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In case you missed last week’s episode, “Episode 33: Praying During Desperate Times”, you can find that episode here. Today’s episode, “Episode 34: Surrender”, is covering the topic of surrender.
Episode 34: Surrender Podcast Outline
- What is surrender?
- What does surrender look like?
- How I Am Learning to Surrender
- Podcast Transcript
Surrender
When you think of surrender, you think of yielding, giving up control, crying “Uncle”, giving in, waving the flag. Surrender has a negative connotation, but it can have a positive outcome when it’s done in the proper context.
If we had the choice, there are some trials that we just wouldn’t sign up for. However, God gives us these trials in order to refine us like gold. These trials will show that our faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold: So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:7, NLT)
One of the worst things that we can do is to think that we have it all under control. The devil tricks us into thinking that we can fix problems on our own, and that we just have to figure out the right plan, or perhaps we just didn’t do something “enough”. A very tender spot for any mother’s heart is their children. Oh, how I wish that I could take away the pain and effects from trauma that my kids have endured over the last five years. However, this isn’t possible. No matter how old they are, our kids’ issues stay on our hearts. However, if we don’t surrender these very issues to God, then we find ourselves emotionally, mentally, and spiritually drained. Of course, because of the mind-body connection, these issues then takes a turn on the fourth area: physical. They can literally eat us alive with immobility and heaviness of heart. I have just recently had my moment of realizing that my kids will have to have their own journey of healing. I can support them. However, I can’t take on the responsibility of doing the work for them. It hinders them from growth, and the ability to get clarity on their own.
Surrender is not a once in a lifetime thing. If only it was that easy. It is daily. In Luke 9: 23, Christ tells us: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (ESV) Focusing on God and his promises helps us in this journey called life.
Dear God,
Thank you for the shining beauty that comes from our trials when we are refined. Thank you that we can take all of our burdens and our kids’ burdens and lay them down at your feet. Please help us to understand that surrender is a daily thing, and that we have to put our trust in you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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