Throughout the Girl, Surrender writing process I realized surrender has always been a theme in my life. At 7-years-old, I gave my life to Christ at my aunt’s church during a youth event. I remember gigantic wrestlers performing stunts and talking about their relationships with God. Although I don’t remember any of their messages, I …
Throughout the Girl, Surrender writing process I realized surrender has always been a theme in my life. At 7-years-old, I gave my life to Christ at my aunt’s church during a youth event. I remember gigantic wrestlers performing stunts and talking about their relationships with God. Although I don’t remember any of their messages, I recall a feeling that I’ve felt through several different occasions in my life– a tugging in my heart very similar to the constant pull I felt when wrestling with whether or not to write the devotional. Much like my writing experience, accepting Christ was a fight even at such a young age. Totally mesmerized by the mens’ colossal stature and strength I felt both inspired and intimidated as I walked to the alter at the end of the service. How could these mountains of men know someone even stronger and more powerful than themselves? Every time I reflect back on that day, I learn something new. Here are a few things I’ve learned about surrender:
1. Surrender is strength in disguise:
In a world that associates control with power, surrender can feel like giving up. It is not. Surrender is giving God full control. That’s why surrender is so difficult. It takes great strength. I’ll never forget my 7-year-old self being so sure and so uncertain all at the same time. The tugging in my heart was so intense. Although I didn’t fully understand it, that was where the battle for my very soul and life began. Little did I know, I’d be wrestling with surrender for the rest of my life.
2. Surrender is a lifestyle:
And what do we know about lifestyles? Lifestyles are maintained by work. Surrender requires making one intentional choice after another to allow God to lead the way despite anxiety making you feel as though you need to claim control. Surrender is about releasing our will for His even when the path forward is foggy. When I gave my life to Christ, I had no idea what surrender meant. Looking back I see how that first instance of surrender set a precedent for what is still sometimes a struggle almost thirty years later.
3. Surrender creates space for peace:
Surrender releases us from striving. When I surrender to God, I’m no longer responsible for the outcome. I first learned this when I began blogging and was worried about amassing followers. I felt as though God wanted me to share what He was teaching me and not water down my message to gain popularity. This gave me peace and allowed me to focus on work and relieved me of worry.
Although surrender remains a struggle for me, I am certain that it is the best thing that I can do in any situation that life throws my way. Girl, Surrender serves as a note to myself and constant reminder that surrendering to God has never failed me. Are you wrestling with surrender? If so, Girl Surrender could be a resource just for you, find it here: bit.ly/girlsurrender. I pray it blesses you!
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