Have you ever felt like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? And thought that if you just tried harder, planned better, or held on tighter, maybe—just maybe—everything would work out?

I know I've felt that way. And I've learned (often the hard way) that while holding on can feel like strength, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is to let go and trust God.

I'm not talking about giving up, or pretending everything is fine or ignoring what's hard.

Surrender is about loosening your grip on the outcomes, the timelines, and the need to have everything figured out. It's choosing to trust God with what you can't control and finding peace in knowing He's working even when you can't see it yet.

Why Surrender Can Feel Hard (But Matters So Much)

Most of us weren't taught to surrender. We were taught to fix things, and figure things out on our own.

Even with regard to faith, we sometimes believe that if we just do more or pray harder, we can make everything happen on our timeline. But the truth is—God doesn't expect us us to carry the weight of the world. He wants us us to trust Him with it.

Surrender doesn't mean giving up. It means admitting that we're not meant to handle life alone. It means trusting that God's plan is bigger and better than what we can see right now. And it means making a daily (sometimes moment-by-moment) choice to open your hands and say, “God, I trust You with this.”

Sometimes surrender is a huge leap, a career change, a move, a tough conversation. But often, it's the small, quiet decisions:

• Letting go of the timeline you had for your dreams and trusting God's perfect timing.
• Releasing resentment and choosing to forgive.
• Trusting that God is working in a loved one's life even when you can't see it.
• Choosing to rest in His presence rather than pushing yourself to the limit.

Proverbs 3:5–6 Says It Best:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

It's a simple truth, but it's not always easy to live out. Trusting God with *all* your heart means giving Him access to every part of your life, not just the parts you think you've got under control. It means believing He's good and faithful, even when the way forward is hard to see.

What Happens When You Let Go?

Surrender might not change the situation overnight, but it always changes you. When you let go and trust God, you'll notice a shift inside you. You'll start to breathe easier, stress less, and rest more deeply in the assurance that He's got you.

💡 Peace replaces pressure. You realize you're not the one holding it all together—God is.

💡 Faith grows deeper. You start to remember that He's been faithful before, and He will be faithful again.

💡 Doors open. When you let go of trying to force things, you make room for God to work in ways you never imagined.

Surrender isn't the end, it's the beginning of a new way of responding It's where faith and freedom collide, and where God is free to do what only He can do.

📝 Action Step: Make Surrender Real

Surrender is easier to talk about than to live out, so let's make it practical. This week, try one (or more) of these steps:

✅ Write it down. Make a list of the things you’ve been trying to control—situations, relationships, worries. Circle the one that's weighing you down the most right now.

✅ Pray honestly. Talk to God about how you really feel. Try this: "Lord, I've been carrying this by myself, and I'm tired. I don't have all the answers, but I know You do. I release this to You."

✅ Release your timeline. Surrender means trusting God's timing, even when it looks different from your own plan.

✅ Take a small step of trust. Whether that's resting instead of striving, saying “yes” to a new opportunity, or choosing to forgive—every step counts.

✅ Talk it out. Share what God is teaching you about surrender with a friend or mentor. Speaking about ti out loud helps your heart catch up with your mind.

A Prayer For You (To Pray Out Loud)

Father, You know the burdens I've been carrying, the weight of responsibilities, the worries that keep me awake at night, and the plans I cling to so tightly. You know the fears that creep in when I think about the future, and the doubts that make me question if I'm strong enough to handle it all.

Today, I choose to let go of trying to figure everything out on my own. I choose to surrender. Teach me, Lord, to trust You more deeply. Help me to release the things I can't control, to loosen my grip on the things that weigh me down, and to find rest in knowing that You're always faithful.

I lay everything at Your feet, my plans, my fears, my dreams, and my worries. I invite You to take the lead, to guide me in each step I take, and to give me courage to follow where You lead. Strengthen my faith and remind me that I am never alone.

In Jesus' name, Amen

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Coming Next:

Next time, we'll talk about Building Spiritual Resilience, because after you let go, you need strength to keep walking forward in faith, even when life feels uncertain.

Until then, let go, breathe more easily, and know that God is working on your behalf.

With love and encouragement,
Lynne