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What If the Problem Isn’t That You’re Not Trying Hard Enough?
Picture a branch lying on the ground after a storm.
At first, it still looks alive. The leaves are green. From a distance, nothing seems wrong.
But a few days later, the leaves begin to curl.
A week later, they turn brown.
Soon, the branch is dry, brittle, and dead.
What happened?
The branch became disconnected from the vine.
Many Christians live exactly like that branch.
They still attend church. They still know Christian language. They still post Bible verses online. But inside, something is drying up.
Joy is gone.
Prayer feels mechanical.
Pornography still has power.
Anger comes easily.
Marriage feels cold.
Faith feels heavy.
Maybe you’ve asked yourself:
“Why am I not growing?”
“Why am I still struggling?”
“Why do I feel spiritually exhausted?”
Jesus gives a surprising answer in John 15:5:
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
The secret is simple, yet profound:
Abide in Jesus.
From beginning to end, the Christian life is about learning to abide in Jesus.
What Does It Mean to Abide in Jesus?
To abide in Jesus means to remain in Him.
It means to stay connected.
To persevere.
To keep watching.
To keep fighting.
To keep returning your attention to Jesus, His Word, His promises, His will, His love, and His grace.
Many Christians think spiritual growth happens by trying harder.
Jesus says something different.
He does not say:
“Produce fruit.”
He says:
“Abide in Me.”
Fruit is the result.
Abiding is the command.
A branch does not struggle to produce grapes. It simply remains attached to the vine, and life flows naturally.
The same is true for believers.
Transformation comes from relationship before it comes from effort.
Are You Abiding in Jesus or in Yourself?
Every day, you are abiding somewhere.
Either you are abiding in yourself.
Or you are abiding in Jesus.
How can you tell?
Think about the warning lights on your car dashboard.
When the battery light turns on, the car is telling you that something is wrong.
In the same way, your soul has warning lights.
Worry.
Constant frustration.
Bitterness.
Unforgiveness.
Anger.
Judgmental attitudes.
Gossip.
Persistent anxiety.
These emotions do not automatically mean you are sinning. But they often reveal that you have shifted your trust away from Christ.
You may be resting in:
Politics.
Money.
Comfort.
Entertainment.
Your own strength.
Your own plans.
But not in Jesus.
When we abide in ourselves, we become exhausted.
When we abide in Jesus, something changes.
Because Jesus is the Prince of Peace, we experience peace.
Because Jesus forgives, we begin to forgive.
Because Jesus is Truth, we stop living in lies.
Because Jesus is holy, we stop making peace with pornography.
Because Jesus loves His church, we begin to love His church.
Because Jesus loves the lost, we begin to love the lost.
Little by little, His desires become our desires. We abide in Jesus and we become more like Him!
Gospel encouragement
Perhaps you are reading this and thinking:
“But I still struggle with sin.”
Welcome to the Christian life.
Every genuine believer still battles the sinful nature.
Christians are not saved because they no longer struggle.
Christians are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The gospel is not:
“Try harder.”
The gospel is not:
“Become perfect.”
The gospel is this:
Jesus lived the perfect life you could never live.
He died on the cross for your sins.
He rose from the dead.
And everyone who trusts in Him is fully accepted by God.
Even after conversion, believers still fight sin.
But now they fight from acceptance, not for acceptance.
When you fail, Jesus does not tell you to run away.
He invites you to run back.
His grace is still sufficient.
His blood still cleanses.
His mercy is still new every morning.
Therefore, abide in Jesus.
How Do You Practically Abide in Jesus?
1. Talk to Jesus Throughout the Day
Prayer is more than a scheduled event.
It is a lifestyle.
Short prayers change everything:
“Jesus, help me.”
“Jesus, You know my struggle.”
“Jesus, I feel weak.”
“Jesus, thank You for being with me.”
“Jesus, give me wisdom.”
Talk with Him about your children.
Your marriage.
Your finances.
Your fears.
Your temptations.
Your ministry.
Nothing is too small.
2. Pray God’s Promises
Faith often grows before feelings catch up.
Declare God’s promises even when you do not feel them.
When you feel abandoned:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
When you feel weak:
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
When you feel anxious:
“Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.”
This is one practical way to abide in Jesus.
3. Saturate Your Mind with Scripture
Read Scripture.
Memorize Scripture.
Meditate on Scripture.
Speak with Jesus about Scripture.
Ask questions:
“Lord, what are You teaching me?”
“How does this apply to my life?”
“Why did You want me to hear this today?”
As you focus on Christ in His Word, the Holy Spirit transforms you.
4. Stay Connected to the Church
Jesus loves His church.
He meets with His people.
Isolation is dangerous.
Branches grow best together.
Do not merely attend church.
Participate.
Serve.
Encourage.
Worship.
Pray with other believers.
5. Kill Hidden Sin
Sin steals spiritual strength.
Hidden pornography.
Bitterness.
Double living.
Secret compromise.
Unforgiveness.
These things slowly drain life from the soul.
Romans 8:13 says:
“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Sin is never harmless.
What you refuse to kill may eventually begin killing you.
A Serious Warning from Jesus
Jesus says in John 15:2:
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
The Father is the Gardener.
He inspects every branch.
He is not impressed by leaves.
He looks for fruit.
Some people appear connected to Jesus.
They attend church.
Know Christian language.
Participate in ministry.
Yet inwardly they remain disconnected.
Their relationship with Jesus is formal rather than real.
Religious rather than relational.
External rather than internal.
Like Judas.
Like Demas.
Outward activity cannot replace genuine fellowship with Christ.
The question is not:
“Do I attend church?”
The question is:
“Am I truly abiding in Jesus?”
Brother, Remain in Jesus
Life will bring deserts.
Trials.
Financial struggles.
Temptations.
Illness.
Disappointments.
Unanswered prayers.
But if you abide in Jesus, you never walk through those valleys alone.
You walk with Him.
You discover that He still provides water in the wilderness.
He still carries burdens.
He still performs miracles.
He still guides His people.
And as you keep your eyes on Him, the Holy Spirit quietly transforms you.
Not magically.
Not instantly.
But genuinely.
Naturally.
Gradually.
So let me lovingly ask:
Are you abiding in Jesus?
Examine your life.
The return of the Bridegroom is drawing near.
Do not settle for a formal relationship.
Remain in Jesus.
Because those who abide in Jesus will bear much fruit.
And apart from Him, we can do nothing.
Now what?
Take five minutes today.
Open your Bible.
Read John 15.
Talk with Jesus honestly.
Ask Him:
“Lord, am I truly abiding in You?”
If this post encouraged you, share it with another Christian brother who needs hope today.
Do you agree?
Let me know if there is anything special going on in your life or if you want prayer! Share this post with your friends and don’t forget to leave a comment.
P.S. Whenever you use the links and the banners on my blog to buy something on Amazon USA, or you use other affiliate links on my blog, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I do not promote anything I do not believe in or stand behind.
I am a blogger, writer, pastor, Director of Zion Romania Bible School, husband to Olguta, a father and, most importantly, a child of God. I also completed my studies at the King’s University where I earned a B.A. in Theology with a concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies. I love Israel and I love the ‘Jewishness’ of the Bible.
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