“The enemy knows that without surrender, we will never experience the freedom that God offers us.”
Katherine J Walden
One of the biggest lies the enemy feeds us is that freedom is a result of doing what we want to do. True freedom comes from following Jesus and surrendering to God’s will. To surrender means “to yield to the power, control, or possession of another.” We’re encouraged to, “Submit yourselves, then, to God” (James 4:7a). We’re more likely to submit to God when we choose to trust God’s wisdom over our own. God wants our hearts yielded to Him, to give us freedom, not to hold us captive.
God has been training me to surrender to Him in two areas that have held me captive: sleep and responsibility. I used to be anxious when I woke up too early in the morning, wondering how I was going to make it through the day. Because I’ve seen God provide me with the energy and focus, I need for each day, I now am at peace, no longer fighting the early morning get-ups. Instead of trusting myself to be responsible, He has pried my fingers off the hold of control. I have transferred my trust into His ability and power knowing God is THE Responsible One.
God has shown me that freedom comes as I surrender what I want and what I think is best and more fully place my trust in Him. It’s when I fight against His will and ways that angst and anxiety occur. But when I lay down my desires and ‘rights’ that’s when I experience His peace.
We need to trust God to possess an intimate relationship with Him and to experience spiritual formation. Throughout my life, God repeatedly asks me one question, “Do you trust Me?” Surrendering to God’s will and His ways is how we demonstrate that we trust Him. Our intimacy with God is dependent upon how often we surrender to Him, as well as our oneness and becoming more Christ-like are correlated with submitting our will to His.
A life yielded to God seeks and asks Him what His desires are for our lives. Surrendering to God means we keep one ear cocked to the Holy Spirit’s whispers to heed His guidance and direction. Surrender is shown by our affections submitted to His Lordship.
There is a tug-of-war within our hearts between who or what we love more – God or ourselves, our idols or Yahweh. God wants His heart to trump our heart’s desire.
“Our lack of full surrender limits God's ability to both work in our lives and through our lives.”
Katherine J Walden
Relevant Reflection:
In what area(s) of your life do you need to surrender to God?
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