“No! You can’t make me!” the child cried.
It’s true. God won’t make us surrender. He made us with a free will. However, our way simply doesn’t work. God knows that His way is best, and He doesn’t want us to miss out on all the great rewards or suffer the consequences of a disobedient life (see last blog and Deut 28).
Be assured He will work in your life to help you see that His way is the best. (Perhaps God will use this blog to help you do just that.)
So why don’t we surrender and walk through the door that leads to the abundant life Jesus promised?
1. We simply don’t want to submit!
We’re stubborn and prideful. We don’t like giving up control. We want to be the ones in charge. “It’s my life, isn’t it?” Not if you’re saved and bought with the precious blood of Christ!
2. We’re afraid of what God might ask us to do
That it’ll be something we don’t want to do or think we can do.
3. We’re in bondage to some sinful habit, and Satan is working hard to keep us there
4. We don’t trust God
We don’t believe His way is the best; we think we can do a better job than God.
5. It’s just too hard or don’t know how
Perhaps you tried before and failed.
6. We are unaware of the rewards awaiting us
7. We are unaware of what’s at stake
So how can we change and become more willing?
1. Know the One to whom you are surrendering
This is the biggest key in submitting to God. You are yielding to a good, powerful, loving, and all-wise God—not to a bunch of rules and regulations or to a mean selfish God.
2. Accept your position in relation to God
God is sovereign (i.e. in control) already! He is the Creator and Author of all things. Not you. God is worthy of your submission.
3. Choose to by an act of your will
Just do it! Do it to demonstrate sacrificial love to your Savior. In light of all that He has done for you it is a “rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship” (Rom 12:1 AMP).
4. Step out in faith
“Once I came to that point of surrender, God began to ignite faith in my heart–faith that He would enable me to do whatever He called me to do, in spite of my personal limitations and inadequacies.”1
5. Pray and ask God to help you
Ask God to change your heart.
Years ago when I became my mom’s caregiver I saw a time coming where she would need full-time care and I was afraid that would be me. But oh, I was not willing! And I hoped God would never ask me to do such a sacrificial thing!
Then I heard on Christian radio that in times like these we should pray, “Lord, make me willing to be willing.” So I prayed and it worked! When the time came to take my mom in to live with us, I was willing. I was able to surrender to God’s will because He had changed my heart to align with His.
6. Plug into a support system
We need other believers to keep our commitment to the Lord when discouraged.
7. Abide in Christ, the Vine
If you stay connected to your life Source, you will have everything you need to live a godly life, which certainly includes living a yielded one. (2 Pet 1:3)
Until next time, my friends, as you work toward surrendering your will to your faithful Lord, you will see
It really is the better best choice!
…Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:2)
P.S. Learn how to actually abide in Christ, the Vine from a plant’s point of view in my latest book!
Read the first 3 chapters for FREE!
1 DeMoss, Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness p 234
Except where indicated, Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture marked AMP is taken from Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
This Post Has 4 Comments
By the way, what if I am older than 50 years old. No articles talk about old people surrendering to God. How does it work for old people whose life is ruin and broke?
My heart goes out to you Ricky. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot of heartache in your life. However, all of us, in this fallen world, will have tribulation. But Like Jesus said in Jn 16:33, “but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Troubles are a result of sin, not from God. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and rose again, thereby giving us the free gift of eternal life. If you are born again, then you have the capability of being an overcomer. I am 70 years old. These truths from God’s Word work IF WE APPLY THEM, no matter if you’re young or old. I lost my soulmate at 58 years of age.
My audience isn’t only to us older folks and so I do not have any articles solely addressing 50+-year-olds.
My advice to you, Ricky is to focus on understanding WHO you are submitting to (Ways to change #1) and pray and ask God to change your heart (#5). Pray, “Lord, make me willing to be willing.” AND HE WILL!
P.S. I hope you will check out the other posts and free resources to help you in your walk with your wonderful Creator.
I find it very difficult to surrender although I see God’s hand in my life. I grew up in an emotionally abusive home and then married an emotionally and physically abusive husband. I basically lived in survival mode the majority of my life. I believe the trauma I have experienced makes it very difficult to submit. There is an overwhelming fear and anxiety attached to this submission that has become a stronghold. May God help me!
Dear Fola, I am so sorry you’ve lived with so much abuse and I understand why you have a hard time being submissive. I believe the biggest key for you to understand is that GOD IS NOT LIKE your father or husband. He is good, loving, and kind. He understands you–every part of you–and will help you submit to His way which is FAR FAR better than your way.
You are NOT surrendering to a bunch of rules and regulations or to a mean selfish God.
Here are 2 resources that may help you:
Blog- 5 Reasons Why God’s Way Is Best https://heisworthit.com/5-reasons-why-gods-way-is-best-2/
Book: On My Father’s Lap https://heisworthit.com/store/amazon/on-my-fathers-lap/ (in the store) this comes in pdf, audiobook or from amazon. If you contact me directly I will give you a 25% off coupon on any digital product bought in our store. Rose@heisworthit.com