Part One: Surrender…Who Me?
*Can you think of any areas in your life where you are struggling to give up control and surrender them to the Lord?
A Life Beyond Control
*Laura shares the quick synopsis of the big struggles she and her family went through. She says that it actually might be easier to surrender in the big struggles. Do you find that this is true? Is it the smaller daily struggles that seem to be more difficult to surrender? Why do you think that might be?
*“Not just in the losses but even in the victories, surrender is the secret to a life of joy” (pg. 19). Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
Dear God: Let’s Be Co-Rulers. Love, Me
*Do you allow your circumstances to dictate your understanding of God or do you allow God to dictate your understanding of your circumstances?
*Are there areas of your life where you feel that you could do a better job at ruling? Are there some areas that are easier to surrender to God?
*The author gives five steps to put in place when the battle for control begins (pg.31):
- I acknowledge the struggle
- I confess my strong desire to be in charge, and I name my fear of not being in charge
- I admit that my emotions do not always tell me the truth about my circumstances or about my God
- I search God’s Word for truth and keep it always before me
- I remind myself of God’s faithfulness to his children throughout history and of his faithfulness to me
What step do you need to work on?
Scripture of the Week
Romans 12:1-2
Ephesians 2:8-9
Psalm 1:1-3
Jeremiah 29:11
Prayer of the Week
Father God, we want to surrender. Help us to surrender control of our lives to You. You know the full picture of our life and we do not. Help us to take ourselves off the throne and let You reign there unrivaled by anyone or anything. Help us to notice the times we are wrestling You for control and help us to release our hold. Remind us of Your faithfulness and encourage us during these next few weeks. Thank You for loving us so much. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For Next Week
*Read Part Two: Who Do I Surrender To?
This statement needs to be before me pretty much all the time š: āBeing a woman who is absolutely in control of her own life is not a goal I need to aspire to.ā (Page 20)
Being in control is an illusion that we all still end up falling for in some way or another. I personally struggle to give up control and surrender to God in three areas: marriage, finances, and parenting.
I have my ideas on how things should go in these areas, but as we know reality usually isnāt the same. š Specifically with marriage and parenting, itās not just what I want that matters – so my trying to control things really canāt workā¦.and yet I try so hard to āmake things happen.ā
I do agree with the author that the ābigā struggles are often easier to surrender – but even that depends on what each of us considers a big struggle. For me, health is one of those big categories, and I find it easy to trust God because I recognize how my health isnāt something I can ultimately control – even if Iām ādoing everything right.ā
When we donāt feel we have control, we donāt feel peace (at least thatās how it goes with me). But I also agree with the author that if we surrender, this will give us joy. Iām learning more and more when I feel in control it leads not necessarily to peace (like I thought) but rather happiness – which is fleeting and determined by circumstances. So, by recognizing I donāt have (shouldnāt have) control, and letting God take over, I find Iām able to experience joy rather than happiness because my situation may still be the same but able to know Godās still got meā¦instead of me thinking Iāve got myself. š
Co-ruling with God sadly has been my mentality – I just didnāt really have a name for it until recently. I need to get out of the driverās seatā¦
The two steps I need to work on which I think will help me release control and surrender are:
-admitting my emotions donāt always tell the truth of my circumstances or God
-remind myself of Godās faithfulness to me
Waving the white flag isnāt a sign of weakness. It means we need help. We have help in Christ, and itās so sad that so much of the time we know this, but still are too proud to ask for it. Iām learning Heās here to help us, but also isnāt going to just swoop in without our permission. Yes, He changes our hearts (is the Only One who can), but we need to want to allow Him to change us. Heās patient and always ready. Heās waiting for us to raise that white banner and start moving it back and forth so He can help.