There are three main barriers that retard surrender to God:
+ fear
+ pride and
+ confusion
The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, interfering with God's work within us. You know you're surrendered to GOD when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. Instead of trying harder, trust in Him more.
So give it all to God: your fears, past regrets, present problems, future ambitions, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts and hang ups. Take note surrendering these to God is not passive resignation, fatalism, or an excuse for lethargy and laziness or accepting the status quo. Surrendering is not for cowards or doormats. It is taking up the sword against it all; instead of struggling on your own, you now do battle on His behalf (your afflictions, ambitions and convictions are now His); and if God is with us, who can stand against us?
We are humans. It is when we try to be God (doing it all by ourselves) that we end up most like Satan, who desired the same thing - so beware.
Surrender is best achieved through obedience to and trust in God. Like Jesus Christ did ~ even unto the Cross ~ so we must do, offer and follow albeit beyond our current understanding. The greatest hindrance to surrender to God is yourself. There is a moment of surrender, and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. If we are to be true 'living sacrifices', and only human, you may have to RE-SURRENDER several times a day - and make it a conscious habit. You will be tested constantly.
God bless, strengthen and keep us close! I love you ~ Stafford
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” -1 John 4:10
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I came home this evening and was about to write a scathing narrative about an injustice that had been on my mind all day... then I read the tenth day chapter...
ReplyDeleteOn this day of your life know this... that it's your heart that knows who loves you, not your ears or eyes.
ReplyDeleteListen to the words, and you can be fooled. Look at the actions, and you can be fooled. Feel deeply into your heart, and then you will know the truth. Who makes your heart soar now?
Well, what are you waiting for?