Why Surrendering to God Brings True Victory

Have you ever noticed that when you finally let go or release a situation you were worried about that’s when it finally works out? That’s because the breakthrough we’re often waiting for doesn’t come from our trying and striving, but our surrender to God. If you’re ready to experience the freedom and blessing of sincere surrender, stay tuned because this video is for you. Enjoy!

Earlier this year, I was having a challenge with one of the programs my children participated in and I was furious. Now, I’m not a fighter, but I will write a very strongly worded letter and that was exactly what I planned to do. I was going all the way to the top and I would let everyone know what was wrong and what needed to be fixed. But as I took a walk to calm down before writing this strongly worded letter, the Lord started to minister to me to get to the real root of my frustration. The truth was, as mad and angry as I was, I really felt powerless. I honestly felt there was nothing I could do or say that would matter and that made me feel weak. 

I prayed about the matter, still feeling helpless and when I got home and was about to sit at my computer to write my letter, I checked my email to find that the problem had been solved, without one word from me. God had already gone before me and took care of it. I didn’t need to fight, or control, or convince. I just needed to be patient enough to let God have His way. 

When we’re in a situation that we don’t like, our first default response is usually to control matters ourselves. But this may leave little room for God to do what we can’t. I’ve learned that true power doesn’t come from control, but from surrender. 

So in today’s video, we’ll talk about: 

  • What it means to truly surrender.
  • What stops us from surrendering.
  • How to experience the freedom of God through surrender.

What does it mean to surrender?

First we have to understand what it means to surrender, because it’s our misunderstanding of surrender that prevents us from experiencing God’s power in our lives.

When we think of surrender, we think of waving a white flag like we have lost a battle. We think of surrender as giving up, but in the kingdom of God, that is not surrender. In the upside down kingdom of God, surrender is victory because you are not at battle with God, but God is at battle for you. When you surrender to God, you’re giving way to victory and not defeat.

If we continue to think that surrender means we lose, we are going to keep trying to control and manipulate and manufacture the results we want, instead of making room or God’s way. What’s wrong with that? Well, God’s way is greater than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Trying to control matters ourselves is the major cause stopping us from surrendering and it’s rooted in fear. Fear that God will let us down. Fear that He’ll take too long and His timing will be off. Fear that we’ve already been left to fend for ourselves. But God has not given us a spirit of fear! (2 Timothy 1:7) When we try on our own and strive ourselves for control out of fear, we lose the love, power, and self control God provides to the surrendered soul.

Galatians 5 shows us the consequences of trying to control instead of surrender. Verse 4 says:

“For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The Galatians were striving and trying and controlling in their own strength to get right with God. But remember that’s not how things work in the Kingdom of God. So instead of getting closer to God, the Galatians' control actually pushed them further from Him. The same thing happens to us every time we try to control matters only for God to handle. I’m not saying we don’t do anything ever, I’m saying if it’s out of our control, then it’s our job to surrender it to God and not try harder. 

How to Surrender to God

So how do we surrender our lives to God? First we must recognize what we’re holding on to that we need to release or what we’re trying to force or control that we have no control over. These areas will be marked by feelings of frustration, powerlessness, sadness, and sometimes masked in anger. 

There are two common ways we use to try to control instead of surrendering. We often try to control with our actions or our words.

With our actions, we think of what we can do in our own strength to get the results we want. This isn’t always bad as faith without works is dead, but it’s our work apart from God, it’s our actions in our own strength that gets us in trouble. Instead, Psalm 46:10 says:

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Sometimes surrender requires us to be still. Now we don’t want to do this especially if we're in pain or uncomfortable. We’re looking for the fastest way out to safety and comfort. But when you know God, it gives you the strength to be still. When you know He is faithful and trustworthy and gracious, you gain the power to let God have His way.

Sometimes, however there is nothing we can do, so we resort to our words to control, defend and protect. But Exodus 14:14 tells us:

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Sometimes your best fighting words are to be silent and let God fight for you. He will defend, vindicate, and redeem you.

Surrender requires trusting the God you are surrendering to. We try to take matters into our own hands when we don’t trust God. We fight battles we shouldn’t fight when we don’t know God. To truly surrender, consider these truths:

  • God cares for you.
  • God has not and will not forget you.
  • God works in His way and time.
  • God can be trusted.
  • God can do more and better than you can do on your own. 

To further help you, I invite you to watch this video where I have an in depth Bible study on Psalm 46 to teach you how to be still and know. 

For more encouragement, download my free Bible Study, “Worry-Free,” to learn the 3 lies feeding your worry and the truth to set you free at belovedwomen.org. Thanks for watching, and until next time, be beautiful, blessed, and beloved.