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

In Ruths personal and generous way, she has crafted the message that busy and driven Christians need to hear: no amount of self-improvement or the worlds approval could ever replace our need for Gods amazing grace. This is a book for us all.

LYSA TERKEURST, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND PRESIDENT OF PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES

In When Strivings Cease, Ruth Chou Simons paints beautiful pictures with wordspictures of shame and inadequacy that we see ourselves in, and a picture of the rest we long to find ourselves in. Ruths humor, vulnerability, scriptural insight, and friendly offer of gospel grace come through on every page.

NANCY GUTHRIE, AUTHOR AND BIBLE TEACHER

If you are a recovering people pleaser, if youre tired of striving and measuring up, When Strivings Cease will be like water to your soul.

JENNIE ALLEN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND FOUNDER AND VISIONARY OF IF:GATHERING

Masterfully written with honest prose, compelling story-telling, and clear Bible teaching, Ruth communicates the message of the gospel as she invites us to leave behind the false hope of self-improvement and walk in the fullness of Gods grace through Christ.

GRETCHEN SAFFLES, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WELL-WATERED WOMAN AND FOUNDER OF WELL-WATERED WOMEN

Ruth invites us into an understanding of how grace shapes the Christ-follower through both surrender and growth. These are not theological abstractions for her, but hard-won truths born from her own tenderly told story.

JEN WILKIN, AUTHOR AND BIBLE TEACHER

Ruth Chou Simons firmly but gently redirects us back to Scripture as the primary source on what it means to trust the lifesaving, life-changing grace of Jesus. This book will resonate with any Christian who has ever wondered if they measure up to the gospel they profess to believe.

AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS AND RAECHEL MYERS, COFOUNDERS OF SHE READS TRUTH AND EDITORS OF THE SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE

Ive had the great honor of being in Ruths physical presenceher faith, her trust, and her reliance on the goodness of God literally makes you feel differently than you did before you encountered her. She is a woman who knows the depths of grace and freedom. You will love this book. It will change your life.

JESS CONNOLLY, AUTHOR OF YOU ARE THE GIRL FOR THE JOB AND BREAKING FREE FROM BODY SHAME

Written with compassion, honesty, humility, and biblical wisdom, its clear Ruth understands the demands women experience, as well as the pressure we put on ourselves. This book is a needed (and welcome) word of refreshment, reminding us of who God is and what he has already accomplished for us in Christ.

MELISSA KRUGER, AUTHOR AND DIRECTOR OF WOMENS INITIATIVES FOR THE GOSPEL COALITION

I cant think of a more timely word than the timeless truth that Jesus, alone, is enoughfor our inadequacies, insecurities, hopes, and dreams. I love how my sister, Ruth Chou Simons, helps us trade our striving for security in Gods grace in these pages. If you are weary and unable to simply try harder anymore, this book is for you.

LISA WHITTLE, BIBLE TEACHER, PODCAST HOST, AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF JESUS OVER EVERYTHING

There are only a few people in this world where their words immediately flood my heart and mind with peace and truth and grace all at the same time. Ruth is one of those people for my wife and me! This book is a must-read for anyone dealing with the temptations of a frantic and busy and difficult worldalso known as all of us!

JEFFERSON BETHKE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

In a world of self-improvement and self-help, Ruth Simons delivers the message we all need to hear: Were saved by grace, and we grow by grace. With relatability, raw honesty, and kindness, Ruth provides a clear call to women, pointing them to their only true hope in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

EMILY JENSEN AND LAURA WIFLER, COFOUNDERS OF RISEN MOTHERHOOD

When Strivings Cease is a breath of fresh air. Ruth is not only a wonderful storyteller, but she is remarkably open about her own journey and struggle with performing for God. I could relate to her experience on so many levels and appreciate the focus on Gods grace and sufficiency.

SEAN MCDOWELL, PHD, BIOLA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, SPEAKER, YOUTUBER, AND AUTHOR

As someone who easily reverts to earning my way in the world, When Strivings Cease turned my eyes back to the heart of the gospel. The way has been earned; we just have to accept it. Ruths willingness to offer up her life story to illustrate the power of trusting Gods grace blesses all who read her words with an open heart.

PHYLICIA MASONHEIMER, AUTHOR AND FOUNDER OF EVERY WOMAN A THEOLOGIAN

In When Strivings Cease, Ruth has revealed the gospel of self-improvement for what it truly isa works-based gospel which, of course, is no gospel at all. Whats the alternative? Moving from a knowledge of Gods grace to an experience of it. Thats what Ruth helps you do in this excellent book.

JORDAN RAYNOR, NATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF CALLED TO CREATE AND MASTER OF ONE

As I turned the pages of When Strivings Cease, the word freedom repeated in my head like a mantraRuth is marching us toward freedom in Christ. Through biblical teaching and vulnerability, Ruth helps us understand grace and the real Jesus we all long to know. Ill be returning to this book for years to come, and so will you.

TRILLIA NEWBELL, AUTHOR OF GODS VERY GOOD IDEA, SACRED ENDURANCE, AND IF GOD IS FOR US

Ruth is a trusted author, friend, and artist who uses her gifts to display the truth of Gods favor and grace in our lives. She models a beautiful tension of stewardship and surrender. This is a must-read!

REBEKAH LYONS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RHYTHMS OF RENEWAL AND YOU ARE FREE

In a world that screams do more, run faster, build more, get more attractive, find more followers, be more successful, Ruth is gently reminding us that we are already enough because of Jesus. You will be encouraged and changed when you close the last page.

JAMIE IVEY, BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND HOST OF THE HAPPY HOUR WITH JAMIE IVEY PODCAST

A timeless, relatable, and vulnerable read about tvrading the myth of the American dream for freedom found in the kingdom of Heaven.

MYQUILLYN SMITH, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WELCOME HOME

As vulnerable as it is funny as it is beautiful. Ruths story brings the timeless truth of Scripture to our social media moment of striving, You can stop performing. Gods grace really is enough.

JUSTIN WHITMEL EARLEY, LAWYER AND AUTHOR OF THE COMMON RULE AND HABITS OF THE HOUSEHOLD

A blending of her story as an Asian American woman growing up in two worlds along with generous amounts of scripture, Ruth pulls hard-won lessons from her life to redirect our understanding of where we find rest, peace, and intimacy with God.

VIVIAN MABUNI, SPEAKER, PODCAST HOST, FOUNDER OF SOMEDAY IS HERE, AND AUTHOR OF OPEN HANDS, WILLING HEART

With clarity and her signature theological depth, Ruth gives us permission to exchange self-reliance for God-reliance. Her eloquent prose and humble spirit shine in this book that will transform the way you see Gods grace for you.

TIMOTHY D. WILLARD, PHD, C. S. LEWIS SCHOLAR, AND AUTHOR OF WHERE BEAUTY BEGINS

When Strivings Cease

2021 by Ruth Chou Simons