Filled with personal stories of her own struggles with acceptance amid language, cultural and faith challenges, Ruth shows readers that there is nothing that God cannot overcome with God in your life. Grace is not easy to accept at times in ourselves or others but striving to please everyone does not give the peace and focus that accepting God's grace does. Beautifully written and tranquil.

A memoir embedded in strong Christian encouragement, When Strivings Cease sheds light on the reason we’re all so tired, why we keep pushing when we know our salvation is all of grace, and therefore, an accomplished fact. We’re safe—and yet we still feel unable to measure up.

Ruth Chou Simons is an established author, artist, and entrepreneur, and yet she admits to her own fatigue and great discomfort with our culture of hurry and worry. What makes all the difference and what changed her perspective is an understanding of God’s grace, its comprehensive ability to secure her identity and to establish her adequacy before God. Without this bedrock, any attempt to soothe the fear of not being enough with achievement or self-righteousness will sap the joy out of whatever gifts we exercise.

Simons writes from the context of her experience as an Asian-American woman, growing up with Chinese-speaking parents, singing church songs in Mandarin, and now raising a gaggle of six sons. Whatever challenging circumstances form your particular context, allow them to drive you to a pursuit of truth in Scripture until you become convinced that “self-righteous striving is more hopeless than you want to believe, but grace is more life-transforming than you realize.”

For me, this means valuing the transformative more than I value image management, pursuing spiritual depth more than the trappings of success. My striving will cease—and yours will too—when we acknowledge by the way we live that God’s mercy and grace are truly enough, and definitely more effective in bringing peace and joy than any effort we could have expended on our own.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.

I am a fan of Ruth Chou Simons and have looked forward to reading this book ever since I heard about it. Ruth did not disappoint! I was glued to the book the whole time I was reading it and found the information to be real and applicable, especially in our day and age of perfectionism and the expectation to always be striving for more. Ruth does a great job of helping us really think about the reason we strive and the goal we are reaching for and how to think biblically. by helping us put God in the drivers seat instead of ourselves.
I really enjoyed hearing some of her stories about her childhood and her culture and how they shaped her for better or worse as all of our backgrounds have shaped us also. I enjoyed this book so much that I bought myself a hard copy to reread and have on my bookshelf. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was the first book I had by this author and it really is so encouraging and helpful. A message so many women can relate to and is one I would recommend to my Women’s Bible study. Powerful truths.

Artist, author, and mom-of-six-boys Ruth Chou Simons gets to the heart of grace in this transformative book, When Strivings Cease. I was thrilled to get an e-copy from publisher Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.

This book gets to the heart of what many of us struggle with: feeling like we’re not enough. Society tells us that our approval and value is based on our performance—as parents, employees, even with friends. Ruth knows this struggle intimately, growing up in America as a Taiwanese immigrant, constantly feeling like she didn’t measure up.

She first hits us with some hard truth: that actually, without Christ, we don’t measure up. We’re not enough. But because of God’s incredible, undeserved grace, we don’t have to be; Christ is enough on our behalf. Clinging to this promise, we can be free from both the hamster-wheel of self-improvement and the wrong idea of God as some hard taskmaster who is always disappointed in us. It’s a rich collection of personal stories mixed with gospel truth plus application. I’d recommend anything Ruth writes, but this one is a must for Christians’ TBR list.

(This will go on my IG on January 13th. Currently published on my personal blog.)

Beautiful and encouraging book that reminds the reader to rest in her approval and acceptance in Christ. Ruth does a wonderful job of sharing her experiences and how she's grown in her own faith. A good book to return to.

What an excellent book! Ruth is such a good author and is so good at telling stories and expounding in ideas. I loved this book and have been thinking through the concept of grace since reading it. She takes the conversation deeper than most theologians and applies it to my daily life. I have many quotes written down that I read back through. I’d recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand Gods grace and what it actually means for you today.

When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simons is a beautiful book. In the first part of the book, Simons shows -- with her own examples -- how many of us are constantly striving, trying to earn grace. Then she explains what we should really be doing: trying to understand grace, not earn it. This book was definitely written for my heart, as I could relate to so many of her examples and in other places, I felt like she put into words what I hadn't been able to do yet. This book is full of grace and wisdom, pointing the reader to God in everything. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, but especially those of us who struggle with striving and grace.

I thought that this book was thought provoking, real and gave good context to the Christian life. Ruth really hit the need of acceptance and perfection on the head, and gave her readers a lot do think about as to what God says about those topics

This because was a good reminded that God's favor is the only thing you truly need. And sometimes we all need that reminder.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Ruth Chou Simons shares intimate personal stories and balances that with scripture that shows why striving apart from God ("bending from God") hurts us. The Gift of God's Grace is just that - a gift that we receive only from HIM, and"When Strivings Cease" helps to peel those layers back and understand it in a beautiful way.
Ruth’s honest encouragement (not like a cheerleader, but truly honest) and firmly planted in the word of God, can help even the busiest, goal-minded, success-driven person pause, stop and think about the real reasons behind all of it. While reading this book, I had a conversation with a wise and faith filled 101 year old woman, who told me I work too hard and am too hard on myself (self critical...). She told me that I am a child of God - made by HIM, loved by HIM and therefore, must love myself because we are all made in His image and we are all part of Him. Those words and the messages in this book have "turned a page " for me and awakened me. To Him (not the world) goes all the glory. Amen..

