Two Seemingly Bad Words that Really Are Quite Good and Why You Should Use Them

Submission and surrender: the hardest actions for people to perform.

They are two words nobody wants to mention, much less do. Who wants to submit and surrender anything? That’s losing, isn’t it? In some circles I suppose it is.

But in surrendering and submitting to the Lord, we win in a big way.

In surrendering and submitting to the Lord, we win in a big way. Share on X

Submit and Surrender

Humbling ourselves to God’s will is a process that takes time. We grow into it. Trusting God to a greater degree as we experience His faithfulness in different areas of our lives.

Like the idea or not, learning the finer details of submitting and surrendering begins early. From the first time we respond positively to “no” and “yes” as toddlers, we are submitting and surrendering our will. We continue to do so as we grow.

By submitting to the wisdom and instructions of those in authority we keep from burning our fingers on a hot stove, getting hit by a car as we cross the street, and any number of other calamities.

Yet, as we age, those two words become much maligned. We place them in the context of being oppressive or suppressing.

In the correct context, though, to submit and surrender is freeing, not confining, life giving, not life suppressing. Let’s hear this truth from the Apostle Paul:

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. 1 Corinthians 10:23

Some things need to be surrendered!

Exchanging our will for that of a loving authority is beneficial not harmful. And we find no more of a loving authority figure than the Lord Himself.

In the correct context, to submit and surrender is freeing, not confining, life giving, not life suppressing. Share on X

Hold Everything Loosely

Sometimes submitting does mean letting go of a deep desire. And it is hard! God recently called me to step back a bit from something I feel passionate about.

Yet God has proved faithful for all mankind. We can certainly trust Him now as well. If He requires us to submit to Him by surrendering a desire, we can be assured He has good reason for “asking.” Just look at these biblical examples:

Against Gideon’s best military judgement, he let all but 300 of his men go while preparing to fight the Midianite army: a sure recipe for defeat. Only it wasn’t. In submission to God’s leading and deference to His sovereignty, Gideon surrendered his own insight and wisdom and all that made sense to try the impossible. And he won. (Judges 7)

Joshua followed what seemed to be God’s foolish instructions for conquering the city of Jericho. Yet after following God’s formula and marching and blowing their horns, the walls of Jericho fell. (Joshua 6)

Hannah went against all her motherly instincts to surrender her long-awaited son Samuel to God’s service in the care of Eli. Thanks to her sacrifice, Samuel became a great prophet of God, and God blessed Hannah with many more children. (1 Samuel 1)

Abraham willingly surrendered his beloved son Isaac to be sacrificed to the Lord at His command. (Genesis 22)

We all have things we hold near and dear. Yet none are worth withholding from the Lord.

Hold everything loosely—including religious practices, people, money, health, possessions, ideas, hobbies, ministry, plans—being willing to submit and surrender them all to God. It may sting for awhile, but in the end, peace and joy will abound in your heart and soul.

You’ll discover that those bad words, they’re not so bad after all. In fact, they’re actually quite good.

We all have things we hold near and dear. Yet none are worth withholding from the Lord. Share on X

“Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.⁸ Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! ⁹ Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow.¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:7-10

Reflections: Is there something God is asking you to submit and surrender to Him? What is keeping you from doing so? 

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