“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water,” Jeremiah 17:7-8a ESV

It’s easy to experience success in a thriving season. Energy is high, things are flowing, and you're seeing the results. But then come the hard seasons. How do you muster up success when you don’t feel it? Maybe we’re looking at the equation wrong to begin with…

Success marks our culture, and our fuel seems to be self-reliance. It's all on “me, myself, and I.” You know the cycle all too well: I muster up the energy to achieve. I rise on that accomplishment until I crash in failure. I pick myself up to chase success again. Rinse and repeat. This cycle of self-reliance quickly becomes self-enslavement. But Scripture calls the one cursed who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh (Jeremiah 17:5).

Jeremiah goes on to describe that there is a better vision for life than enslavement to success: bearing fruit.

Success is focused on self and reliant on self. It’s driven by pride and intends to yield accomplishments for my sake.

Fruit is found in relationship with God, is driven by humility, and grows for the sake of others.

In order to live a life of fruitfulness, we must be near to and trust in the source of nourishment: the Lord. He is water for the roots of our soul. No longer must we strive for success that burns us out. Even in seasons of drought, we can bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7–8).

We aren’t promised success; rather, Jesus promised us trouble. But He also encouraged us to take heart, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). We will feel the heat, we will have years of drought, but our leaves remain green and fruit never ceases when we daily trust in Jesus who has overcome the world.

When we trust in the Lord, we are free of self-reliance and can be fruitful in every season. It will look like patience with a friend when you’re already worn thin. Joy in the midst of pain. Self-control in the midst of temptation. Generosity when you’re tempted to hold tightly to what you have. Faithfulness in the midst of doubt. As we draw near to the Lord, His character takes root in us and becomes nourishment for the people around us. There is a better way to thrive than chasing success. Trust in the Lord. Bear fruit for others.