It is indisputable that submission to God is important for Christians. Submission or surrender is described as giving over one’s control, hopes, and actions to God and recognizing Him as the King of every area of life.
However, the question remains: Have you completely surrendered your all to God as a Christian? This question always triggers a rather serious self-examination, which often uncovers a shortfall in who we really are.
What Does It Mean to Surrender to God?
Surrendering to God means letting go of our own agendas and fully trusting His plans for our lives. It involves a daily commitment to live according to His will rather than our own. Jesus emphasized the importance of this when He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23, NIV). This verse highlights the idea of daily surrender—choosing to lay down our lives, ambitions, and desires to follow Jesus.
It includes an acknowledgment of the authority of God and confidence that His ways are better than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). It’s recognizing that our understanding is limited, but God’s wisdom is infinite. Surrender is not a one-time event but a continual process of yielding more of ourselves to God as we grow in faith.
Signs of Incomplete Surrender
While many Christians desire to surrender to God fully, certain signs might indicate incomplete surrender. Here are a few things to look out for:
Clinging to Control
One clear sign of incomplete surrender is when people are unwilling to relinquish control over certain areas of their lives. In most cases, it’s the desire to dictate their future, career, relationships, finances, and other aspects instead of seeking guidance from God and submitting to His will.
Fear and Anxiety
If fear and anxiety dominate your mind, it might be a sign that you have not given your entire life to God yet. In Philippians 4:6-7, believers are encouraged to make known their requests to God, with the promise that His peace will guard their hearts and minds. This is faithful trust in God. He will provide peace even when everything is in chaos.
Selective Obedience
Partial submission often leads to partial obedience—obeying God’s commandments in some aspects while disregarding others. Total surrender is complete obedience to God, even if it may be hard or against one’s wishes.
Lack Of Contentment
Contentment shows trust in God’s provision and timing, recognizing He knows what’s best for us. A lack of contentment reveals that we are still holding on to our desires rather than embracing God’s plan.
The Benefits of Complete Surrender
Surrendering to God might seem frightening, and this is completely understandable. However, the benefits far outweigh the perceived cost. Complete surrender brings profound transformation and peace to a believer’s life.
Deeper Relationship with God
Surrendering to God allows you to get closer to Him, making you more sensitive to His presence and voice in your everyday life. This brings joy and fulfillment that nothing else can replace.
Freedom from Burden
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Here, Jesus invites us to come to Him and find rest. Surrendering to God means letting go of the heavy burdens of worry and fear and striving to control outcomes. In exchange, He offers a lighter yoke filled with His peace and guidance.
Alignment with God’s Purpose
When you give yourself to God, you align with His plan. You start to understand your situation with a glimpse of His perspective, realizing that everything has a purpose in His plan. This alignment leads to a life of meaning and significance based on the certainty that you follow God’s intentions.
Spiritual Growth
Complete surrender will help you experience spiritual growth. As you trust God more, your faith strengthens, and you become more Christ-like. The process of surrender refines you, drawing you closer to the image of Christ.
How to Surrender Completely
Complete surrender isn’t an overnight achievement, but through a series of intentional steps and daily decisions, it can be achieved:
Daily Prayer and Reflection
Begin each day by submitting your plans, desires, and worries to God in prayer. Ask Him to guide your decisions and help you surrender areas that you struggle to let go of.
Soak Yourself in Scripture
The Word of God is one of the greatest tools for ultimate surrender. Staying true to God’s purpose is easy if a person reads and ponders Scripture frequently. Verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 teach us to trust the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding.
Choose to Obey
Decide to follow God’s command even when it’s challenging. Being obedient in small matters leads to greater surrender in all aspects.
Look for Support
Find other believers who can also help you through the surrendering process. Accountability partners will help you address certain resistance areas and seek God through prayer as you strive to completely surrender.
Trust God’s Timing
Surrendering also involves patience and trust in God’s timing. His plans are perfect, and His timings are always right. Waiting on the Lord means storing confidence and hope in God’s goodness and mercy.
God Will Never Fail You
As Christians, it’s essential to fully submit to God to lead a life that glorifies Him and aligns with His will. This means letting go of control, seeking guidance from God’s wisdom, and choosing to follow Him daily.
Giving our all is challenging, but the reward is a peaceful heart, a clear purpose, and spiritual growth. Take a moment to reflect on your own life—have you fully surrendered to God, or do you still have reservations? Today is an opportunity to move closer to complete surrender and trust in God’s good plans for you, knowing that His love never wavers.
More From Hope No Matter What
15 Misconceptions About Jesus Christ That the Bible Addresses
14 Indicators You’re Experiencing a Spiritual Attack and How to Overcome It
10 Misconceptions About Prayer: What Many Christians Get Wrong
16 Remarkable Ways God Has Shaped History
Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.