“O most compassionate Jesus, grant me the grace to forget myself that I may live totally for souls, helping You in the work of salvation, according to the most holy will of Your Father…” – Divine Mercy in My Soul # 1265
This is one aspect of my Road of Faith in which I struggle greatly. I don’t know what surrender looks like, I struggle to do it.
Surrendering to God is a profound act of faith and trust, where we consciously choose to align our will with His, recognizing His loving sovereignty over our lives. It’s not about giving up or becoming passive, but rather actively entrusting ourselves completely to His care and guidance.
Here’s what it means and how to cultivate this surrender:
Total Trust and Abandonment: At its heart, surrender is a complete abandonment of self into God’s hands. It means letting go of our own plans, fears, and doubts, and trusting that God will sustain and protect us, even when we can’t see the path ahead. This can be challenging because it requires facing the “little knot of fear” that wonders if God will truly catch us when we fall. However, as spiritual writers have noted, the greatest freedom and security come from choosing to do only God’s willi.
Accepting God’s Will in Daily Life: Surrender is lived out in the ordinary circumstances of each day. It involves an attitude of acceptance and openness to God’s will as it is revealed in our daily situations, rather than relying solely on our own planned approaches or calculated methods. This means embracing both joys and sufferings, seeing them as opportunities to grow in conformity to God’s will.
Relying on Grace, Not Self-Strength: We are called to glory not in our own strength, but in God, who not only gives us the aid to persevere but also inspires the will to do so. Our human will is weak, but divine grace can influence it unchangeably and invincibly, helping us to remain steadfast even in adversity. This means recognizing that we cannot achieve this surrender purely through our own efforts; it is a gift of grace that God offers.
Cultivating an Attitude of Love and Gratitude: Surrendering entirely to God means giving everything we do and possess over to Him, so that He may reign as King in our lives. This leads to joy in our hearts, as we learn to rejoice in all that we have and give thanks to God, recognizing that everything is His gift to us. This perspective allows us to discover God in everything, even in the smallest details of life.
Determination and Courage: While surrender is about letting go, it also requires determination. It’s a courageous decision to follow Christ, even through periods of spiritual dryness or difficulty. God is a friend of courageous souls and rewards those who are determined to serve Him with total surrender
Surrendering to God is a continuous journey, not a destination. Every new day, hour, and circumstance offers a fresh opportunity to deepen this spiritual freedom and grow in our union with God.
What aspects of surrendering to God resonate most with you? What challenges do you find in this spiritual practice?
How do you succeed in surrendering?
Please share your insights and how you’ve raised the white flag to God in your life.
Come Holy Spirit, guide me, teach me how to surrender to God.