The Process of Surrender
What does it mean to surrender?
In laymen terms it’s defined as:
A means to stop fighting, give up control, or yield possession of something to another person or power.
To admit defeat, hand over control or give yourself up as a prisoner.
As a noun it’s the act of yielding, submitting, or stopping resistance.
Examples:
Military: Troops stop fighting and formally accept defeat.
Legal and Financial: Handing over a property lease early or terminating an insurance policy for a cash value.
Emotional: Letting go of the need to control a situation and accepting an outcome or feeling.
In the Bible, surrender means voluntarily giving up personal control, plans, and desires to submit completely to the authority, sovereignty, and love of God.
Key Biblical Examples
Jesus in Gethsemane: Jesus showed ultimate surrender before His crucifixion in Luke 22:42 by praying, "Yet not My will, but Yours be done". (Jesus' ultimate example of surrendering His human desires to the Father's plan in Gethsemane)
Carrying the cross: Jesus told His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily in Luke 9:23: And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Living sacrifice: Romans 12:1 – "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (A call to dedicate daily life and choices fully to God).
Transformed identity: Galatians 2:20 – "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Surrendering one's old identity and independence to live by faith).
Two different perspectives, but one truth that leads to renewal.
When I practiced new age for six years, (my testimony), the word “surrender” was used frequently to surrender:
Pride
Greed
Pain
Discomfort
Addictions
Or more specifically, layers to be removed so you’re in alignment with the divine and develop a strong connection to all living things.
The process of removing layers was performed through meditation where you visualize the hindrance, pain or addiction, as a black cord and invite Archangel Michael to cut the cord with his mighty sword and break the connection. The intent, to remove character flaws so you can be transformed and manifest your dreams and desires. Or as the definition for surrender explains, yielding to another power.
But who are you yielding power to?
The divine?
To clarify divinity in scripture, God said:
Deuteronomy 18:10
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft.”
God’s position on divination is clear.
Then there is the role of Archangel Michael. In Revelation 19:10, the apostle John wrote:
At this I fell at his feet (Archangel Michael) to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”
It’s clear, Archangel Michael is an angel appointed by God who is, in his words, a fellow servant, not an angel who cuts cords to set you free from tribulations.
In the biblical definition, surrender has a profound meaning. It’s an act of faith, obedience, more importantly, you know who you’re surrendering to—God. Who is merciful, forgiving, transforms your inequities with the blood of His Son, washing you clean so you arise from ashes.
His mighty hand moves in your life. You know each lesson learned is a layer removed by trusting His process and plan for you.
I’ve seen how God has moved in my life. He brought to surface sins I needed to confess, and behaviours that needed healing. I admit, to witness idiosyncrasies unfavourable to God, wasn’t easy, but necessary.
The end result was reaching a point where I surrendered heavy burdens of my job to Him. My position in women’s fashion has a high demand for sales. The stress was overwhelming and turned me into a person I didn’t want to be. In prayer, I surrendered to the Lord, ‘God, you know my heart, the expectations of this job, I give it to you. Let me follow your lead. Keep me safe and protected under your grace.’
To surrender to a loving God, whose intention is to mold and transform your heart into the person He foresees, is a big difference from new age practices, where you envision cord cutting and use one of God’s mightiest warriors in a way that is disrespectful.
In my new age years, I performed that meditation numerous times, and it worked. This is how the devil deceives you.
The difference with surrendering to a loving God is the relationship. He loves to hear your prayers, be still with Him, read His word to learn more about His ways and guidance, which I receive during my devotion. Recently, He said:
“Do not despair, for I am with you always. I am the ocean, earth, surrounding you with my creation. Waters become murky, such as life, but my grace redeems it all. Follow my lead and you’ll be blessed, transformed, one petal at a time. Be patient. Lean on me. I am your rod and your staff. In me, there is nothing you can’t overcome.”
After I surrendered to the Lord, I exceeded my sales target. The worry, fear and doubt, faded, as I put the Lord in charge. Now, I happily go to work, knowing the Lord has my back.
It’s a milestone achievement as when you’re grinding your way through disappointments, you can lose your way and give up. To completely surrender the emotions attached to the disappointment isn’t easy, as I found myself more than once, feel doubt creep in. Then I’d change my focus on to the Lord, and doubt was replaced with trust.
Some people think surrendering means to sacrifice your identity and lose control. Part of that is true, as you give control to God. You place Him as the one in charge.
Colossians 3:23
‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...’
You put the Lord first. Seek His advice and follow His lead. You’re still in control of your actions but you’re not alone. God is with you to lead and lean on.
