From Resistance to Surrender: Overcoming the Fears of Following God Fully  

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Moving from resistance to surrender is never easy. By definition to surrender means to abandon yourself entirely to something greater than you are. Not only does this wound our human pride, it also comes with a large dose of fear. It can be quite difficult to see past that fear of giving up your old life to face what lies on the other side of following the Lord.  

However, surrender to the Lord, though still daunting, is a surrender that comes with such whole and wonderful joy. We so often hear the word “surrender” and want to hold on tighter to the things we value in this world. I have experienced the difficulty of loosening my grip. I always need to know the plan; I always need to have a hand in it. It’s hard to stop and trust.  

The Problem of the White-Knuckle Approach

But feeling like that, keeping up that white-knuckle grip, comes with so much weight and anxiety. It’s like being trapped underwater—your brain telling you at every moment not to take in air, don’t relieve the burning in your lungs—not realizing that God has given you what you need to breathe. He’s placing it in your hands, you just need to lift it to your lips and take that first breath. But in order to do that, you have to trust—trust that He is there with you, trust that it will work out, trust He knows what He’s doing—and that relief will come.  

Again, that idea of turning it all over to Him, of letting it all fall from your hands, of trusting in Him, can be so very difficult. We want to dig in our heels—and our fingers—latch on to the things of this world and use them to cover our face from the Father. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  

Surrendering Because God is Good

God doesn’t want you to set aside the things of this world because He wants to be strict with you. He doesn’t set His rules in place to control and confine you. By letting yourself surrender to Him fully, allowing Him to renew your mind and fill it with His love and goodness, you are arming yourself with the knowledge you need to see what actually is good for you.  You can move from resistance to surrender, turning from the things that would bring you to a darker place, though it may not seem at first as if they would. 

Luke 9:23-25 says, “And he [Jesus] said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?’”  

It can be so hard for people to see past the fear of releasing control of their own lives. We see the false freedom the world offers and shy away from the true freedom Christ suffered and died to give us. When we embrace the world, the weight of it crushes us. When we embrace the Savior, when we submit to Him, He takes the weight upon His own shoulders, and steps side by side as we walk up whatever hill stands in front of us.

Deeper Reflection on Surrender

Now listen to a short segment of this meditation from Abide based on Luke 9:23 on moving from resistance to surrender.

A Prayer For You to Move From Resistance to Surrender

Allow me to pray for you, if I may.  

Lord, be with this reader today as they struggle to move from fear to surrender. Touch their hearts, God, and give them the strength and the courage to take that first breath and give it all to You. Thank You for constantly wanting what is best for them. Help them to not lean on their own understanding, but to allow your Word to guide them and help them discern all that is good and perfect. You are our courage, oh Lord, and you walk beside us when we feel heavy.

Help this reader loosen their grip on the things of this world, so that burden may be lifted from their shoulders, and they may share in Your glory forever and ever. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who died and rose that we may know You, and speak with You like this. Thank You for watching out for each of us. Amen. 

To go deeper on the topic of moving from resistance to surrender, listen to the full-length version of the above meditation. You can find it by downloading the Abide app and starting a premium subscription. Use this link for 25% off. You’ll gain access to our entire library of content.

Morgan is a Junior at the University of Central Florida where she is pursuing her degree in Creative Writing. She lives in Florida with her family and their two cats, Stella and Luna.