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Is God asking you to do something that you just don’t want to do? Has He allowed a major difficulty in your life that you just can’t accept? You feel miserable. The issue is ever before you—always on your mind. There’s a battle of the wills going on—yours versus God’s. That lack of peace and “where is God?” feeling is the Holy Spirit exerting pressure on you to submit to the better way—His. |
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Why is God’s Way Better?
Because He knows it’s the only way you can:
- Change and become more like Jesus.
- Have true freedom and live the abundant life.
- Resist the devil (Jas 4:7).
- Produce eternal fruit for His Kingdom.
- Experience deep intimacy with Him (1 Pet 5:5).
Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. (Job 22:21)
God’s ways are always better because He is all-knowing, wise, good, loves us and has our best interest at heart. As Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth often quotes:
“If we knew what God knew we would want what He wants.”
Once you truly understand His character you won’t mind yielding as much. So here are…
10 Tips to Help You Submit to God
1. Remember God is the One really in control
2. You belong to God
Jesus bought you with His precious blood (1 Cor 6:20). When you accepted Jesus as your Savior, you relinquished your rights over to your Redeemer. But take heart—He’s a wonderful and kind Master!
3. When it’s hard to submit do it as an act of sacrificial love (Rom 12:1)
4. Be like Jesus who was submissive to His Father
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7)
5. Ask God for help
Pray: “Lord, make me willing to be willing.” God will answer that prayer. I don’t know how, but somehow—supernaturally—God will help you surrender your will to align with His. He has done this for me many times.
6. Keep eternity in mind
Don’t love the things of this world (1 Jn 2:15).
“Hold everything [even loved ones] in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”
~Corrie ten Boom
7. Understand your desperate need of God
When you know you can’t do anything worthwhile or right without the Lord…
It’ll be easier to concede when you know your desperate need!
8. Cooperate with God (=working together with )
When you let God be the Driver of your life, He doesn’t throw you out of the car! You get to go along for the thrill ride of your life without crashing or going the wrong way!
9. Understand that surrender is not a 1-time event that happens when you decide to follow Jesus
Rather it is an attitude of humble submission admitting your need of God for salvation and everything else—even your very breath. It begins on your spiritual birthday and continues throughout your walk with Jesus.
“It’s a posture of living in relationship with God ready to hand everything and anything over to God. It’s learning not to hesitate or hold back but move forward in obedience.”1
10. Know that fighting against God is a losing battle!
“Be still [cease striving] and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” (Ps 46:10)
My friend, it is worth submitting to God. Living life our way only leads to misery and unfulfillment. God’s way leads to the abundant life. Come to that place of acceptance. You won’t regret it—I promise; better yet He promises!
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. (Deut 28:2 ESV)
Helpful Resources
5 Reasons Why God’s Way is Best
Rights—What Rights? Do We Truly Deserve a Break Today?
Submission: A Beautiful Word
Surrender Article series
Except where indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV. ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.(ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.