture based and so clear and concise. Now I just have to work on my own heart and embracing this truth, Ruth explained so clear and so beautifully the simplicity of surrendering & embracing God‘s grace!!! I’m sure I’ve highlighted something on every page. If you are trying to understand salvation directly as it says in the Bible, this is the book for you! thank you Ruth and thank you Christ for your finished work on the cross. I know this was written with humility and the Holy Spirit. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Good, helpful and a blessing to this generation. We surely need more scripture based help books, that will guide us through these times we live in.

What a timely book!! A refreshing look at what drives us to push through so much of life and how God's grace and provision changes how we can live, to be productive and joyful at the same time, to stop striving and yet live more to the full, with greater freedom and peace. I know in my head God's grace is sufficient, this book does a great job of taking that truth and making it practical, what does that look like in this life, what might be stopping me living that out. The conversational style of this book was so good for me, like sitting down with a good friend and sharing heart struggles and searching scripture together to seek His guidance. I've been going through my highlights again and am so encouraged, asking God to let His truth in sink in and really permeate my life. May it do the same for you too.

Excellent read. Always appreciate Ruth’s honesty