Sometimes, life gets overwhelming and feels like we have to control everything to keep things from falling apart. What if I tell you that there is freedom in letting go? That is where the idea of surrendering all comes in. Surrendering to God means giving up the need to handle everything yourself, and trusting Him with your life. Although it appears simple; it is not always easy!
Surrendering to God does not mean giving up in defeat. It is more like handing over the steering wheel to someone who knows the road better than you do. If I may ask, who knows better than God? Proverbs 3:5-6 puts it perfectly: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” When you surrender, you are saying, *“God, I trust You more than I trust myself.”* It is about believing that God knows what is best for us, even when we do not understand what is happening. Jesus calls us to give up control because He knows what we truly need. Matthew 16:24-25 says, *“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”* It sounds paradoxical - losing your life to find it? When we stop controlling everything and trust God, we discover the freedom to live the life He has planned for us. It is like unclenching our fists and realizing how much lighter we feel without holding unto all our worries. If there is anyone who showed us how to surrender, it is Jesus Christ. Before He went to the cross, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew the suffering that was ahead, but He still surrendered to God’s will, saying, *“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done”* (Lk. 22:42). Jesus did not just talk about surrender - He lived it. Even though it was difficult, He trusted His Father completely. We now have the gift of salvation because He surrendered to His Father’s will. When we surrender all to God, we are not losing anything – we are gaining peace (Phil. 4:6-7). Instead of worrying and trying to figure out everything ourselves, we can give our concerns to God and trust Him to handle them. We get His peace in exchange for our worries. Surrender is not a one-time thing, but a daily decision to trust God, even when things do not go according to our plans. Every day, we have the choice to hold on to our plans or surrender them to God.
Surrendering all to God is not about losing – it is about gaining. The next time you feel overwhelmed or unsure, remember to let go and let God. Trust Him. Surrender it all, and watch how God works in your life! God bless you. *SHALOM*
