Written by Nicole Unice at Today's Christian Woman
Submission is difficult. This month's articles may feel unsettling, but that's good! Choosing submission helps us experience peace—something we could all use more of. So let's slow down and take a deeper look at how to surrender to God.
Part One: A Heart Check
Have you ever thought:
- I need to keep my options open because God may ask something I don't want to give or require something that will make me miserable.
- God hasn't done right by me to put me in this situation.
- I'm suspicious of God's plan even though Scripture claims he is good for me.
If you answered yes to any (or all) of these statements, welcome to humanity. Since the Garden of Eden, we've struggled to submit to God's goodness, especially when we cannot understand it. Over the next several days, allow these thoughts to get under your skin. For every yes, ask yourself the "why" behind it. For instance, you may journal: Why do I feel this way? Why did I think it would be different? What did I expect? What did I receive?
Because God invites us into a relationship, journaling and praying about these feelings is a way to clear the air between you and him. This is the first step in giving yourself completely over to God.
Scripture Reading:
As you journal from the above prompts, think about corresponding biblical stories, such as Sarah (Genesis 15-16, 20-21), Job, Jonah, and the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-30).
- What did God ask from each of these people?
- How did they respond?
- What was the fruit of that response?
Part Two: The Fruit of Surrender
We know that submission is challenging, but let's look at the other side: the fruit of surrender.
Answer yes or no to the following statements:
- I regularly admit to God my real feelings about hard things he's put into my life.
- I've experienced good fruit from "dying to myself."
- I often relinquish my desire to be right and confess sin to God and to others.
- I've experienced how my suffering can draw me closer to Christ.
- I've given up my need to know why with God.
- I've submitted to others' wisdom, allowing them to ask hard questions and push back on my thoughts and feelings about a situation.
Scripture Reading:
We need reminders of God's goodness and our weakness if we're to cultivate a spirit of surrender. Some verses for meditation:
You may want to journal about these questions:
- Do I allow God to be big enough to hold all things—even things that seem evil and wrong—together?
- What does it mean for me to be "crucified with Christ?"
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