THE TRUTH ABOUT SURRENDERING

In a world that constantly urges us to push harder, fight more fiercely, and claim victory at all costs, there’s a truth that is often overlooked: true power comes not through striving and controlling, but through surrender. The very word "surrender" seems to carry a connotation of weakness, of giving up. Yet, when we look closely at the most powerful figures in history, and more importantly, in Scripture, we see that surrender is not the end of strength—it is the beginning of it.

Jesus Christ, in His darkest hour, knew this truth more deeply than anyone. When He faced the excruciating decision of whether or not to go to the cross, He didn’t choose to fight or run from His fate. He chose surrender. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus wasn’t giving up, but aligning His will with the Father’s greater purpose. He trusted God’s plan over His own. Through His surrender, Jesus secured the ultimate victory over sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe. In that moment of surrender, when everything in His humanity might have wanted to turn away from the pain, Jesus chose the path that led to freedom for the world.

This theme of surrender is echoed throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul, who faced tremendous hardship for the sake of the Gospel, writes, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul didn’t see surrender as a sign of weakness. He understood that God’s power is most fully realized in our humility and willingness to trust Him, even when we are weak. It’s in our surrender to God that His strength, wisdom, and power are most evident in our lives.

Surrendering isn’t about losing. It’s about gaining—gaining access to a power far greater than our own. This is what we see in the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph’s life seemed to be a series of setbacks and betrayals. Yet, he chose to surrender his understanding of his circumstances and trust in God's sovereign plan. In the midst of suffering, Joseph recognized that his life was part of a greater story, saying, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). He surrendered his desire for revenge and control, and in doing so, became a vessel for God’s purposes, saving many during a time of famine. Joseph could have been bitter, filled with anger at his brothers for their betrayal, but instead, he chose surrender, and God used him in extraordinary ways to bring about His will. His story is a testament to the power that comes through surrendering to God's will, even when it feels like everything around you is falling apart.

This surrender isn’t always easy, and it’s not always clear why we are called to give up control. Take the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor who resisted the Nazi regime. Bonhoeffer chose to participate in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, knowing the personal cost, including the risk of his own life. But Bonhoeffer’s surrender wasn’t in the choice itself—it was in his willingness to lay down his own life for a cause greater than himself. He wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Bonhoeffer’s surrender cost him his life, but his legacy of faith and courage lives on, influencing generations. He became a martyr for The Lord. His willingness to surrender his own life for the sake of truth and justice is a stark example of how God’s power is displayed in our surrender to Him, even when it leads us down a difficult and costly path.

We’re also invited to surrender our lives for a greater cause, just as Harriet Tubman did. Tubman risked her life again and again to lead other enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. As an escaped slave, she could have chosen to live in safety, but instead, she chose to surrender her own comfort and security for the liberation of others. Through her courageous surrender, she helped free over 300 slaves and left an indelible mark on history. Tubman didn’t know what dangers she would face or what the future held for her, but she trusted that her surrender to God’s calling was worth the risk. She displayed a powerful, selfless surrender that made her one of the most influential figures in the abolitionist movement.

Surrender is also at the heart of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. In the face of violence, hatred, and opposition, King chose to surrender his personal desires for fame or comfort to the cause of racial equality and justice. King’s surrender wasn’t just to a cause, but to the greater will of God—believing that his actions were part of God’s greater plan for justice. "If you haven’t found something worth dying for, you’re not fit to live," he famously said. King knew that surrendering his life for a cause greater than himself would require incredible sacrifice, but it was through his surrender to God’s will that he became a catalyst for change in the civil rights movement.

So, why should we surrender? Because true victory comes not through fighting for our own will, but through yielding to a higher purpose. Our own understanding is limited, and when we hold on to control, we are unable to fully experience the peace, purpose, and power that God has for us. In the moments when we choose to surrender, we let go of our limited perspective and allow God’s will to take center stage. As Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” When we surrender, we give up our need to control the outcome and trust that God, in His wisdom, will guide us.

Jesus taught us this through His own life. He modeled surrender perfectly. He didn’t fight for His own comfort or desires, but surrendered His will to the Father, knowing that God's purpose was far greater than anything He could imagine. He knew that surrender meant true freedom and eternal life for all who believe. Through His surrender, we are able to experience victory, even over death itself. He shows us that surrender isn't the end of the story—it is the beginning of something far more powerful than we could ever accomplish on our own.

Surrendering to God means trusting that His plan is far better than our own. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” When we surrender, we stop relying on our own strength, and we trust in His strength to guide us. Our own understanding is limited, but God’s wisdom is infinite.

Consider the Apostle Paul again—he understood that surrender wasn’t a sign of weakness, but of dependence on God’s strength. In Philippians 4:13, he wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It’s in surrendering his will to God that Paul experienced true strength and victory in the face of suffering.

The same is true for us. We are invited to surrender not just our plans, but our very lives. Romans 12:1 calls us to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Surrender is an ongoing act of devotion where we yield our will to God’s purpose. This doesn’t mean we passively give up on our desires or dreams; it means we actively submit them to God’s greater plan, trusting that His purpose will lead us to true fulfillment.

When we surrender, we let go of our need to control everything—our circumstances, our future, our relationships—and trust that God has a purpose for everything, even the hardships. 2 Corinthians 12:9 assures us that God's power is made perfect in weakness, and it is in surrendering our own strength that God’s power can work most fully in and through us.

So, the question is not whether surrender is necessary; it’s whether we are willing to trust God enough to surrender everything—our plans, our desires, our control, our fears, and even our very lives—into His hands. It is in that surrender that we find true victory, peace, and strength. Through surrender, God reveals His power in us, shaping us, guiding us, and using us for purposes beyond what we could ever imagine. And in the end, it is not our own strength that leads to victory—but His.

I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Anna M. C. Hazen  2025

The image is AI generated on chatgpt.