The quick answer to the question of whether it’s time to surrender to God is yes. We should always want to surrender to God but truly letting go is difficult. As Christians, we know that God is the ultimate problem solver, but it’s not always easy letting God do what He needs to do in our lives. Let’s admit it: It’s hard to surrender to God. Surrendering your life to God means following His lead without knowing where He’s sending you. You know you’ve surrendered to God when you rely on Him to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda or control a situation. It’s important that you let go and let God work. You don’t always have to be in charge or in control. Instead of trying harder, you trust more. Here are six ways to trust God when you’re having trouble surrendering.
Let Go and Let God
Many Christians profess to trust God’s Will for their lives and have a desire to surrender to Him but when it comes down to letting go and letting God, they can’t. We know that God has a special plan and purpose for our lives, most of us don’t have trouble believing this, but the fear develops when we realize that His Will may not be the will we have for ourselves. When we’re afraid of His plan, we begin to doubt His Will for our lives. We then must ask ourselves, how do move away from a place of fear and begin to trust God and His plan. This begins with letting go and letting God. Most people think that letting go and letting God is simply about turning your troubles over to God so that He can take care of things but it’s more than that. Letting go and letting God means that we let go of the outcome we desire and let God manifest His Will.
Stay Confident in God’s Promises
Surrendering can feel uncomfortable, but in most cases, it won’t really harm you – but attempting to avoid the experience will because you are robbing yourself of the chance to experience the deep satisfaction which comes with listening to your heart and soul and creating a better life fill of passion and purpose. If we want to trust God to solve the issues we’re going through, it’s important that we are confident in God and His Word. If we really want to hear God and begin to trust His Will for our lives, we must get involved with Scripture and hear what God’s Word is telling us. God’s Word provides transformational wisdom, and when we study the Bible and grow closer to the Word, we begin to understand where God is, especially for us. The more confident we are in God’s promises, the closer we get to transformation and renewal. When we begin to see where God is, not where the world is, we can really move towards letting go of doubt and fear.
Trust God, Even When We Don’t Understand the Circumstances
It’s easy to trust God when things are going according to our plan for ourselves, but when the plan begins to deviate from what we think should be happening in our lives, it’s easy for us to fall off course because we are allowing doubt to triumph over God. We put up a shield so that we don’t get hurt, but we are only casting out God and hurting ourselves. Proverbs 3:5 which tells us to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding” is a great reminder to let go of self, the thoughts in our head that allow us to believe our plan is greater than God’s, because these are the thoughts that sabotage us and will only lead us astray. We should trust God, even when we don’t understand His greater purpose for our lives.
Allow God to Calm Your Heart
While God calls us every single day to not be afraid, to simply trust Him in everything can be difficult. The Christian life is a constant battle between fear and trust; anxiety and trust, and doubt and confidence. Worrying can be harmful not only to our emotional health, but also to our physical health. Excessive worrying can lead to depression and can even cause us to become physically ill. When we worry, we get so lost in what might happen that we lose sight of our peace and happiness, and can no longer find our inner calm. But we have hope in God. When circumstances show up that have the ability to break us down, we can trust in God’s promises.
Believe in God’s Promises
While we can’t physically hear God, it’s important that we remain confident that God hears us and confident in God’s promises offered through Scripture. This is the place where you will really begin to hear His voice. The more time we spend with Scripture, the more we can hear and know what God’s Will is for us. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. When you read the Bible and hear God speaking through the Word, you begin to see situations differently and your circumstances in a whole new light. We can’t do this without letting go and trusting God. You then can make decisions based not off a mindset of fear, but where you are being led by God.
Let God Take Control
Always remember that you are bigger than any fear you’re facing today or the situation you’re going through. God is control. One of the best ways to combat your fear is to trust in God and lean on His Word. Immerse yourself in it. While fear may continue to show up for you, when you acknowledge and truly believe that God is in control, anything is possible. Fear can feel like it’s paralyzing you, but fear only has the power to control as much as you allow it to. Trust that you can challenge any fear you have with God and you will always come out victorious.
It is difficult to surrender to God when we are caught up in our uncertainties. In spite of all of this, even when we believe God won’t, He will. God will help you conquer the issues you’re facing according to His Will. Always apply this to your life. Even if you’re struggling with doubt, know that God has a special plan for your life. Focus on your faith, not your doubts and He will direct your paths according to His purpose.