Will you lose your identity?
You’ll always be a beautiful creation of God. However, surrendering everything to Him allows Him to move you onto a path that leads to change. You’ll be you, but with a deep love for the Lord and a heartfelt compassion for others.
Will you continue to have challenges?
I’d like to say, you won’t, but that isn’t God’s way. You’ll climb mountains and valleys necessary to transform your heart. The great news is during the process; you change to the person God created you to be.
It’s an ongoing process that can be embraced with joy knowing God is with you all the way. He knows the lessons will be difficult, but He sees your potential, and the outcome. Think of it as a flower. It blooms one petal at a time until it reaches its full glory.
Each step necessary for you to be in full bloom.
Each surrender, closer to achieving God’s ultimate plan for you.
View it as an exciting journey, more so, if you trust the process call out to God when you need Him. The goal—give the reigns to God, allow Him to be your guide.
By abandoning your heart to Him, you overcome obstacles like a warrior for joy, and a testimony to the goodness of God.
The new age practice to surrender doesn’t give renewal, everlasting peace, or a relationship with a loving Father who sacrificed His one and only Son so you could be saved and have eternal life. It doesn’t bless you with the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is borne from the resurrection of Jesus and resides inside of you, as a guide and teacher.
In truth, it opens the door to shadows and darkness.
You may not notice this change as new agers are focused on being in harmony with nature and elevating they’re higher power, or intuition to guide them. Moreover, it’s a culture where you focus on yourself as being in the driver’s seat, manifesting visions of how you want your life to unfold. This process is self-serving and separates you from the true God of creation.
When you surrender to God, you walk in faith and trust. As Susie Larson, author and podcaster states:
“Faith is the Vision. Trust is the decision.”
Faith is a substance of things hoped for. Trust is believing, “God, you’ve got this.”
God becomes the lead in your life, not a higher power.
There are millions who fall into the trap of ‘new age’. However, it’s the devil’s playground deceiving you to believe in alternate sources for spirituality, so you don’t surrender your life to the Lord.
You were born on purpose for a purpose—to surrender your heart to a loving Father who is eager to take you under His wing.
To lead you out of the desert and into the land of milk and honey.
To change your heart of stone to a heart of flesh.
To recognize life is a spiritual warfare where you have the choice to surrender to His light or darkness.
God gave you free will to make a choice. You make decisions every day with or without Him. I know without Him, I fall. With Him I rise. His peace, joy, and knowing His deep love for me, is what helps me get through the storms.
The Lord said to me:
“I give you life—drink it. It will lift you out of the darkness and into the light. Seek it and never lose sight of it. It’s the bread of life I have given to you. Embrace it for my Son is in you and with you always. Sacrificed to give you life. To redeem you and your sins.
It is mine to give to who I choose. I give it to you freely.”
God is there for you. To give freely the bread of life in His Son. To lead you to redemption. If you’re ready, say the words, “Jesus, forgive me for my sins. My heart is yours.”
To help you on your journey, I created a Prayer Journal to remove behaviours that distract you from the Lord by adapting verse John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Words spoken by John the Baptist. It’s taking a deep look into your behaviours, passions, and being aware of idiosyncrasies to surrender to build your relationship with the Lord and give Him permission to move in your life.
In Christ Jesus, you overcome these desires by making the choice to decrease, and allow Jesus to increase, and open door to miracles.
To decrease your needs, wants, allows Jesus to grow in you and through you to glorify God. It’s accomplished through prayer, surrender, studying scripture, and worship.
It’s a digital download where you can print as many copies as you need.
The Prayer Journal is available as a digital download at my ETSY Shop, at Archway Designs by CFC Studios.
Grab a copy today.
Let’s Pray,
Heavenly Father you created me for a purpose. Be my guide and protect me from deception of the enemy. Keep my eyes focused on the bread of life in your Son, Christ Jesus. Help me to surrender my heart so I can be renewed in His blood and walk in His light.
Amen,
God Bless,
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A creative professional passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ and encouraging others in their walk with the Lord.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of the word of God and how He perceives new age indoctrination.
Moreover, it’s written to inspire and encourage Christians in their walk of faith.
Prayer Journals
To help you in your faith journey, I created Prayer Journals, to build a closer bond with Christ Jesus.
As you grow, it’s important to dedicate time to be with God in prayer, a quiet space to meet with Him, and invite Him into your daily thoughts. In doing so, you will experience His peace and presence in every aspect of your life.
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I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or fine art available for wall décor.
