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Have you ever felt like you’re white-knuckling your faith journey? Praying desperately for a specific outcome, clinging to control, and feeling frustrated when things don’t go your way? Take comfort. There’s a beautiful secret hidden in the act of surrender—a secret that can transform your faith and bring you closer to God.
What is Surrender?
Surrender isn’t about giving up or becoming passive. It’s about letting go of the reins, trusting God’s perfect plan, and allowing Him to lead the way. It’s taking a deep breath of humility, acknowledging that our limited human perspective can’t possibly compete with God’s infinite wisdom and love.
The Bible is filled with stories of surrender. We see Moses, hesitant and fearful, ultimately trusting God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. We see Mary, a young woman facing an impossible situation, surrendering to God’s will with a simple, “Yes, be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In each case, surrender wasn’t the end of the story; it was the beginning of a remarkable journey of faith.
Transformation Found in the Act of Surrender
So how can surrendering your desires transform your faith? Here are a few ways:
1. Surrender Opens You to God’s Best.
We often hold onto desires that, while seemingly good, might not be part of God’s bigger plan for us. Surrendering allows us to release those desires and open ourselves to the possibilities God has in store—possibilities that might be far greater than anything we could have imagined.
Imagine this: You’re desperately praying for a specific job promotion. In your mind, it’s the perfect opportunity—prestige, salary, and the chance to finally feel fulfilled. But what if God has something even better waiting for you? Perhaps a seemingly less glamorous role that turns out to be a steppingstone to your true calling. By surrendering your desire for the promotion, you open yourself to this unexpected path and the joy it can bring.
2. Surrender Reduces Stress and Anxiety.
Clinging to control creates a constant undercurrent of worry. “What if this doesn’t work out?” “What if I fail?” Surrender allows us to release that burden and trust that God is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28).
Think about it: You’re planning a big trip, meticulously crafting an itinerary to ensure everything goes perfectly. But what if your flight gets delayed, or your luggage is lost? Suddenly, your meticulously planned trip becomes a source of stress. Surrender reminds us that even when things don’t go according to our plan, God is still in control, and He can use even the detours for our benefit.
3. Surrender Deepens Your Relationship with God.
When we surrender, we acknowledge our dependence on God. We move from a place of self-reliance to a place of trust and vulnerability. This vulnerability allows us to experience God’s love and faithfulness in a deeper way.
Here’s an analogy: Imagine a child clinging tightly to his parent’s hand as they walk through a crowded market. The child feels safe and secure. But as the child trusts his parent more, he might loosen his grip and explore a little, knowing his parent is always there. Surrender is like that looser grip, a trusting exploration of faith that allows us to experience God’s presence in a more profound way.
4. Surrender Leads to Greater Peace.
Letting go of control allows us to experience true peace, even in uncertainty. We can trust that God knows what He’s doing, and that He will take care of us.
Think of it this way: You’re watching the waves crashing on the shore. No matter how much you might fight it, you can’t control the waves. But you can choose how you respond. You can tense up and resist the waves, or you can relax and enjoy the rhythmic power of the ocean. Surrender is like choosing to relax, accepting the waves of life with a sense of peace and trust.
Surrender as a Journey, Not a Destination.
There will be times when it feels easy, and times when it feels incredibly difficult. But the more we practice letting go and trusting God, the more we’ll experience the transformative power of surrender in our lives.
Here are some practical tips to help you embrace surrender:
- Spend time in prayer. Talk to God about your desires and anxieties. Ask Him to help you release your need for control and trust in His plan.
- Practice gratitude. Focusing on the good things in your life will help shift your perspective from lack to abundance.
- Lean into a daily practice of listening to meditations. Abide offers guided meditations and prompts to help you quiet your mind, open your heart to God’s will, and experience the transformative power of surrender in your faith journey.
Now listen to a short segment of this meditation from Abide based on Luke 9:23.
Let God take you deeper with this verse by downloading the Abide app. By starting a premium subscription you can experience the full-length version of this meditation and much more. Use this link for 25% off.
