The one thing God has shown me time and time again in my adult life is the importance of surrendering. I was talking to my mom on the phone this morning and I realized how many things I need to surrender in my life right now and truthfully, every day!
Definitions of Surrender: a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort> b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another
Before Daisy was born there were still quite a few things that I felt like we needed in order to be ready for her arrival. I knew we could never afford all of the things we still needed. I didn't know what to do and it was not a fun feeling. A wise person suggested that I write a list of all of the things that I feel like I "needed" and then to lift those things up in prayer one by one every day. For starters this activity is AWESOME and I HIGHLY recommend it! Lifting up our "stuff" specifically, everyday to God allows us to surrender it to Him; to entrust it in His care. He is the one who takes care of us and provides for us after all...though we might be convinced otherwise. I prayed about those 10 or 12 things night after night and every time I prayed I felt peace that God would either provide or remove the need all together in a completely different way. I trusted Him. He loves me (He LOVES YOU!) and I know he hears my prayers (and yours!). It turned out that God provided nearly every single thing on that list that I needed. A couple of things I didn't receive in the way I was expecting but, the awesome thing is, God provided in other ways and the need was removed. God is not a genie who gives us everything we ask for so please don't misunderstand what I am suggesting. I am saying that when we lift things up to the Lord, He aligns our hearts so that we are in tune with His will and not our own. Then He provides as He sees best which could be by providing exactly what we are asking for or something else.
I have a lot of things I need to surrender to the Lord in prayer at the start of this new year: (I'm providing specifics to hopefully encourage you to do the same. Keeping it real here:-) By being specific it is easier to identify when God answers prayers or to pinpoint what you learn and it actually increases your faith! It's an awesome thing!
I need to Surrender...
*fears (often of things that have not even happened and may never!)
*finances (learning to live on one income and spending a whole lot less than we are used to has been a challenge)
*dreams (keeping a healthy perspective on dreams is important)
*anger and disappointment
*control (I think we women can all relate to this one:-)
*marriage (seeking God's best for my marriage and letting Him do the work in me (not me doing the work in me) to get it there)
*family (being a Godly mom and wife etc. and doing so with joy)
*contentment (being content with exactly what I have at any given moment. Our needs are being met and the wants shouldn't be all consuming)
*photography business (trusting God's timing and provision. Is this even God's will for me?)
*finances (learning to live on one income and spending a whole lot less than we are used to has been a challenge)
*dreams (keeping a healthy perspective on dreams is important)
*anger and disappointment
*control (I think we women can all relate to this one:-)
*marriage (seeking God's best for my marriage and letting Him do the work in me (not me doing the work in me) to get it there)
*family (being a Godly mom and wife etc. and doing so with joy)
*contentment (being content with exactly what I have at any given moment. Our needs are being met and the wants shouldn't be all consuming)
*photography business (trusting God's timing and provision. Is this even God's will for me?)
K, now it's your turn! It's great if you can write these things down in a journal or on a piece of paper so you can go back to it frequently and have a tangible reminder of what you want to surrender to the Lord. BE SPECIFIC. I wasn't as specific here as I would have been in a journal but, specifics help you sort out what exactly what you are feeling/needing/struggling with etc.
Your things might be:
addictions
relational troubles..spouse, child, parent etc.
anger over a loss...home, job, loved one etc.
pregnancy challenges
etc. etc.
I would love to buy a big plaque that says surrender with a great bible verse under it. I see the cute "simplify" phrase everywhere but, personally I think surrender is essential for healthy living! :-)
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
WE used to sing this song at my CC church in California and the guy who sang it always sang it with so much conviction. It has stuck in my heart and my head ever since. "Surrender."
Fear would end up number 1 on my list as well. Its one of those things I struggle with everyday and constantly have to give up to him. I tend to worry about everything...and can have a pretty wild imagination...so just seeing little snippet on the news could cause me to feel panicked or overly fearful. I really needed to hear this today-so thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis way blessed my socks off Casey, and actually, after just creating my own list, I alerady started to feel better! I posted it on my new blog child-likefaith.blogspot.com, love you chica!
ReplyDeletesurrender....then the control issue, it, as you said is a tough one to get wrapped around the brain. Giving it up, letting it go, let things be, take hands off, and let God be God, let Him take care of the 'need.' I had a few tears over this issue today as a matter of fact. It is hard to not just take care of something, instead of taking it to the Lord and letting Him take care of it.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me feel like I'm not alone. All of these things I need to surrender to God every day, all day. Thanks, sister!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prayers too. I really appreciate them!
Wow! Thanks for sharing that Case. I know we talked about it but seeing it in black and white like that was really powerful. Well, I must say, like mother like daughter. Fear, control, finances, my marriage, my kids:), this body I'm living in. Thanks also for the definition...To give up... Why wouldn't we want to give up all this to God???? love ya! marme
ReplyDeleteCasey, Thank you for making my day with such an uplifting and positive message. I will make you breakfast any day! I love you. Dad:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I have many fears; some rational, some irrational. Everytime I start to panic, I pray, "Dear God, You know I am scared of ____. I trust You completely to take care of me and I am turning these fears over to You, Dear God, to handle them. Thank You for Your protecting hand. In Jesus' name, Amen."
ReplyDeleteGreat post Casey! I'm going to have to think about this one. There are many things I should surrender but I'll have to think through a priority of them. Hope you and your family are doing great!
ReplyDeleteYou know what I love about writing down the things that you are feeling anxiety or fear over is that it's easier to see how God fills those needs. I love this post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration Casey! I just got my journal out and put it on my pillow so that I can start writing in it again now that we're all settled. Thank you for your honesty and encouraging us all to daily surrender to God. And just like your mom said, "Why wouldn't we want to give up all this to God?". Keep it up Casey...God has and always will continue to use you to reach out to people...to draw people closer to Him. Christ shines through in every aspect of your life and it gets peoples attention whether they know it or not. I love talking with you and reading your blog because you daily encourage and motivate me to do the same. I miss you my friend and our daily chats. :-)
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