strive against (something)
To put forth a great and tenacious effort to prevent or oppose something. My great-grandfather gave his life striving against tyranny and oppression. The local community has been striving against the economic decline with a number of initiatives to keep people employed.
strive against something
to work against something. He worked hard, striving against failure at every turn. Things were difficult. I had to strive against quitting almost every day.