Out of all the things I’ve done so far in my Christian walk, surrendering to God was the most challenging. Giving up control can be scary, but it is also rewarding. The moment when you feel the anxiety melt away is when you know you’ve received God’s promise of a peace that surpasses all understanding, as in Philippians 4:7.
In full transparency, it is because of surrendering that I’ve won the battle over depression, anxiety, and an addiction to pornography. It’s not easy to ‘let go and let God’, especially when it feels like the world is against you.
But again, this is why it is important to speak scriptural truth over your life. Jesus warned us in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
You see, people may not always understand what you’re going through, but I promise you that God does.
Merriam-Webster defines surrender as an act of giving up oneself or one’s will to some feeling or influence. But what does it truly mean to surrender to God?
When Should I Surrender?
If life is not going the way you want, whether because of your own choices or circumstances beyond your control, fear and worry become part of your everyday life. If you do everything you can within your power to correct your situation, but nothing you do seems to work, then this is your sign to surrender.
If you’re feeling worn out, tired, overwhelmed, frustrated, and angry, or if the thought of giving up has crossed your mind, then this is your sign to surrender.
If you realize you’ve started doing things you normally wouldn’t do to escape or cope, then this is your sign to surrender.
If you find yourself performing rituals to feel safe, if you’ve developed an addiction, if you’ve started self-harming, or if you’re battling suicidal thoughts regularly, then this is your sign to surrender.
Why Should I Surrender?
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
There is nothing worse than feeling powerless. Having to sit with a sense of helplessness or hopelessness leads to paralysis, causing you to avoid life and avoid making decisions. There is nothing worse than developing habits that bring a sense of temporary relief but that you know won’t change anything and will only do you more harm than good in the future.
It is in these moments that God’s divinity beckons you to release your grip on control and surrender to His infinite wisdom and grace. It is His guidance that will lead you through the storm.
What Does It Mean To Surrender?
In truth, the act of surrender is an act of faith. To release control to God requires trust. It also requires you to acknowledge that you are limited in your abilities.
Because of our meager understanding, we are inadequate and lousy at navigating life’s complexities on our own. It takes courage to place your life in God’s hands. It takes courage to confront your shortcomings and to acknowledge that you need His help.
But God will never hold that against you. He wants you to come to Him and surrender your burdens, fears, and desires into His loving embrace. God wants you to trust in His unwavering love and seek His guidance so that you may live a fulfilling and abundant life.
Jesus tells us this: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
At its core, surrendering to God involves releasing the need for control. Surrendering is not about giving up; rather, it is about letting go of the burdens that weigh us down. If you are full of this world, what room does God have to work in your life?
What Happens If I Don’t Surrender?
The longer we hold on, the heavier the burden becomes. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and have repented for your sins and asked for His forgiveness, then naturally, the next step of your journey would be to surrender.
You cannot be the old you and expect to live a new life. If you’re filled with pride, ego, and self-reliance, the process of surrender may be more painful. Holding on will only perpetuate a cycle of struggle, stress, and discontentment.
You will begin to feel disconnected from God. It is important to realize that surrender looks different for everyone, but it is also important to know that if we choose to suppress truth with wickedness, God will give us over to our desires.
“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.” Romans 1:24 NLT
What Does Surrender Feel Like?
Contrary to what you may believe, surrender brings about a profound sense of peace. It is not a weakness. There is a far greater plan at play. If you find yourself clinging to your desires and expectations, trying to orchestrate every aspect of your life, you will never understand true freedom.
Just as a potter must first break down the clay before shaping it into something beautiful, God may need to break down your pride and self-righteousness before He can mold you into the person He created you to be.
Surrendering can feel a lot like being crushed. It’s a sensation that will leave you feeling raw, as if everything is stripped from you. In these vulnerable moments, you feel exposed and like you’ve hit rock bottom. But it is better for you to feel this way than to grapple with increased anxiety and stress, strained relationships, stagnation and frustration, and missed opportunities.
Refusing to let go can be costly to you and those around you, especially if you manifest behavior that is controlling over others. Not only will you create a disconnect between yourself and others, but a disconnect between yourself and God.
It is in this place of brokenness and emptiness that God can begin His transformative work within you. When you’ve been emptied of your desires, plans, and ambitions, you create a space within yourself for God to fill.
Final Thoughts
Feeling empty isn’t necessarily a negative thing; it can be a powerful catalyst for spiritual growth.
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 NV
It’s a humbling process, but one that ultimately leads to greater intimacy with God and a deeper understanding of His love and grace.
So, if you find yourself feeling crushed, empty, and broken, take heart—you’re in the perfect position for God to do His most miraculous work within you.
Surrendering may feel like the end, but in reality, it’s just the beginning of a journey toward greater faith, hope, and transformation. Trust in God’s plan, and allow Him to mold you into the masterpiece He intended you to be.