When many hear the word surrender, they think of giving up, of being held captive. And in a way, I love that definition—because giving up is exactly what’s required. Not in defeat, but in victory. It takes great courage to hand your life over to God.
But what do we give up? Our selfishness. Our need to control. The carefully crafted illusions we present to others. For me, it meant surrendering the fraud of my supposed self-control.
It’s exhausting to play God—to keep up the business of pretending I have control over life. The truth is, I don’t. None of us do. All we really have is faith and trust in something greater. A friend once told me something both hilarious and profound:
“Do you know the difference between you and God? God doesn’t walk around trying to be you.”
That line still makes me laugh, but it also humbles me—because no one in their right mind would put me in charge of their life.
So why not let go and let God? Why not step aside and become what we were meant to be: followers of our Creator? His grace waits for us. All He asks is willingness—to release the illusion of control and walk in reverence.
“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.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6
My brothers and sisters, the sooner we give our lives back to the One who gave us life in the first place, the sooner we will discover true peace.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I lay down the burden of control and surrender my life into Your hands. Teach me to trust You fully, to let go of my own will, and to walk in the freedom of Your grace. Help me release fear, pride, and self-reliance, and rest in the peace of knowing that You alone are in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
