I was doing it again. It didn’t take long for me to resort back to building my allegiance to myself rather than to the God I love. I was working hard for my kingdom of me and attempting to bask in as much glory as I could grab.
How to surrender to God is challenged when the sparkling, dazzling allures of the world are so enticing.
The truth was, I could feel the shackles and inner turmoil. I had been convincing myself that little by little – if I could just do this, I’ll get to my goal. If I can just tweak this one thing and figure this out, I’ll get there.
“There” is my glory. It’s hard to admit, but it’s true. I had fallen for the whispers of lies that I needed to be known, recognized, and noticed by the world.
Why is it not enough to have this securely and completely from my Heavenly Father?
I was on a dangerous path attempting to build up my kingdom again. My eyes had shifted from His glory to my crown. Can you relate?
Friend, there’s hope and freedom waiting for both of us. Surrendering to Christ Alone is the secret.
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How To Surrender To God When You Have One Foot In This World
How to surrender to God? They say, “Let go and let God” and it sounds so simple.
When we become a Christian, we’ve confessed our need and desperation for a Savior. We’re told we’re “letting go and letting God” take control of our lives. This act is trusting your life to God.
From that point forward, we have one foot on earth and the other one in heaven. We’re essentially living in two kingdoms – one of this world with our physical being, and God’s Kingdom spiritually.
The kingdom of this world is fascinating, tempting, and enticing; however, its fruit is fleeting and shallow. Jesus Christ offered himself to us so that we could have lasting freedom and abundant life and fruit to feast on.
Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross is the pathway to freedom. Daily surrendering to God is the joy of the experience.
Surrendering to God is aligning ourselves to seek the eternal and not the temporal of this broken world. It is an ongoing, moment-by-moment process of continually trusting God with our lives and choices and keeping our focus on the eternal.
So, how to surrender to God?
Surrendering to God can be done by:
Humility of Heart. Confess your humility, weakness, and wretchedness without Christ.
Receive Christ alone. We receive Christ at conversion but this side of heaven, we still try to remain on the throne. We need to consciously live in the reality of what our union with Him brings us and know that it can only be Christ alone for freedom and fruitfulness to be found. Come to Him in prayer and spend time in His Word. Continually surrender yourself to the Lord and receive what He has done and is doing. Study His Word (and apply) His biblical truths.
Obey & Honor God. Not just being listeners of the word as James 1:22 says but actually doing and obeying what the bible says.
Trust God. Leaning not on our own understanding but trusting that God’s ways (and timing) are truly better.
Letting go and trusting God is making a choice – moment by moment even – to submit your will to God’s. Giving your life to God each day in surrender for His life to lead changes everything.
What Does It Mean To Surrender To God?
Maybe you’ve asked, “How to surrender to God?” Or wonder what does it mean to surrender to God?
Surrendering to God is a relinquishing of rights and will. It’s yielding your life – thoughts, actions, and spirit to God. It is opening up a tight-closed fist of control and placing trust in God instead of ourselves.
The surrender to God meaning is giving up and letting go of the kingdom of this world – which includes the kingdom of self.
It is learning how to surrender control and learning to walk by His leading.
Surrendering to God Verses
Note the following Surrendering to God Verses:
- James 4:7 NLT Submit yourselves, then, to God.
- Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
- Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
- James 4:7 & 10a Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Humble yourselves before the Lord..
These are powerful surrendering to God scriptures. Three days behind on my bible reading schedule but perfectly on time for God, I read this scripture on surrendering to God:
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:15
Oh, the conviction was mighty.
“That those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him.”
I’m pretty sure we do not need Meriam-Webster to offer a better definition of surrender to God.
Then, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” 1 John 2:15-16 NLT
These freedom-filled scriptures on surrendering to God show there is no way for both kingdoms to survive. It has to be one or the other – His or mine.
My kingdom has to fall. Again.
When I am tempted to consider the pile of rubble and loss rather than God’s manifestation of glory, I feel the tension of straddling both kingdoms again. My physical eyes have such limited sight and I know that my strength and vision must come from God’s Spirit.
His grace accomplishes this.
Benefits of Surrendering to God
Sometimes when considering how to surrender to God, we may question if it’s worth it. What happens when you surrender to God?
Is the giving up and surrendering to God truly worth it? Won’t we be missing out on life?
What a horrible question to ask when we’d be gaining Life Himself! Nothing compares to the life we receive in Christ!
When we’ve tasted the freedom, peace, contentment, and rest that God brings alone through Jesus Christ, it leaves no question whether it’s worth it or not!
When God has revived your soul and brought rest in the midst of chaotic circumstances and given you peace that truly surpasses all understanding, submitting to God is more than a question of worth. It becomes the link to truly living!
When you surrender control and let go, you’re welcoming God’s will to take place. You’re letting go and trusting God with the rest.
When our hands finally open and our tight-fists of control are released, life is liberated into the Hand that holds all things. The shackles fall off and the inner turmoil is exchanged for His perfect peace.
We’re taking a step forward in faith trusting God to direct our path, and knowing that His love for us is unwavering.
The benefits of surrendering to God are plentiful and worthwhile! And certainly, they must be for the price of God’s only Son!
