5 Ways to Surrender to God and Enjoy Peace

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Complete surrender to God begins with saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Although it can feel hard at times it's the only way to enjoy God's peace. #Bible #Trust #Peace #Isaiah #Surrender

Last week, I asked you if you’d like an early warning system for your life.

Over the weekend,  we received another Red Alert phone call in the middle of the night. 4:00AM to be exact . . . first, the land line rings and we answer it; then, about 5 minutes later, both of our cell phones ring.

Sleep was a thing of the past as potential danger disturbed the peace.

One of the hardest sentences in a Christian’s life is…

“Not my will, Lord, but Yours be done.”

That’s surrender to God!

Trusting God is who He says He is.
Being confident He is able to do what He says He will do.
Living completely at peace in the knowledge of His love. 

Jesus showed us how to completely surrender and trust God’s will . . . through obedience and sacrifice. But surrendering to God’s will didn’t begin with Jesus…

I found help in the Book of Isaiah as well.

5 Ways to Surrender to God and Enjoy Peace

1. Let Go of Control and Surrender to God’s Plans and Purposes

I’ll admit, I like to control what happens in my life. I want what I want and I want it now. But fighting God’s plans for me is not a path to happiness and peace. It’s never worked.

So, I’ll pray and with God’s help, I will surrender to and trust His will . . . remembering His past faithfulness and my control-driven failures I’ll live today through faith.

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

Isaiah 46:9–10

2. Let Go of Worry and Surrender in Faith

If worry was an Olympic sport, I’d have a trophy case of medals. The list of things I’ve worried about is too long for this space. I’d memorized the verse “don’t worry about tomorrow” but I failed to apply it.

And there is no peace for a worrier. None!

So, I’ll pray and with God’s help, I will trust Him to give me peace  as I surrender my concerns to His care.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3
Complete surrender to God begins with saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Although it can feel hard at times it's the only way to enjoy God's peace. #Bible #Trust #Peace #Isaiah #Surrender

3. Let Go of the Past and Let God Heal Your Heart

You can’t have peace and keep reliving the past. I know. I’m guilty as charged. God has graciously forgiven my past and gives me all I need to forgive those who have hurt me. I need to surrender to His healing.

So, I’ll pray and with God’s help, I will trust Him to help me live in this moment. And I will anticipate new things to come.

But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

Isaiah 43:18–19

4. Let Go of Impatience and Trust God’s Timing

I like a dinner I can make in 15 minutes or less and I like God to answer my prayers about as quickly. I’m not very good at waiting on His timing.

And there is no peace in fighting God’s perfect timing.

So, I’ll pray and with God’s help, I will trust Him to give me peace and strength when I need to wait on His timing.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaian 40:31

5. Let Go of Willfulness and Surrender to God’s Commands

I can be a creature of habit and not all of them are good.

And there is no peace in disobedience.

It’s a big deal! Peace isn’t the only thing I sacrifice when I disobey God. I end up dealing with unpleasant consequences and reduce what others think about Him.

So, I’ll pray and with God’s help, I can believe His ways are best. I can have an attitude of obedience. Not to earn His favor but to glorify Him and show His goodness.

Lord, we show our trust in You by obeying Your laws;  our heart’s desire is to glorify Your name.

Isaiah 26:8

I surrender! 

Not on my own. I can’t.

But with God’s help . . . I can!

I can do all things through Christ because He gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13
Complete surrender to God begins with saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Although it can feel hard at times it's the only way to enjoy God's peace. #Bible #Trust #Peace #Isaiah #Surrender

These 10 quotes inspire me to surrender to God’s will and enjoy peace.  

♥ “If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!”~Elisabeth Elliot

♥ “There is never a moment when God is not in control. Relax! He’s got you covered.” ~Mandy Hale

♥ “Surrendering to Christ is like signing your name to a blank check and letting the Lord put in the amount.” ~Billy Graham

♥ “It is wonderful what miracles God works in wills that are utterly surrendered to Him” ~Hannah Whitall Smith

♥ “I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” ~Martin Luther

♥ “What Thou wilt, when Thou wilt, how Thou wilt.” ~John Newton

♥ “May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.” ~Andrew Murray

♥ “Real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us.” ~Warren Wiersbe

♥ “Peace is the deliberate adjustment of my life to the will of God.” ~Author Unknown

♥ “We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves. The idea is to give all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God. That is what the Christian life is all about.” ~R. C. Sproul

Prayer to Surrender

A dear friend shared this prayer this prayer with me:

I surrender this day to You, Father. I will follow where You lead and do Your will as You reveal it to me. Help me live this promise – that I may live today for Your glory. In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

May it be the way I begin each day, and with God’s help lived out one moment at a time.

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16 Comments

  1. There’s so much truth in these words! You’re right…there’s no peace to for a worrier. I’m so thankful for the lessons I’ve been learning over the years in how to surrender to God.

    1. Me too, Dawn! I used to excel at worrying. Remembering the many things God’s brought us through helps me surrender more quickly now. Still not easy at times, but He is so faithful . . . I sometimes wonder how I could ever worry. Blessings to you!

  2. Beautiful post, dear friend. Surrender is an all-day everyday thing for me and I need these reminders so often!

    1. Me too, Lauren! It’s so hard sometimes, but I’ve learned there is just no peace without it!

  3. Yes, I agree, those are the hardest words to say and fully believe. After this last week, I’ve went round and round with that, wrestling with God – trust – His will. But I saw the fruit of it. The power of Christ in it when we do surrender our will to His and fully trust Him!

    Thanks so much, Deb! You mean the world to me!
    Lori

    1. Oh, Lori, Your friend has been on my heart and mind all weekend. Her testimony is so powerful! She’s experienced most mom’s greatest fear and yet, points us all to God’s goodness and love. Wow, I’m humbled and blessed!

  4. Ouch! Amen! Ouch, some more!
    Thank you for a poignant reminder to surrender, Deb! We’ve been living in this place for the last few months – choosing to surrender, to trust, and to obey.
    Love your points, your verses, and the quotes!
    Wonderful (and challenging) post!

    1. You’re so funny, Melanie! I think I needed to challenge myself again. Daily reminders to surrender all to God’s grace and mercy! Thanks Girl, you bless me!

  5. Yes, we must surrender to God from the moment we wake until we sleep at night. Not easy, but necessary if we truly want to live at peace.
    Blessings, Deb!

    1. I agree, Martha! Not at all easy . . . but the only way to know His peace. Blessings to you as well!

  6. My word for the year is surrender and it is definitely not something that comes naturally to me. I can also be an expert worrier and struggle to let go of control. I love the tips, verses and quotes you share here. I will be noting some of these to reflect on some more.

  7. Deb- I’m new to surrendering. I want to have control. God is working on me, and I can say for once in my life I feel at peace. Not because everything is worked out, or I don’t have problems, but I’m following His lead. It’s scary, but I’m enjoying the wild ride;0)

    Julie

  8. carolyn Sue vergowven says:

    I have several prayer requests, but right now the major ones is overcoming fear, and salvation for my daughter. Need peace, so I can find the path that God has made straight for me.

    1. I am praying for you and your daughter, Carolyn. I lived with fear and anxiety for most of my life. I truly believe that if He can help me overcome fear . . . He will help you as well. God bless you!

  9. James Young says:

    Great message Deb! This is the daily struggle to deny ourselves and follow Christ in every area of our lives!

    1. Thank you, James. I appreciate your kind encouragement. God bless you!