Four Truths for When Trying Harder Isn’t Enough

Many women are unhappy with their health and feel stuck. Their solution is to try harder, be more disciplined, and summon enough willpower to reach their goals. Yet, they often find that this does not work. Old patterns are hard to break.

This can lead to a cycle of trying harder and feeling disappointed, which can lead to failure and, ultimately, defeat. But there is a better way.

The gospel provides forgiveness for mistakes. It also leads us into the power of the Holy Spirit, who helps us and empowers us to change. As I have coached women, I have seen that the gospel saves us from our sins and also gives us the power to see real change in our lives.

Here are some truths we can hold onto when trying harder has failed.

My failures are not the final word.

Many of us feel that we have failed too many times. We have tried plan after plan and kept falling short. It is easy to conclude that there is no hope for us, that our history is our destiny, and that our track record speaks for itself.

The gospel reminds us that there is always hope for change. No matter how many times we have failed, our failures are never the final word. God’s power is the final word.

God’s grace is enough to cover all our past failures. It also provides everything we need for life and godliness.

I have access to power beyond my own.

When we rely on our own strength, we will eventually face defeat and discouragement. No matter how hard we try, our efforts are not enough. We will never experience the transformation we need through our own strength.

This is where the good news of the gospel comes in. God is with us. He has promised to give us everything we need (2 Peter 1:3). We are not alone in our struggles. The Holy Spirit has promised to help us.

The message of the Bible is that no one can measure up through their own strength. That is why God has promised to transform us from the inside out and give us everything we need. This includes every area of our lives, including how we care for our bodies.

You are not alone.

North American culture teaches us that we should be able to handle things on our own and that, if we were stronger, we would not need anyone else. We struggle privately, keep our frustrations to ourselves, and white-knuckle our way through life alone.

But the message of the Bible is that we were never meant to live alone. God has given us brothers and sisters who can help us, encourage us, and share our burdens.

God wants us to share our burdens and concerns with others and receive support through relationships with one another. Needing others is not weakness. It is wisdom. It is how God designed us.

My body matters to God.

Many of us are so tired of our struggles that we have developed a negative view of our bodies. But the truth of Scripture is glorious: our bodies are not shameful. Our bodies were created by God and designed by him.

They have been affected by sin and brokenness, but they will last into eternity. One day, God will raise us, and our bodies will be resurrected. They will be glorious and perfect on that day.

We do not live in that day yet, but we can hold onto this truth: your body was created by God as a gift, even though you may struggle with it now. Your struggles are not the final word.

God will redeem every part of you, including your body one day. Even now, there is hope as we learn to care for our bodies through God’s strength.

If you are stuck in a pattern of trying harder and failing, I hope these four truths bring you hope. The gospel helps us in every part of life, including with our bodies, and God has given us everything we need.

This does not mean it will be easy. We will need help from others. It also helps to develop healthy habits that gently lead us toward the health we desire.

Our situation is never hopeless. God is with us, and he will provide what we need in every area of life, including our health.