It seems like the harder I try to surrender a desire or an area of my life to God, the harder it becomes to give up that desire or area. It's even more challenging when a desire is not a sinful one, but just one that God does not appear to be fulfilling right now. Should I hold on to that desire in the hopes that He will fulfill it, or should I surrender it anyway?
How do you come to a point of total surrender? Does surrendering mean that you no longer have these desires, or is surrender possible in spite of still feeling the same desires?
Even when I pray that God will exchange my desires for His, my original desires linger, and I still struggle to let them go. It's very frustrating at times. So how do I completely let go and give it all over to God?
Lots of questions today, I know--feel free to offer any words of wisdom and insight!
Front Door/Back Door
1 day ago
6 comments:
very good questions! I have some thoughts...but I'm my way out the door. I'll get back to you later.
Have a good day!!!
You don't know what God may be working for you. Don't try to bust through doors that aren't ready to be opened yet. Just enjoy today... it's a gift.
I may not have answers to your questions, but I can tell you that I relate to what you're saying. This is something I struggle with a LOT.
I do know this: God has a plan for you. This means that sometimes his plans aren't going to coincide with yours, but rest assured that HIS are always better!
I hope you have a great day!
I’m not sure if these are going to be words of wisdom, but they are lessons I’ve learned from experience of struggling with surrender.
I think surrender is possible in spite of still feeling the same desires. God made us to feel and to have desires. He gives us our desires so I don’t think He expects us to completely forget about them. Sometimes He fulfills our desires and some times we have to be willing to surrender/sacrifice our desires. After we come to the point of total surrender/sacrifice, He might then fulfill the desire…and He might not. I think He wants us to see and be aware of where our hearts are truly focused. Are our hearts focused on having our desires fulfilled or are our hearts focused on Him? That’s one reason why I think it is possible to surrender but still feel a desire…it helps us to examine our hearts and stay true to Him.
“How do you come to a point of total surrender?” For me, I have to come to the point where I stop fighting God. If He’s calling me to surrender but I’m saying “But I really want this! I don’t want to give it up!”; I’m focusing on my desire. Fighting God is tiring and frustrating because I’m never going to win. Once I stop fighting and release the tug-of-war going on in my mind, I am usually able to come to the point of total surrender and I have peace that every thing is going to be fine whether He fulfills that desire or not.
Maybe instead of praying for God to exchange your desires for His, you could try praying for His help in surrendering your desire and asking for peace. Maybe your desires are already His desires!…have you thought about that? If that’s the case, He can’t exchange your desires for His because they are already one in the same. The thing is, you have to remember that He doesn’t fulfill every desire.
I like what Terri said!!
Don't know if this has helped you any. Just thought I'd share some...maybe you can take something from my thoughts...
If it was that easy it wouldn't be called surrender. Of course the same desires are going to be there...and sometimes they will sneak up on you and overwhelm you when you think your surrender is complete. Choosing is an ongoing process. Everyday new feelings and emotions will come and eventually the old "desires" will fade a little more.
Surrender is not easy and you don't have to "like" it. I think the book of Lamentations is given to us to let us know it is OK to tell God..."This sucks! Help me!"
Hang in there!
I think holding onto anything that distracts you from your relationship with God is always a prime candidate for the "Surrender File". For me, recognizing that I do not have control, true control, of my life helps me to not "kick against the pricks".
Sometimes we need to be like that donkey, being driven by our Master. I think the Key here is that you are being driven during this time of your life, but God still has the blinders on, just as a donkey would. You are not in a stagnant place...there is motion going on here. Maybe away from these desires and into a place flowing with "milk and honey". Who knows...but you must trust the One who is leading you through this time.
TRUST Him. He's the best navigator there is, and He won't lead you into a big slimy tar pit.
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