The first step in overcoming any kind of situation that holds us down, bringing about limitations of any sort in our thoughts, mind body and spirit is to surrender to God our maker, who is able put things right.
In Psalm 32:8-9 (TPT) He gave a promise as follows:
I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before.”
Living a life surrendered to God means acknowledging His sovereignty, seeking to live in accordance with His will, and trusting in His guidance and provision. This surrender involves placing God at the center of your life and allowing His principles to shape your thoughts, actions, and decisions.
This may sound easy and simple as naratted, but anyone who is sincere with himself or herself will acknowledge that the natural mind of a carnal mind is not shaped to live a trusting and surrenderred life. This is primarily due to the fallen nature of man inherited from Adam.
In considering the characteristics of the fallen man or rather the nature of the natural (Adamic) man, that is the man that fell short of the glory of God and yet to be regenerated nor transformed in Christ, what we see amongst other traits of such, an inherent sense of self sufficiency, trust in personal and natural wisdom and intellect, resources and network of men, achievement in academics or business endeavour and so on.
In the Bible, the concept of surrender is deeply intertwined with faith, obedience, and trust. The following Bible references that highlight the significance of living a surrendered life:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This verse emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s wisdom and submitting to His guidance.
2. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This passage calls for us believers in Christ Jesus to present ourselves as living sacrifices, surrendering our lives to God and allowing transformation through His truth. Living a life of Sin is an evidence of a life not surrendering to God.
Where our surrendering starts is when we surrender our fleshly living to God in repentance and set mind to desire living for Him in holiness and truth.
We must learn to surrender our bodies, faculty and ambition to the Spirit of God, then we will experience a trun around unto a glorious future in God beyond physical prosperity but life full of righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
3. Galatians 2:20 (NIV) – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This verse speaks to the truth of us surrendering our lives to Christ to live in alignment with His purpose and will. This alignment requires that we discern by our knowledge of His mode of dealings with us to become like Him in living and to be obedience to the revealed Truth in the Person of Christ, His Purpose for which we ought to live, His Principles fr life and godliness as well as reliance on His Power for all round fruitfulness.
4. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This verse encourages prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide for our needs when we seek Him first. In doing this, we will pursue only Kingdom driven agenda even in the secular things of life, but now handled by a Kingdom minded fellow.
5. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Surrendering to God involves surrendering our worries and anxieties to Him, trusting in His peace and provision.
Living a life surrendered to God involves continual prayer, seeking His will through His Word, and allowing His Spirit to guide and empower you. It also encompasses aligning your values, priorities, and actions with God’s principles and serving others in love, humility, and compassion.
My personal testimony on living a life of surrender is that of a help by God to recognise my need of Him as a young man. Having been raised by a single mother and limited in many ways which could give a promising future, my heart was drawn to God the father by exposure to Church and the gospel and hence, I learnt early to trust God to work things out for me and for my good.
Even though I was not born again when I was refused Visa to study abroad twice back in year 2001, I believed God knew better, I got a job without interview as secondary school certificate holder with confidence in my heart that God was leading me somewhere, I learnt to surrender to God in my willingness and readiness to marry as reflected in my attitude when my suppossed prayer partner went behind me to propose to my wife today whom I received of God as His will for me.
I can go on and on, on how raising a family and pastoring a church by the grace of God has been only easy and stress free as I surrender to the Lord’s wisdom, guidance, leading and purpose.
When I became a follower of Christ, I saw that God is deliberate with those who he has called unto himself and has ordained for a purpose.
I saw in the scriptures, how he watched over baby Moses until Pharaoh’s palace, how he arranged for Joseph through several experiences as highlighted in Psalm 105, I also saw how he watched over baby Jesus, and even fulfilment off prophecy after Christ’s death, hence, I became confident that the best life is that which is surrendered in the workings and wisdom of God.
We are only qualified to enjoy God’s grace in every area of our lives as we surrender to Him in all things. The bible says God gives grace to the humble, in this sense, it means it takes humilty to surrender to God for help.
It is pride not to surrender in prayer asking for God’s intervention in our life decisions.
Ultimately, surrendering to God is a lifelong journey of faith and obedience, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty in all areas of life. It is an act of love and devotion, recognizing that God’s ways are higher than our own and that His plans are ultimately for our good and His glory.
Please pray and repent of any area of your life you are not yet fully surrendered.