Sometimes God will use the simplest things to reveal the deepest truths.
This one came through lip balm.
Yes, lip balm.
One day I had a lip balm in my pocket because… dry lips anyone?
The one I reached for was basically finished, but I did not realise that at first. I just knew my lips were dry and I needed something quickly.
So I kept trying to get something out of it.
Pressing the tube.
Squeezing it.
Working hard for just a little bit.
And after what felt like forever, I finally got some out. But what made the whole thing even funnier was this: I did not know I had two lip balms in that same pocket.
And when I first put my hand in there, I did not even feel the second one.
So there I was, struggling to force something out of what was almost empty, completely unaware that in the very same pocket, there was another lip balm that was full and ready to use.
No struggle.
No squeezing.
Just supply.
And immediately, I heard so clearly in my spirit: “Isn’t that how some of you live?”
Striving While Already Supplied
That moment really hit me. Because how often do we do this spiritually?
We exhaust ourselves trying to get from empty places what only God can truly give. Meanwhile, we already have access to Him.
Access to His wisdom.
Access to His peace.
Access to His strength.
Access to His help.
And yet, instead of drawing from the fullness that is found in God, we keep striving in our own strength.
Trying to force answers.
Trying to make things happen.
Trying to survive on what was never meant to sustain us.
Zeal Without Knowledge Is Hard
It immediately made me think of this scripture: “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” — Romans 10:2
Because let’s be honest — effort alone is not enough. Sometimes we are not lacking effort, we are lacking revelation.
Sometimes the issue is not that we are not trying. The issue is that we are striving in places where God has already made provision. And that is what makes zeal without knowledge so exhausting. Because it makes you work hard for what grace has already supplied.
Sometimes the Problem Is Not Lack
The revelation for me was this: Sometimes the issue is not that God has not provided.
Sometimes the issue is that we have not paused long enough to recognise what is already with us.
Scripture says: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…” — 2 Peter 1:3
Everything we need.
Not some things.
Not eventually.
Not one day when life becomes easier.
Everything.
And yet many of us are still living like spiritual orphans — striving, panicking, forcing, fearing — when our Father has already made provision available.
What You Need May Already Be With You
What made this whole thing even more striking was that I had already put the second lip balm in my pocket myself. It was there the whole time. I just was not aware of it.
And that is how some of us are walking with God.
We are praying for peace while ignoring the Prince of Peace.
Praying for direction while neglecting the Word of God.
Praying for strength while refusing to rest in His presence.
Praying for help while overlooking the Helper.
Not because God has not given us access. But because we are not fully aware of what we carry in Him.
Stop Squeezing Empty Things
That lip balm really preached to me.
Because some of us are still trying to squeeze life out of things that are already finished.
Finished mindsets.
Finished methods.
Finished seasons.
Finished sources.
And God is saying: Why are you forcing what is empty when I have already provided fullness?
Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10
Not barely enough.
Not surviving on residue.
Fullness.
Closing Thought
Sometimes striving is not a sign of responsibility.
Sometimes it is a sign that we have forgotten where our supply comes from.
We have God. And if we truly have Him, then we do not have to live as though everything depends on our squeezing, forcing, and struggling.
There is grace.
There is supply.
There is help.
The real question is: Have I recognised what is already available to me in Him?
Closing Prayer
Father, Thank You for being my source.
Forgive me for the times I have strained, forced, and struggled as though I do not already have access to You.
Open my eyes to recognise what You have already provided.
Teach me to stop striving in my own strength and to rest in the fullness of who You are.
Help me not to live from emptiness when You have already made provision available.
May I grow not only in zeal, but in spiritual understanding.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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