Daily Surrender that Steadies Us in the Storms of Life
Some days feel heavier than others, when it seems like everything that can go wrong does. Then there are days in which unexpected moments knock us off our feet altogether, and we’re left figuring out how to pick ourselves up again.
It might be an ill family member, the car not starting in the morning, or an additional bill in the mail. These abrupt incidents throw our whole routine off and cause discomfort or suffering.
Sometimes life seems like a continuous tidal wave washing over us and pulling us deeper and deeper into the sea. And in these moments, it's normal to think to ourselves, “What happened and how did I get here?”
This was my life for so long, being knocked over by every wave. I was caring for a sick parent and a younger sibling, working purposeless jobs, struggling within my mind and with personal needs and desires that weren’t being met. Plus, I was climbing a mountain of debt, wondering how I got to a place filled with disorder.
I looked to God constantly, asking why He allowed the storm to overwhelm me. After wrestling for a while, His answer was clear—surrender.
Daily surrender. Day in and day out.
It sounds simple, and is a principle most of us are familiar with, but is more difficult to live out. The beautiful thing about God is that He recognizes our efforts and never seeks perfection from us. So we get the opportunity to surrender to Him daily.
But we don’t surrender out of religious habit, no. We surrender to demonstrate having a true relationship with God. It’s a privilege to partner with Him in our journey. Daily surrender is another way to deepen our connection with the Lord plus strengthen our mind, body, and spirit.
Surrender all parts of your life every day.
Surrender your home, your marriage, your kids, your job, your responsibilities, your health, and your mind. Surrender any and everything that is connected to you. Without a complete surrender, you’re left carrying a weight that you were never meant to handle alone.
Maybe the storm has overtaken you because you were fighting it on your own instead of asking the Creator of the storm how to coexist with the storm. That may seem strange at first, learning how to co-habitate with what’s trying to drown you, but this isn’t a new concept.
Jesus promised us an abundant life, but He also promised us a physical life that would be filled with trouble (John 16:33). Don't let your conflict and inability to surrender cause you unnecessary suffering. Sometimes storms we face will grow into larger storms because we enter them with the wrong mindset and fight with the wrong methods.
Finding ways to surrender is simple.
Look for moments to worship, hum, sing (however softly or loudly you want), dance, praise--everywhere! Whether at home, the car, kitchen, during the kid's nap time, waiting for grocery pick up, while taking a walk, make wherever you are an environment for God to become a permanent tenant. Praise and worship put us in a place of vulnerability and intimacy with the Father. What better way to practice surrender than petitioning the Lord through your sound and movement.
Prayer is another key component to daily surrendering, and it doesn’t have to be a long, loud, or laborious prayer. It can be a battle just verbalizing what we need amid trouble, and I firmly believe that God honors even the mumbled sounds we produce as a cry for help and relief. Even writing a sentence can be a prayer. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just make it a habit. The storms are bound to show up, but they don’t have to engulf you. You may never know how long a storm will be present, but before you take any steps or make any decisions about the process, breathe and surrender.
Prayer for you:
Lord, I surrender all pieces of my life to you. I give my plans, my motives, my family and community, my emotions, all problems, and circumstances, back to you. Only You can provide peace and wholeness, and I ask that you saturate my life with Your presence and glory. Help me find joy and comfort while I surrender daily and live at ease in the midst of any disturbances. In Jesus' name, Amen.
