Thursday, February 6, 2014

What Does It REALLY Mean to Surrender?

Does surrender mean we wave the white flag in defeat?  Come out of the castle we have been defending with our hands high in the air?  Lie face down on the ground praying we won't be killed?

I have often wrestled with surrendering, alternatively angry and fearful.  Angry at Him for demanding it, requiring that I walk on His path and not my own.  And afraid of the unknown.  Although the current place may not be perfect, at least I know it.  I am familiar with the ropes.  No surprises here.  I can keep everything under good control.

But surrender is a leap into the unknown.  Will He really catch me before I hit the bottom?

Yes, surrender means we come out of the castle we have been defending.  The castle of idolatry of our plan, our way.  And no, we don't need to pray that He won't slay us in anger, for He is all grace, and His mercy triumphs over judgment.

To me, surrender is laying aside my plan -- which seems good and comfortable and right -- for His better plan -- which is completely obscured from my eyes.  I mean, if I knew a better plan, wouldn't I be on it? Can I really trust that there could be a better plan?

The most fascinating thing about surrender is that surrender to the Lord is actually victory.  It is His triumph of lordship in my heart, and it is always a vastly better path than I had chosen.  Sometimes, the "vastly better" about it is not obvious for a while.  But the deeper and deeper I surrender to Him, the more I am able to trust that His way is absolutely for my good.

What are your thoughts on surrender?  I invite you to share with me.

13 comments:

  1. I have a deep and rich love for God and His Son Jesus Christ. I have surrendered many areas of my life that are in His hands. BUT, I know this lack of complete peace, this wrestling, is because I'm scared, scared to let go. Although I'm very grateful for the many blessings, despite all of the challenges, I can't help but fear that another crisis or tragedy is waiting right around the corner. I am still healing. I want to fully believe and trust that He is working out everything for my good (and my husband Nick); however, I do have my doubts, due to everything I've been through. As I wrote the last line, I thought of something. That's just it. He's gotten me THROUGH time and time again! There is the heart of what keeps me going. It's not easy. It requires great endurance and obedience. Yet, my experience with Christ and the promises of His Word give me the FAITH to keep pushing through. I often say that when I can't push through, He will carry me through!

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    1. Cristina, you are so attuned to His Spirit - He was speaking to you even as you wrote, and you heard Him!
      You are so right - we cannot create trust, nor will it appear overnight. Deep true abiding trust in God is developed as He walks with us through the storms and tragedies of our lives. As He proves Himself faithful and trustworthy to us personally and repeatedly in our individual pains and trials. As we see the outcome of each trial is undeniably for our good -- and for His glory.
      It seems to me that as I beg Him to grow my trust in Him, the path to that deeper trust is inevitably through trials and valleys. I think we are fooling ourselves if we believe we are able to trust Him, never having needed to trust Him for much in the past.
      Love your Scripture verses. Immersing in them will bring great comfort, strength, and deeper understanding of Him who gave His everything for us.

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    2. Amen! Thank you for your reply. I especially love the part you wrote where it reads...


      "It seems to me that as I beg Him to grow my trust in Him, the path to that deeper trust is inevitably through trials and valleys. I think we are fooling ourselves if we believe we are able to trust Him, never having needed to trust Him for much in the past."


      It is so true and reminds me of what Dr. Charles Stanley once said. There's Joyce Meyer who I call momma Joyce and then I call him grandpa Stanley. Too bad they don't even know I'm a part of their family lol! Anyways, what he said was, "what is faith without it being tested?"

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    3. Yes, so right. Faith without being tested is not real faith; it is only words.

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  2. Here are some verses that help me turnaround my thoughts of fear and work towards surrendering the areas which I am still trying to control.


    ***[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP

    ***Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV


    ***For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP


    ***Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. Philippians 4:6-9 AMP




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  3. wow Christina and Celeste, thank you for sharing these thoughts. The more trials, the more we learn to trust. I love these verses, I'm going to hold onto these tightly as we walk this journey together. I feel so privileged to know you ladies.

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    1. Thank you and you're welcome, Lori! We are so blessed to learn from and grow with each other during this part of our journey, especially with Celeste as our truly anointed leader.

      I see a lot of light in you! As you heal more and more, I pray God will continue to let it SHINE! :D

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    2. And I am equally honored to know both of you, and all the women in the class. You are encouraging me and inspiring me, as you cling to Him in the deepest of pain.

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    3. Thank you SO much! That means A LOT to me!

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  4. Christina, you so put a smile on my face today and every day I see you, I feel that same way about you. We have a job to do to bring others to know our Lord and Savior in a deep personal relationship that we are growing and learning. I'm honored as well to walk this path with all of the ladies. I'm learning so much from all of you! I don't dread Tuesday's anymore :)

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    1. Amen!! That is very sweet and I thank you for sharing that with me! I definitely look forward to our time all together on Tuesday's as well! xoxo

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  5. Oswald Chambers nails it:

    "The things we try to avoid and fight against--tribulation, suffering, and persecution--are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. 'We are more than conquerors through Him' 'in all these things'; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. ... And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to 'separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord'"

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  6. I need to be very wary of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits that may result. For example, "I’m going to surrender because I want to be delivered from __________." My motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain. Instead the motive should be wanted to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

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