ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Control asks, "What if it doesn't work out?"
Surrender asks, "What if it's already in good hands?"
You were never given the power to CONTROL. But you were always given the power to SURRENDER.
Surrender isn't a FEELING.
It's a DECISION you make, and then a PRACTICE you keep making.
5 THINGS THAT ARE TRUE ABOUT SURRENDER
1. Surrender is a DECISION, not a discovery.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2. Surrender is NAMED, not vague.
If you don't NAME it, you can't TAME it.
3. Surrender is DAILY, not one-and-done.
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Exodus 16:19-20
Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.
4. Surrender is MODELED, not manufactured.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
CONTROL was in the garden.
SURRENDER was on the cross.
He chose the cross so that you would HAVE THE POWER to choose it too.
5. Surrender is REWARDED, not wasted.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Control promises you SAFETY and pays you ANXIETY. Surrender promises you LOSS and pays you PEACE.
THE SERENITY PRAYERGod, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
