As I reflect back over this past year of my life I've learned a ton about surrendering. And as soon as I surrender in one area of my life, I find myself at peace with the 'just' so long...and then God shows me another area that needs a good look.
The biggest thing I've learned is that surrendering isn't passive. It's also not about giving up. Surrendering is all about trust. Trusting God completely. It's faith that He is who He says He is. Faith that all His promises are true. Faith that He has my ultimate best in mind always. Even when I think it might hurt. He doesn't promise us a perfect life or a pain free life, but we certainly have joy & peace available to us even during the difficult times.
I'm not a trusting person by nature. Optimistic, but not completely trusting (I know---that's an odd combination). And I've had to lay down a lot at His feet this year. Myself. To really evaluate if He was first in my life. He wasn't. Pride. Funny how I didn't realize that was an issue. Not boastful proud, but caring WAY too much what 'others' thought. The hardest of all though is to give our families completely to God. I know that sounds crazy---surely I dedicated my children to the Lord long ago. Baptized even. But to me that was more of a promise on my part to do my best to raise them in a Godly way. Surrendering them meant to let go and really release them to God. Especially at times when I knew that by their own actions and/or choices they could really be hurt---physically, emotionally, socially. Ouch! The last thing we want is for anyone we love to be hurt. However, sometimes something that hurts terribly for a short time brings a healthier life. I hated taking my kids for immunizations. Hated hearing them cry. Dreaded taking them once they figured out what was coming. It hurt. Blood curdling screams sometimes. But it also protected them from other things.
Greater, more harmful things.
I will say that God has proven himself faithful over and over. When we surrender the picture in our mind of how we think things should be, we have the opportunity to explore how God wants things to be. And His ways are so much better than my ways. If I'd just learn faster. Trust more. Surrender more completely.
It does get easier to recognize God's voice. And when He shows me 'another' area "we" need to work on, it's much clearer now. I'd like to say it's easier, but I'm not sure it is. There are still things that I tend to want to hang onto sometimes. Tightly. But one finger at a time he gently coaxes me into letting go---and without a clenched fist I realize the fear has left and my hands are open wide to my Saviour.
The biggest thing I've learned is that surrendering isn't passive. It's also not about giving up. Surrendering is all about trust. Trusting God completely. It's faith that He is who He says He is. Faith that all His promises are true. Faith that He has my ultimate best in mind always. Even when I think it might hurt. He doesn't promise us a perfect life or a pain free life, but we certainly have joy & peace available to us even during the difficult times.
I'm not a trusting person by nature. Optimistic, but not completely trusting (I know---that's an odd combination). And I've had to lay down a lot at His feet this year. Myself. To really evaluate if He was first in my life. He wasn't. Pride. Funny how I didn't realize that was an issue. Not boastful proud, but caring WAY too much what 'others' thought. The hardest of all though is to give our families completely to God. I know that sounds crazy---surely I dedicated my children to the Lord long ago. Baptized even. But to me that was more of a promise on my part to do my best to raise them in a Godly way. Surrendering them meant to let go and really release them to God. Especially at times when I knew that by their own actions and/or choices they could really be hurt---physically, emotionally, socially. Ouch! The last thing we want is for anyone we love to be hurt. However, sometimes something that hurts terribly for a short time brings a healthier life. I hated taking my kids for immunizations. Hated hearing them cry. Dreaded taking them once they figured out what was coming. It hurt. Blood curdling screams sometimes. But it also protected them from other things.
Greater, more harmful things.
I will say that God has proven himself faithful over and over. When we surrender the picture in our mind of how we think things should be, we have the opportunity to explore how God wants things to be. And His ways are so much better than my ways. If I'd just learn faster. Trust more. Surrender more completely.
It does get easier to recognize God's voice. And when He shows me 'another' area "we" need to work on, it's much clearer now. I'd like to say it's easier, but I'm not sure it is. There are still things that I tend to want to hang onto sometimes. Tightly. But one finger at a time he gently coaxes me into letting go---and without a clenched fist I realize the fear has left and my hands are open wide to my Saviour.
1 comment:
I know this is an old post but... what a great one. Surrender -- one of the hardest things to do, but one of the most freeing things you can do. Funny thing... it can be a daily process.
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