What Does Surrender Look Like For You?

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Yesterday, in the church I was visiting, we sang “Everything and Nothing Less”, by Chris McClarney. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwigGh11x-Q

The words hit home because the night before, I lay in bed struggling to surrender my worries. Ever been there? Of course you have.

 

It seems to me, and this is not very profound, that when I am especially tired, worry haunts me. It comes like a thief in the night robbing me of sleep. Jesus’ thought provoking question convicts me to the core, “Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Or for that matter, a single hour of sleep?) (Matthew 6:27). His question is so simple yet so profound.

 

As I lay awake the other night, wrestling with Jesus” question, I pulled out the tools I’ve used many times before in my journey to surrender worry.

 

  • Praise. When I praise God for His goodness, love and faithfulness, my heart follows more readily with trust. The Holy Spirit reminds me that though I might feel fear, God is good and trustworthy. When my heart is filled with trust, it’s easier to open my hands and surrender.
  • Emergency verses. When worry is strangling me I force my mind to go to the emergency verses I’ve memorized, Verses like: Psalm 46, Psalm 91:1-2, Philippians 2:5-11 and others. Two things happen by rehearsing scripture in my mind; 1. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to give me courage. 2. I am distracted from my worry and forced to shift my focus to the Almighty One.
  • A Trip Down Memory Lane. When worry is upending my trust I intentionally remember how God has moved in the past. By recalling His faithfulness in the past I am strengthened to trust Him with the present and the future.

 

Yesterday, as I sang the words to the song, “Everything and Nothing Less”, I made this my prayer, “Lord, I open my hands. Take everything; every worry, every fear, every desire and every dream. I believe you are good and what you do is good. I can trust you with my kids, my grandkids, my hopes and my dreams. Thank you that I can rest in you.”

 

What is one thing you often worry about? What does surrender look like for you?

3 Responses

  1. Elaine
    | Reply

    I started using the word concern rather than worry. Worry can paralyze us and it is like sitting in a rocking chair. Concerns make us do something. My concerns focus on the aging process and the challenges. Yes, scripture is vital.

  2. MaryLou Auckland
    | Reply

    Dealing wth this now. It’s so easy to recite the verse “Cast all your care on Him” but really hard to make it happen. Renewing my mind and bringing it back to His promises is what it takes for me. Thanks for your words of encouragement.

  3. Gail Cooper
    | Reply

    So, so good!!
    Many a night have I laid in my bed wide awake with worry
    I will be putting these in my tool box!
    Thank you my friend!
    Xo Gail

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