What Are We Holding On To?

What am I holding on to that I need to release my grip on? As I mentioned in an earlier post (Holding Back), we are doing a Bible study on a book called Surrender by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. We are also studying Hebrews 11 at our church. I don’t believe that it is a coincidence that we are studying the Faith chapter of the Bible and this Surrender book at the same time. Something else that I find interesting is the fact that several of the devotions that I subscribe to have been on these same topics.

So, I ask myself and you too, what are we holding on to too closely…what do we need to surrender to God?

It can be multiple things. Some examples include: Time, Money, Our Wants, Our Comfort, Our Relationships, even Our food choices,  and the list goes on and on and on.

Why in the world do we resist God’s control over our choices? Why do we think our way of doing things could possibly be better than Gods way? We are not God…He is in control anyways. Sure, we can fight the truth..and we can even try to ignore it.

Surrender is a minute by minute, day by day choice.

I have been guilty of trying to hold on to every single one of the areas that I mentioned above. So what do we do about it and how do we begin to change for the better?

The only way to truly change is to be conscious of every single decision that is made. To seek God first when making decisions about everything. To make sure that He is receiving all of the glory !

This means that we have to be patient and learn to wait too. God’s ways are not our ways..His timing is definitely not ours. Most of us want things NOW! I sure am thankful that God is patient.

2 Peter 3:8,9 ~ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

As I am learning to surrender, guess what I found out? Just like the scripture says, the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. Also, the more I surrender to Him, the easier it becomes.

There is freedom in releasing your grip on the things of this world. There is freedom in truly trusting God.

I have changed my thought process..to where I now ask God in the mornings when I rise, “What do you want me to do for You today to bring You glory God?”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) ~ “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

This sometimes means that I have to surrender some of my time so that I can help someone who needs me. Sometimes it means doing things I don’t really want to do. Sometimes this surrender means that I sacrifice what I want for the sake of someone else.

Sound dreadful ?

Think back to a time that you did something nice for someone “just because”. They were not expecting it..and think of how it made you feel after. Felt pretty good didn’t it? You surrendered something of yours for the sake of someone else.

It is far from dreadful…it is so rewarding to give to God and give for God! He supplies everything we need in order to do so!

Christ Jesus surrendered and He suffered willingly for your sake and mine.

What do we need to surrender for Him? To Him? What are we holding on to?

Romans 8:17 ~ Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

In Nancy DeMoss’ book Surrender, she says it is an issue of Trust or Tyranny. She stated this fact, “If we do not trust God’s promises and, therefore, do not step out in faith and surrender, we will ultimately find ourselves in bondage to the very things we refuse to surrender.”

   Blessings My Friends!