Do you ever “let go” of something, place it in God’s hands, then take it back again and again and again? Why?

Why is it hard to surrender, to let go of what is controlling in your life more than you want? 

Surrender is giving up something, or giving control of something to someone else.

Surrendering to God means to give yourself up to God, to allow God to be in charge—yield to Him or submit to Him—to trust God to be in control of all the things you cannot. Sometimes surrender means giving up trying to understand and be comfortable with not knowing the answers . . . knowing that God does know.

There are a lot of circumstances, people, and things in every person’s life that no one can be in control of. It is beyond your reach to fix, to change, to make sense of it, or to understand. Rather than feel frustration, hurt, and anxiety over what we cannot control, take comfort in what you can control and turn your thoughts to God—your relationship with God, and the trust, faith, and hope you have with Him.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~ Matthew 6:33-34

Pope John Paul II suggests that we all have a lot to learn about surrender from Christ’s mother, Mary. “From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!”

Talk with God . . .

PAUSE . . . ask God to help you center your mind and heart to recognize what person, incident, circumstance, addiction, pain, hurt, or anything else that you need to let go of . . . maybe again . . . probably again and again.

Every single person has something that gets in the way, that hurts, that creates chaos. It is okay to admit it—we are not perfect, and never
will be.

Sometimes we just need to humble ourselves before God and let Him guide us through the rough road and detours. He will give you strength, help you find peace with yourself and within yourself.

Are you ready to let God help you, to put into His hands what you are struggling to deal with?

Are you ready to surrender to God’s will and find peace where you haven’t found it lately?

“Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’”
~ Matthew 21:21-23

Rethink & Consider . . .

Searching for the peace and serenity that comes with yielding to God, surrendering, letting go of things you can’t control . . . every moment, with the emotions involved, takes a lot out of you, drains you with exhaustion, tears, tense muscles, and an anxious heart and soul.

Another friend speaks of searching for peace . . . “When I have to find peace it’s because I’m not in it. So the trick is to remember a time that I felt at peace and that it is possible. That helps a lot and is often the difference for me between feeling a bit lost versus despairing. It’s said He came to save the lost. Maybe that’s why the message resonates—I almost always feel out of step, out of place, or out of time. When I need to bring peace in the moment I envision a color (only one), do breathing exercises, and hold my palms open upwards in my lap. This typically gets me centered enough that I can sense what’s making me ‘unpeaceful’ . . . and then pray over it or make a plan to do the next right thing. Finding peace always involves identifying and letting go (even if only temporarily) of the thing that’s dragging me away.”

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” ~ Psalm 37:7a

You are never alone . . . many struggle to “let go and let God.” For this moment in time, relax . . . stretch your sore muscles, relax your shoulders . . . take slow, deep breaths with long, full releases of air . . . close your eyes and see yourself where you find peace and calm.

Imagine . . .

Look at the picture carefully and imagine where your life fits into this scenario . . . the chains, the birds flying freely, the light, the open sky?

What do you need to do differently to break away from what is holding you bound?

Or, what have you already broken away from and just need God’s assurance you are on the right path?

Think about what you have placed in God’s hands today . . . now leave it there.

Turn your hands upward, palms open, asking God’s Spirit to fill you with His strength and love . . . and fly like the wild birds in the sky.

Reflect & Pray . . .

Think about this . . . “Surrender to what is . . . Let go of what was . . . Have faith in what will be” (Sonia Ricotti).

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” ~ Psalm 32:8

Nothing—No THING—is bigger than Jesus—than the power of God in your life, if you allow Him in.

Prayerfully ask God . . . to help you surrender your anxiety and sense of urgency . . . to allow Him to guide you in the pacing of your life, opening your heart to God’s timing, not your own, so that as you open your heart to His timing you can attain peace and comfort . . . and ask God for His affirmation for what you are doing right in His eyes.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:32

Look Ahead/In the Moment/Today/Tomorrow . . .

Dwight L. Moody wrote, "Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can."

Believe that, trust it, and have that faith in God.

Hold onto this image . . .
As you move into the next moment, the next day, and beyond . . .  When you struggle with things you need to give to God, find a rubber band, or maybe a lot of rubber bands. There are two things you can do . . . either put it on your wrist and snap it whenever you need to remind yourself that God is in control, and you are not.

Or, name your rubber band with what you are “releasing” to God (write on it if it helps), then shoot it as far away as possible . . . let it go! Do this as often as needed.

“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves” (Dalai Lama). Truly, peace must come from within . . . the world won’t give it to you . . . only God can help you find what you need.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11-1

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A Focus for Walking the Labyrinth . . .

The words to the hymn "I Surrender All" can provide a gentle, lyrical conversation with God as you “walk” the labyrinth: 

All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

Remember . . . the avenue of prayer that you see before you does come to a place of centering, where you can pause, rest, or wait to hear God and feel his peace and serenity.

Give thanks for whatever comes.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” ~ Psalm 51:10

BELIEVE IN GOD ~ FOLLOW CHRIST ~ LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT