This Lent, I’m Not Trying Harder — I’m Giving In

If I’m honest, the feeling that shows up most often in my life lately is this: I’m not doing enough.

Not enough at work.

Not enough at home.

Not enough spiritually.

I move through my days checking boxes, answering emails, packing lunches, showing up where I’m supposed to show up — and still, that quiet pressure hums underneath it all.

You could be doing more.

You should be doing better.

Maybe you know that voice too?

When “Trying Harder” Stops Working

For a long time, my instinct during Lent has been to tighten the screws:

• pick the right thing to give up

• be more disciplined

• be more focused

• be… better

  
  

But this year, I’m tired in a deeper place. Not lazy tired. Soul tired.

And the usual “try harder” energy isn’t bringing me peace. It is just making the ache of not feeling enough louder. I do however, keep coming back to something in Corinthians:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Not in my hustle.

Not in my perfectly kept Lent.

In my weakness.

Maybe Lent Was Never Meant to Be Another Performance

Somewhere along the way, I subtly turned Lent into another place to prove myself.

If I get my Ashes… If I remember not to eat meat on Fridays….If I join the trendy new Insta Lent pray challenge (of course I did..ya know, just in case!)

Then, maybe, just maybeI’ll feel like I’m doing this faith thing right.

But Jesus has never asked me to impress Him.

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Not: Come to me once you’ve gotten it together.

Not: Come to me when you finally feel like enough.

Just… come.

This Lent, I’m trying something different.

Instead of only asking, What should I give up?

I’m asking,Where do I need to give in?

Give in to:

• God’s mercy for me on good and bad days

• God’s pace, not mine

• God’s presence in the middle of my ordinary days

• Or maybe just the fact that He knows best

Because the truth is, the pressure to be more, do more, and hold more together was never coming from Him.

“Our sufficiency is from God.” — 2 Corinthians 3:5

I mean, if that’s true — and it is — then maybe the most honest Lenten practice for us is not striving harder…but surrendering sooner.

What Giving In Looks Like (Practically)

For me, “giving in” this season looks like small, quiet shifts:

• Pausing when the I’m not enough spiral starts

• Praying, “Lord, You are enough for me here”

• Letting some things be imperfect

• Choosing presence over performance when I can

• Remembering that being formed by God is slower than my productivity brain prefers

  
  

It is not flashy. It is not impressive. But it feels more honest. And maybe, this is the kind of heart posture Lent was always meant to grow in us.

If You’re Tired Too

If you’ve been carrying that quiet weight of never quite feeling like you’re doing enough — at work, at home, or in your faith — you are not behind.

You are human. You are loved. You are already being met by God right in the middle of your unfinished places.

This Lent, you don’t have to perform your way into peace. You can give something far more powerful. You can give in.

Where are you feeling the pressure to be more or do more right now? What might it look like to surrender that place — even a little — to God this week?

Grace is not waiting for our best version.

It is already here.