Struggling with Surrender

All of us who try to live for Jesus, struggle with surrender at moments in our lives. Surrender to God is not a ‘one time and done’ but a life-long journey. There are times we easily surrender and then we grapple with surrender. I would think that those who do not struggle with surrender to God have already made a dwelling on the other side, in the land of rebellion. If you are struggling, congratulations! At least you are trying.

I think I am a simple man. I like to simplify rather than complicate an issue. In the process, I may at times oversimplify something. I really do not like to quibble over words, but rather concentrate on concepts to live by. So here is my take on struggling with surrender.

I think when people fail to surrender to God, there is one of two main problems at fault. One is outright rebellion where one has the attitude of, “God is not going to tell me what to do.” The other is a lack of faith or trust in God. I would prefer to err with the last one than rebellion which puts a person on the same lane as the devil.

When the Holy Spirit is urging us toward an action and we have some anxiety about its outcome, we struggle with surrender. Our thinking is clouded by fear or concern when we should understand that God always leads us in the right direction, yet we still struggle. Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak.

I am encouraged but also ashamed when I read Abraham’s account of offering his only son as a sacrifice. He immediately obeyed God and proceeded to offer his son. Thankfully, God intervened and provided an alternative sacrifice instead of Isaac. Abraham was not expecting a substitute sacrifice, he believed God was able to raise Isaac from the dead. When reading this account, I know I would have had more hesitation than Abraham.

Hebrews 11:17-19 NKJV
(17)  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
(18)  of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called,"
(19)  concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Here are a few things I have learned about surrender:

• God often calls us to do something at the worst time and in a difficult circumstance. Ask Moses about that.
• God knows the end from the beginning, but we walk in the present, hurt by the past, and afraid of the future. Ask Saul, later called Paul about that.
• Obeying God sometimes looks foolish to everyone around us. Ask Joshua and Caleb about that.
• We need to learn to discern God’s true voice over all the other voices in our head including our voice. Ask Balaam about that.
• A good idea may not be God’s plan. God’s plan may not sound like the best idea. Ask Gideon about that.
• If you obey God, you will inevitably disappoint people. Ask anyone who has obeyed God about that.
• Looking back, we can see where we messed up, by missing or dismissing the voice of God. Ask Harry Whitt about that!

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I encourage you to develop a relationship with God through the study of His Word, personal worship, and a consistent life of prayer so you will recognize the voice of Holy Spirit. Expect His voice, listen to His voice, dismiss the other voices, and obey the urging of Holy Spirit.

Blessed travels on your Journey with Jesus.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt