Introduction
As an Evangelical Christian, one of the most important aspects of our faith is surrendering our lives to God. This means allowing God to have complete control over every aspect of our lives, including our thoughts, actions, and desires.
Surrendering to God may seem daunting at first, but it is an essential step in deepening our relationship with Him and experiencing the many benefits that come with it. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of surrendering to God and how it can transform our lives.
Finding Peace in Surrendering to God
One of the most significant benefits of surrendering to God is finding peace in the midst of chaos. When we surrender our lives to God, we are acknowledging that He is in control and that we trust Him to lead us in the right direction. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” By surrendering to God, we can experience the peace that only He can give, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Surrendering to God also means letting go of our own desires and trusting that His plans for us are better than our own. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” When we surrender our desires to God, we can trust that He will lead us in the right direction, even if it doesn’t align with our own plans. This trust in God can give us a sense of peace and freedom that we could never achieve on our own.
Developing a Deeper Relationship with God
Surrendering to God also allows us to develop a deeper relationship with Him. When we surrender our lives to God, we are inviting Him into every aspect of our lives. This means that we can communicate with Him throughout the day and seek His guidance in all of our decisions. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” By surrendering to God, we can experience a level of closeness with Him that is impossible to achieve on our own.
Furthermore, surrendering to God allows us to grow in our understanding of His character. As we surrender to Him and experience His faithfulness and love, we can begin to understand more deeply who He is and how much He cares for us. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” By surrendering to God, we can trust that He is always working for our good, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Experiencing Freedom in Surrender
Another benefit of surrendering to God is experiencing true freedom. When we surrender our lives to God, we are releasing ourselves from the burden of trying to control our own lives. Instead, we can trust that God has a plan for us and that He will guide us in the right direction. Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” By surrendering to God, we can experience a sense of freedom that is unlike anything we could achieve on our own.
Furthermore, surrendering to God allows us to let go of the things that are holding us back and hindering our growth. This could include habits, addictions, or attitudes that are not in line with God’s will for our lives. As we surrender these things to God, we can experience the freedom and transformation that only He can provide. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” By surrendering to God, we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives to guide us and transform us from the inside out.
Finding Purpose and Direction
Surrendering to God also allows us to find our true purpose and direction in life. When we surrender our lives to God, we are acknowledging that He has a plan for us and that we trust Him to lead us in the right direction. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” By surrendering to God, we can trust that He has a purpose for our lives and that He will guide us towards fulfilling that purpose.
Furthermore, surrendering to God allows us to find meaning and fulfillment in serving Him and others. As we surrender our lives to God, we can discover the unique gifts and talents that He has given us and use them to make a positive impact in the world around us. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” By surrendering to God, we can discover our true calling and live a life of purpose and significance.
Surrendering to God in Everyday Life
Surrendering to God is not just a one-time decision, but a daily commitment to trust and follow Him. This means that we must intentionally surrender our lives to Him every day, in every situation. In Luke 9:23-24, Jesus says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” By surrendering our lives to God daily, we can experience the fullness of life that He has promised us.
Surrendering to God in everyday life means seeking His guidance in all of our decisions, big and small. It means praying and asking for His wisdom and direction in every situation. It also means being willing to let go of our own desires and plans, and trusting that God’s plans for us are better than our own. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” By surrendering our works and thoughts to God, we can experience the peace and direction that only He can provide.
Overcoming Obstacles to Surrender
Surrendering to God is not always easy. We may face obstacles such as fear, doubt, or pride that prevent us from fully surrendering our lives to Him. However, it is important to remember that surrendering to God is a process, and that He is patient and gracious with us as we learn to trust Him more fully.
One way to overcome obstacles to surrender is to spend time in prayer and studying God’s Word. As we pray and meditate on Scripture, we can gain a deeper understanding of who God is and how much He loves us. We can also seek the guidance of trusted Christian friends or mentors who can encourage and support us as we learn to surrender our lives to God.
Another way to overcome obstacles to surrender is to be intentional about letting go of our own desires and plans. This may mean taking practical steps such as fasting or making sacrifices in order to seek God’s will for our lives. James 4:7-8 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” By intentionally submitting to God and resisting the temptations of the enemy, we can draw closer to God and experience the freedom and peace that come with surrendering to Him.
The Fruit of Surrender
When we surrender our lives to God, we can experience the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” As we surrender to God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we can experience these qualities in our own lives and in our relationships with others.
Furthermore, when we surrender to God, we can experience the power of God working in us and through us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” By surrendering to God, we become vessels for His power and can make a significant impact in the world around us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, surrendering to God is an essential step in deepening our relationship with Him and experiencing the many benefits that come with it. When we surrender our lives to God, we can find peace in the midst of chaos, develop a deeper relationship with Him, experience true freedom, find purpose and direction in life, and bear the fruit of the Spirit. Surrendering to God may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. As we trust in God and surrender our lives to Him, we can experience the abundant life that He has promised to us.
May we all choose to surrender our lives to God and experience the many benefits that come with it. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Let us present our bodies as living sacrifices to God and allow Him to transform us from the inside out.
