31 Mar I Surrender All
Control. I love to be in control of things. My life, my schedule, my house. Control is something that you can probably relate to struggling with.
5 years started the path of desiring to expand our family. From the very beginning of our journey we decided not to pursue medical intervention, but in August 2013, the word surrender took on a whole new meaning for us.
“Me, surrender?”
It was then that the Lord called us to stop trying to make pregnancy happen. Not tracking, timing, charting or seeking medical intervention is what surrender has looked like for us.
When I initially hear the word surrender, I think of war or maybe even a wrestling match where one team or one side decides to yield to the other. Before moving forward, I wanted to share the definition of surrender, which is “to give (oneself) up into the power of another; to yield to the power, control of another.”
Isn’t surrendering ultimately what God called you to do with your whole life? When you surrender your will, your way, your desires and your plans to him it’s your way of saying, “Lord, I trust you and know that your ways are better than mine.” Matthew 16:24-25 says, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Isn’t denying yourself the act of surrendering?
The topic of surrender also reminds me of the hymn with theses lyrics:
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
Surrender isn’t meant to be done with a bad attitude and surrender isn’t meant to bring upon anger or bitterness when done so. Just as the lyric above says you are to “freely give.” I believe true surrender brings on a whole new sense of trust in the Lord, but it also brings the gift of peace and freedom, a gift that can only come from him.
What is something that you have clung to tightly that you are ready to surrender? What will it take to surrender to him? Will you choose to love and trust God? Will you choose to live in his presence daily?
The best thing that Colby and I could have done is surrender our plans and desires all to God. Whatever you are clinging to today, I encourage you to do the same; surrender it all to him. It’s not going to happen in your own strength, but with Jesus, you will be able to freely give to him what is already his.
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Nicole
Posted at 08:51h, 31 MarchYours and Colby’s surrender is a true testimony to your faith and obedience to Christ. I so admire that, and am constantly inspired by the two of you. Over the last several weeks I have really changed my prayers and perspective on my struggles with OCD to be more surrendering to what God’s plans are for my life.
Meghan
Posted at 09:00h, 31 MarchWe also decided not to use medical intervention and stopped charting several years ago. It had become so stressful and calculated. Surrendering is not easy but it does take the weight off of you. It’s in God’s hands, and who has better hands that He? Thank you for sharing your story. You and your husband are in my prayers.
Rebecca Jo
Posted at 09:56h, 31 MarchOld school hymn there – love it.
Yep… I struggle so hard to give up that control & just let God do his thang… I am so envious of people that have that sense of trust & faith. They just seem so much more relaxed & stress free. As it should be.
Cassie
Posted at 09:58h, 31 MarchI was just telling a friend yesterday about how much I admire your path of surrendering. Our miscarriage was a big reminder of my need to surrender so many things in my own life, and honestly, I am SO grateful I have been able to do that (well… it’s a daily thing).
C. Shu
Posted at 11:01h, 31 MarchAlways so inspired by you and your willingness to completely surrender to your faith!
Patricia
Posted at 09:58h, 01 AprilTrue surrender is a challenge especially when you struggle with control. I find myself in this place often but I know true surrender in Christ is always the way to go!
Kristy
Posted at 05:51h, 02 AprilThis is beautifully said. It’s hard to give up what we think our dreams should look like, but we have the assurance that His are better. I look at all you have done and are doing during this season to help others. This time of waiting is not being squandered. God is using you to further the Kingdom in amazing ways, all over the world. I know you’d rather just go tell people about the love of Jesus but the ways that you are connecting with these women wouldn’t be possible without your journey. Thank you for your submission, willingness, and obedience. ?