WHY SURRENDER IS IMPORTANT AND DIFFERENT THAN TRYING

In the beginning I had no idea why surrender was so important. Little did I know, it would take nights out in the rain on my knees screaming to God, begging him to take the rage away and Luke 17:33 to fully understand why surrender is important and how it’s different from trying.

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 17:29‭-‬33

WHAT IS BIBLICAL SURRENDER

In Luke 17:33 Jesus says “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”

He says that the person who attempts to save their own life is going to lose it. This may sound extreme, like will you really lose your life.

Death?

Or is this one of those Eve and apple moments. Did Adam and Eve phyiscally die when they ate of the forbidden fruit. No. But they did die spiritually!

As a result, their actions caused God to kick them out of the Garden of Eden and thousands of years later send Jesus to create reconciliation from that death.

Let’s take another look at Luke 17:32, the scripture just before for some context. In Luke 17:32 Jesus says simply, “Remember Lot’s wife.”

What was significant to remember about Lot’s wife? After the embarrassing disaster of sin filled lifestyles in the cities of Sodom and Gomarrah God takes action and rains brimstone and fire from the heavens, destroying everything.

The Lord told Lot and family not to look back for the reason being, Sodom and Gomorrah were filled with life that opposed God. They lived in rebellion, homosexuality, witchcraft, idolatry and more.

With instantaneous regret I’m sure, Lot’s wife did look back and she died on the spot, turning to a pillar of salt.

Although Lot’s wife physically died, it was because of a spiritual reason. She looked back toward her own life in an act of disobedience, refusing to surrender to the Lord.

Whereas Eve experienced the opposite. She died spiritually by committing a physical act of disobedience in efforts to better her own life. She to refused surrender to the Lord.

Plain and simple, surrender is important because it’s doing as the Lord wills you to do regardless of what it might be. Also, as seen, regardless of whether it’s spiritual or physical.

HOW IS SURRENDER DIFFERENT THAN TRYING

The idea here is that when we’re doing life, whether it be homemaking, mothering, or wifeing it must be in God’s design and how he instructs. In reality, most people are trying instead of surrendering.

To further illustrate, for several years after I was born-again and married, life was incredibly difficult. It seemed like no matter how much I did, things weren’t getting better. And even more, life seemed worse. We fought more and louder with more intensity. The pull between corporate work and home was exhausting and to top it all off I was epically failing at motherhood but continuing to get pregnant.

Oh, the irony!

The second half of the verse Luke 17:33 says. And whoever loses his life will preserve it.

This is the call to action and is far too often ignored. Truth is, life is but a vapor and everything is a vexation of spirit. No matter what you do it will never satisfy you physically or spiritually. But letting go, which is surrender, leaves the door open for God to do. When you let go you’re in position to hear what he wants you to do.

You can ask yourself how much extra work do you want to do to get no where at record speeds?

Surrender is important because it forces you to stop trying. When you stop trying and listen to His direction instead you won’t do unnecessary work and you will get places, amazing places, above and beyond what you imagined.

Trying leaves you distracted and miles deep in busy work. Surrender blesses you with focus and get you to places you never thought possible.

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HOW TO APPLY SURRENDER TO MARRIAGE

Surrender is important for your marriage to succeed.

Here we’ve got, two people coming together, along with baggage, personal dreams, aspirations, and character. Not all of the fore mentioned is gonna be good and furthermore its akin to a goulash stew. All of that could collide in a not-so-beautiful explosion of chaos.

First, start by understanding roles of a biblical marriage. With zero room for negotiation, your husband is the head of household. He’s the leader. His responsibilities include teaching, providing, decision making and more.

Second, the wife is the helpmeet. Her responsibilities include, helping her husband accomplish his desires, keeping the home, and raising the children.

These roles haven’t changed although society has. God stays the same even when society makes a turn.

Surrender in a thriving marriage yields all wants and desires to God’s Design.

Instead of fighting your husband as head of household submit to it. For instance, when your husband makes a decision don’t question it. No asking why or offering another option. Questioning his decisions is in like manner questioning his authority. If he asks for your input give it, but other than that keep your peace.

Give up the corporate world if your husband so desires. God will provide when we surrender to his will. Our family is a living testimony. We are a family of 9 on one income and zero state or federal assistance. It can be done. As mentioned before, surrender leads to blessing.

When you choose to accept surrender your life will be mightily blessed and so will your marriage.

IN THE END

Surrender is when you choose to give up trying to do your life your way. Hence why Jesus said, those who seek to save their life will lose it.

Keep your focus on the WAYS and WILL of God.

Trying is a waste of your time and energy. Life is full and eventful the last thing you need is busy work that gets you mo where super fast.

Surrender is blessed and also commanded.

Your marriage will be at it’s best when you surrender.

Without a doubt, your marriage is a reflection of your relationship with the Lord, with that said, make it count!

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ttfn,Jamee