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.

I have been a fan of Ruth Chou Simon's art for many years! My walls are covered with different pieces from Gracelaced! As Ruth has been writing and speaking more, I have begun to love her even more. She is filled with such grace and wisdom, speaking from a place of deep love and compassion for others and a desire to help others walk in the ways of Jesus. This book is no different. Ruth shares truth with kindness, and leads us towards grace and rest. This is a beautiful book and one I would highly recommend!

Every book that I read by Ruth, I am even more amazed at her way with words. She has a way of saying exactly what you're thinking while also pinpointing exactly how you're acting in your faith. I love how she is so candid about the struggles of striving to be 'perfect' in your faith while addressing practices that we also confuse as god-centered. I will continue to keep buying anything Ruth puts out because I always know it will be great!

Ruth Chou Simons, owner and founder of GraceLaced ministries, is known for her beautiful artwork and women's Bible ministry. As in her previous books ("GraceLaced", "Beholding and Becoming", etc.), she combines that artwork and Bible study in her new book, "When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement With the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace." In this newest book, Simons encourages women to see themselves honestly, as beings who are loved and made exactly as God desired. Rather than being swept into the tide of popular self-help strategies, women are encouraged to look to Scripture for the help we all so desperately need.

This book would make an excellent gift for a friend, mom, or family member. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Beautiful, powerful book that reminds us that it all doesn't hinge on what WE do, but what HE does. I loved this insightful, lovely read from Simons, one of my favorite devotional writers and creatives.

Don't miss this book--there's lots to learn and soak in. This would be a great gift for anyone who loves Simon's work and artwork. This would be a wonderful resource for any women's group or small group who wants to live more guilt free.

We don't have to do it all--He's in control, no matter what we do. He calls us to rest!

I was an early reader, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It is easy to get caught up thinking we earn our own salvation, or that it is God’s gift plus what I can do that earns God’s favor. It is sometimes hard to live in the space of really believing in grace, that God gives us things we don’t deserve or earn. And it can be even harder to realize that we can’t change ourselves deep down at our core, that change can only come with God’s working in our lives. Ruth Chou-Simmons talks about her own struggles and progress in each of these areas as an Asian American child of immigrants, a driven person, who was taught to just work harder to accomplish anything. She shares the truths God has taught her over her life, and what those truths have changed in her life and walk with God. She never shares from a place of saying she’s arrived, but as someone in process willing to walk alongside others in process too.

I related to a lot of the author’s stories. As someone who has worked in Asia almost 2 decades, I definitely have had some of that Asian mindset rub off on me. I get it. Maybe not in the same way the author does, but in a tangential way. I also was raised a hard worker who wanted to please others with her performance. So I get that part too. Nothing Ruth Chou Simmons shares is revolutionary, but they are excellent reminders, and she communicates them with love, touches of humor, and humility that is encouraging to others. I can see this being instrumental in the lives of many Christians in helping them get their walk with God and life in general in a healthier spot. Highly recommended.

No content issues.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A vast majority of us need a reminder of God's grace and faithfulness in our lives especially in our current situation of uncertainty and fear. This book serves as a reminder of God's truth and grace as we abide in a relationship with Him.

I was blessed and encouraged as I read about Ruth's personal journey as she shares her struggles and how God's grace was truly sufficient for her. This served as a reminder to myself that I am made whole in Him alone. It was a timely reminder to lay down my striving in order to experience His love and joy when I find His purpose for my life.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4.5 Stars

This is my first Ruth Chou Simons book but it won't be my last! Ruth writes in a relatable, entertaining and inspirational way. While I don't tend to perfectionism, I could still relate greatly to this book and leaned into he teachings of "grace is infinitely greater than our sin and shame". I recommend this book to all Christian women looking to release shame that they were never meant to carry.

Thanks #netgalley for a free copy of #WhenStrivingsCease in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not just life changing, it is life giving. The way Ruth continually points to Christ and nothing else is refreshing and what makes this not a self help book, but a Christ help book. From the very start I felt drawn in, as if invited to a cozy nook with a friend. I love the personal childhood stories mixed in and applied to current day life. (The fried rice recipe was an unexpected bonus.) She has a way of saying profound things so simply, I wonder why I hadn’t thought of it already. I found myself thinking “of course!” many times. The words written are not crazy out of this world, but they pierce deep and are completely freeing. Her statement “I’m going to show you how to persevere, remain, and continue to strive…but strive in grace, by grace, and through grace alone.” really says it all. This book is one I know I will continue to re-read, and will be buying for friends. I think anyone trying to do better or be better, needs to read this.