We think of surrendering as negative, since we associate it with defeat, such as when a nation surrenders to an enemy. Furthermore, our culture frowns upon dependence and submission. But surrendering to God is a positive attribute, since by it, one demonstrates his or her deep trust and dependence on the Lord, who controls all things (Ps. 135:6; Matt. 28:18), including possessing the power to bring us to our ultimate victory in Christ (John 17:2; 1 Cor. 15:57; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).
When our suffering and trials overwhelm us, we need to let go and let God be our strength and help (Ps. 28:7-8; 46:1). The Lord wants us to trust and depend on him, and unless we are humbled in our circumstances as was Paul (2 Cor. 1:8-9; 12:7-10), we are unlikely to learn this valuable lesson.
Sometimes after prayer and discernment, we submit to God’s will by selecting a specified course of action that we believe the Lord is directing us toward, such as a move to a new location (e.g., Abraham in Gen. 12:1,4-5).
More often, we are thrust into unwanted and unexpected circumstances beyond our control. But even in these situations, what we can control is how we respond to our suffering and hardships. Do you choose to surrender to God’s will by persevering in faith and love, or do you turn away from the Lord?
Christ experienced pain, most notably at his crucifixion. Before such a horrific form of execution, he prayed for his cup of suffering to be taken away from him, not as his humanity willed it, but only if his divinity willed it (Matt. 26:39,42). For this reason, “he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:8) for the forgiveness of sins to save the faithful.
Naturally, we desire our problems to disappear. Though it is not God’s will for us to suffer, he allows our suffering to fulfill his divine purposes. In our weakness and suffering, we humbly recognize our need for God’s help. Additionally, the thorns of problems motivate us to work toward personal growth and develop the mindset and character of Christ (Phil. 2:1-5). Hopefully with this understanding, your hardships will be a bit easier to endure.
Christ challenged us to perfectly surrender to him, when he said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Despite our misfortunes, we must surrender to God’s divine will by persevering in faith and love and growing in holiness all our days.
Walking with Jesus Series, Refl. #136, May 2026
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