Surrender to God | Embrace the Gift of Letting Go

Are you a Christian who wholeheartedly believes in God, yet you feel stuck when it comes to surrendering to God and connecting with Him on a deeper, more spiritual level?

I’ve been there. I wanted to surrender to God fully and be close to Him, but I felt like I couldn’t. I would go to church, longing to worship Him freely—to cry, sing, lift my hands, and pour my heart out—but something always held me back.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. What you’re feeling isn’t unusual—it’s a challenge many of us face, and this biblical explanation rooted in surrender to God is one way to understand and overcome these feelings. It wasn’t until I began praying about feeling uncomfortable in my own skin and struggling to surrender to God that He started to reveal the reason behind it.

In today’s blog, we’ll explore surrendering to God: the incredible gift it offers, why it’s so hard, and how to embrace it to grow closer to Him. If you’d like additional resources, check out my Bible study guides designed to help you dive deeper into God’s Word. You can also watch my accompanying YouTube video for more insights on this topic.

The Gift of Surrender: An Intentional Life Led by God

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
—John 15:1-4 (NIV)

The gift of surrendering to God is a fruitful life. For many, the desire for a fruitful life becomes their primary focus, leading them to either draw closer to God or drift away. Yet, in John 15, we see Jesus promise a fruitful life in return for our surrender to God.

We live in a fallen world ruled by evil, so challenges are inevitable. But even in the midst of difficulty, God offers an alternative: a life of peace, purpose, and blessing for those who love Him and choose to surrender themselves as living sacrifices. In return, He carries the burdens of their lives and blesses them abundantly.

This is something to rejoice in, yet many struggle to find joy in surrendering to God. Why? Because laying ourselves down as a sacrifice requires trust in God—and that’s hard when we idolize ourselves and our desires instead of trusting His plan.

Why Surrender Feels Impossible

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
—Romans 12:1 (NIV)

God calls us to live a life of sacrifice, which He sees as true and proper worship. Yet, the fact that God repeatedly addresses how we should honor Him throughout the Bible reveals a hard truth: our natural inclination is not to worship God but to worship ourselves.

How to Surrender

Surrendering to God can feel difficult, and without even realizing it, you might stop trying. It requires patience with yourself and self-love. Surrendering doesn’t always come naturally, but it’s worth pushing through because it leads to what is best for you: God.

Here are three ways you can surrender to God in your life today:

1. Start with Worship
   Instead of beginning with prayer, meet God in worship. Find a quiet space and put on worship music. Let the atmosphere and your heart be filled with His presence. Stay in that moment as long as it takes for you to feel at ease, allowing the lyrics to sink in and reflecting on how they apply to your life. Worship creates space for God to meet you where you are, without the noise of requests or worries.
2. Dive Into His Word
   Take time to know God and His promises through Scripture. Focus on listening rather than talking. Observe His character, decisions, and actions as revealed in the Bible. Understanding who He is will deepen your relationship and help you trust Him more fully.
3. Pray with Intimacy
   When you pray, focus solely on your relationship with Him. Ask for help with surrendering to God through worship and understanding His Word. Set aside concerns about other areas of life, trusting that He has already taken care of them. Use this time to nurture the intimacy of your connection with God.

Embrace the Gift of Surrender

Surrendering to God is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to lay down your desires, fears, and need for control. It’s a daily choice that transforms your entire self. You may go from feeling nervous or hesitant to pray and worship in front of others to boldly sharing your faith at every opportunity.

Though it may feel like an impossible journey, surrender to God is an act of trust, worship, and love that deepens your relationship with Him. Through worship, diving into His Word, and intimate prayer, you can draw closer to Him and experience the peace and purpose only He can provide. Don’t let the weight of the world hold you back from the abundant life He promises.

If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to explore my resources, including Bible study guides designed to help you grow in your faith. And be sure to watch the accompanying YouTube video for more insights on surrender.

Love,
Dorothy