“One of the greatest battles Christians face is NOT doing the will of God…
it’s DOING God’s will, GOD’s WAY”. ~Charles R. Swindoll (Saying it Well, 2012)
Always in control
Because my way is CONTROL my one word this year is SURRENDER.
God wired me this way. Why would I resist my natural design? Right?
Six months ago I was at a prayer meeting and the congregation was invited to the altar to have the pastors pray for everyone individually. One of the pastors anointed me, and, as he opened his mouth, the Holy Spirit filled it. I was instructed to “let go”. I was to open my hands and surrender.
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1.cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.“over 140 rebels surrendered to the authorities”
synonyms: capitulate, give in, give (oneself) up, give way, yield, concede (defeat), submit, climb down, back down, cave in, relent, crumble
I googled the word surrender. OUCH! Could God be asking me to stop resisting Him? Is this something He does? How could that be when I’ve been on an intentional journey to KNOW Him?
I began to pray and He showed me some “stuff” that I had been holding on to. Stuff He wanted me to let go of. I’ll have to take a quick trip back to my childhood (again) to make sense of this.
Deep breath….here we go.
My natural design plus circumstances and events beyond my control, were the basis for my need to control.
For the most part, I was a super silly, confident little girl. I had an amazing childhood and came from a tight-knit family. My parents gave me and my siblings everything we needed and nearly everything we wanted. But I had a secret. Actually more like a few secrets. One of them being poor body image. I was insecure.
Childhood events impacted me in ways I can’t articulate, and I honestly don’t want to try. The effects were significant. I was wounded. Some of those scars left me with great anxiety and afraid of boys; fears that created challenges into my teenage years.
I don’t know how it happened but I eventually started “dating” even though I was terrified; terrified that the boy I was dating would try to get too close. I know, that doesn’t exactly sound like a nightmare.
I worked up the courage to tell him my whole truth. His response would inevitably change my life.
With compassion in his eyes and tenderness in his voice he spoke words my heart wasn’t prepared to hear. He assured me that I was safe and he just held my hand…for a very.long.time. I felt safe. That safety wasn’t just because of the incredible respect he demonstrated for me; his words somehow empowered me and washed away my fears.
Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24
I suddenly had control in an area of my life I thought I had no control over.
His gift to me, this well-intentioned lesson, eventually took on a life of its own and worked its way into other areas of my life. Over time it would affect my relationships. I could control how close I let anyone get to me. And, if I felt hurt or disappointed I could simply put up physical and emotional walls and I wouldn’t be hurt again. Holding onto hurt and disappointment kept me from letting my guard down. It became my sort of safety blanket. I could also control what I wanted people to know about me and how they perceived me. Controlling everything and not letting anything go was my way of making sure I was always safe and in control.
The only way to really be safe is to let Him drive.
Have you seen that scene that’s repeated in countless TV shows, movies and cartoons where two people are in a car fighting over the steering wheel because the passenger doesn’t agree with where the driver is headed or how he’s getting there? Then there’s the hilarious scene when the guy sitting in the back seat jumps in on the fun. Yes, it makes for predictably funny TV but in real life it’s not funny. It’s dangerous.
My husband often reminds me that cars are built with only one steering wheel, one gas and one break pedal for a reason. There can only be one driver. Otherwise, the car ends up all over the road or in a wreck.
My desire to steer has to give way to the reality that He’s a much better driver than I am — Only God knows what’s behind me, what’s hiding around the bend and the road blocks just ahead. And, He’s known where He’s wanted to take me since before I made my grand entrance on this side of heaven.
I’m starting 2014 resolved to stay in my seat so that He can drive. I’ve been fighting for control far too long. Trying to steer where I think I should be going on and holding on to the unnecessary are only weighing me down. He’s calling me to surrender, to lay down my will, to learn to trust Him and rely only on Him, especially when it doesn’t make sense.
Don’t worry about how it ends, that’s already been resolved. It’s time to focus on getting started!
I’m sure I’ll be tempted to turn back to my old ways. It’s where I’ve been most comfortable and confident. Even if just for a moment. It’s like being on a strict, starch-free diet and instinctively grabbing a doughnut or a bowl of mashed potatoes when you’re having a bad day.
I’m not perfect and I don’t have it all together. I’m sure there will be tough days ahead and I might even reach for the steering wheel or some “comfort food” along the way. I’m okay with that as long as I don’t give up. And, if I try to figure it all out first I’ll never get anywhere.
I’m on a new journey this year; a journey to relinquish control and deepen my faith; to die to myself so that I can live free in Him. As I learn to surrender this year I’m going in believing Paul wrote this just for me:
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. ~Philippians 1:6 NLT
I’m yielding to Him; His will and His way because my future, my destiny and my precious family depend on it.
Sound familiar? If that’s you then maybe we can figure this out together. If you’re great at making resolutions and actually keeping them then I applaud you! I’m wired differently so I’m choosing to focus on on one word, study all the ways surrender shows up in the Bible and praying for the will and wisdom to surrender when I’d much rather stay in control.
HAPPY NEW YEAR from my family to yours!
Learning and sharing as I journey to KNOW, REFLECT and surrender ALL to Him,