Surrendering to God: Grace
Our kingdom falls when we humble ourselves before God. When we do so, we are immediately met with His grace – to carry and sustain us.
“They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scripture say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:5-6
Let go and let God give you grace.
Surrendering to God: Freedom
Galatians 5:1 tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
When we’re spinning our wheels trying to build up our own kingdom, we’ve enslaved ourselves trying to conquer control that has already been conquered. Freedom found in Christ and surrendering to God brings true liberation!
Let go and let God give you freedom.
Surrendering to God: He will lift you up
God’s Kingdom is upside down to our kingdom of self. When we surrender to God, the last will be first, the weak will be strong, and the humble will be lifted up!
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10
Let go and let God lift you up.
Surrendering to God: Blessings
Finally, we’re also told from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” Matthew 5:5 and again, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3
His blessings are endless and eternal.
Let go and let God shower you with blessings!
How to Surrender to God and Let Go
When you ask, “How to surrender to God?” Know this…
Every day we have the opportunity to make a choice. We can agree with Jesus, “not my will, but yours be done” or we can choose our kingdom of self.
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. Mark 8:35
When we surrender to God and let go, this brings freedom through Jesus Christ – beginning now and for all eternity.
Until we’re in heaven, we’ll feel the tension of both kingdoms but God’s promised us grace upon grace when we surrender to Him in faith.
Surrender to God Prayer
So, today in this very moment, we get to make the choice of whether or not we surrender to God what we have tight-fisted or continue our allegiance to self. Let’s leave the rubble of our kingdom behind and walk in the joy and freedom of living for our King!
To pray is to let go and let God take over. Use this Surrender to God Prayer or your own words to pray:
Father, I surrender my kingdom to you. I desire to open my heart and hands and let go of what I hold so tightly to. I desire to trust you and surrender this moment to you. Help me turn to you and live seeking your glorious kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
His Kingdom always meets us with boundless grace and freedom the moment we surrender. Let go and let God take control of your life today.
Oh to bring glory to God today! Open your hands and heart to let go and let God!
I love this, Erin! It took me far too long to accept that truly surrendering everything to God was simply put, the very best way to live. And it’s true, I lapse on certain issues from time to time but His sweet peace and contentment are the things that draw me back and I am so very thankful!
Deb, same for me! The days I delay surrendering are a lot heavier than the ones that I walk in step with Him. God surely has a way of wooing us back! Thank you so much for visiting!
Woo woo woo I love it that let me know ,we are the twinkle in God’s eyes that is true love at the best. May God have all the Glory he seeks.
Amen! May God have all the glory indeed!!
Thank you so much for this! I have really been struggling with my identity and who I am in Christ. This surrendering is still pretty tough but it gives me so much peace and comfort. And it helps me to remember who Christ says I am instead of who I am defined by the world.
I needed this one! Thank you!
It’s so easy to not know when we are clinging to some desire more than clinging to God, Erin. I’m right there with you and can relate to your challenge in so many ways. I love how you’ve given us so many insights into what surrendering looks like and does. I’ll be pinning this for sure! Have a great week, my friend!
Beth, yes! And then the gnawing feeling comes and I can’t shake it until I hand it over to God. I hope you have a wonderful week as well! Hugs to you!
I love this reminder! I need to daily, and in every situation, consider “who’s on the throne?” Myself or my God… Peace occurs when we’re in our right places❤️
Beth, absolutely! My crown sure looks sparkly and shiny sometimes but it’s nothing compared to His crown of glory and power. Peace is such a sacred gift!
This is a great post on surrender. For me it so often comes down to control. Releasing my rights has become on practice that helps me to trust God more fully in the moment by moment things.
Ginger, yes – releasing my rights – and I always picture another stone added to the pile of rubble! I’m so glad you stopped by today!
Such a great reminder and encouragement ❤️
Praise God, Kerry! So thankful this encouraged you!
Thanks so much for writing this and taking the time to unpack what that really means. I feel like Christians throw the term surrender around really haphazardly and sometimes I can forget what that actually looks like biblically. This was a well-written and scripturally backed roadmap to surrender and it definitely encouraged me!
Praising God this encouraged you, Olivia! Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for this.I so needed it
I’m learning what it means to surrender to God(everything) and stop trying to do things on my own and truly trust God.
I know once Im all the way in that God will come to my rescue.
Thank you
God’s always faithful and trustworthy! I’m so thankful this encouraged you!
I enjoyed reading this lesson and looking forward to putting the principles into actions.
I was broken this morning by this statement by Frank Viola: “When God’s people mean business with the Lord and learn the art of losing, forfeiting, and letting go, they begin to touch the heavenly throne with their prayers.” The Lord then led me to this post. Thank you for being a conduit for his truth and love. I needed–continue to need–this revelation of surrender. God bless you, my sister. May the light and love of our Lord continue to fill you to overflowing.
What a powerful statement! Thank you for sharing this and may we daily seek God’s heavenly throne in all things! It is my continued prayer and today, one of thankfulness that God hears us and continues to refine His Church!
I was so encouraged by this that I shared it with my bible study group.
Enjoyed the teaching understanding my responsibility to let go and let God take control of my life. Yes I have one foot in the church and the other in the world.
I’m totally committed in surrendering everything to him as he guide through my weeds.
Thank you!
Thank you for this