Discover Your Emotional Well-Being
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1 – 3
How are you doing every day of your life in managing your emotions? Are you quick to anger, quick with a sharp tongue, or quick with sarcasm? You are not alone! We know that we are caught in a battle between the flesh and the Spirit. And we also know that it is a battle we often lose. But do not lose heart—God has made a way for us to win this fight. He has given us a part of Himself—the Holy Spirit—to help us become conquerors!
Surrendering Control to The Holy Spirit
Surrender means to give up control of something for the benefit of another. There is a tremendous relief for someone who surrenders. There is the release of anxiety and fear. The burden of trying to hang on to something (like guilt, shame, a bad relationship, a bad habit) erodes the spiritual and emotional health of a person. To give up control means:
To Admit We Are Powerless
When we surrender to God, we are simply acknowledging that the care of our soul belongs to Him. We are responsible to care for what God has given us, as stewards of His property, but by surrendering to God, we admit that He is ultimately in control of everything.
To Let Go of Will Power
Surrender means to yield ownership, to relinquish control over what we consider ours—our property, our time and our “rights.” Surrendering to God means we are willing to trust God with our hurts, habits and hang-ups and to not lean on our own understanding (destructive thoughts).
To Resist/Refute Evil
The book of James tells us that we “submit” or surrender to God. James not only touches on the point of surrendering to God, but he links it with the life principle of resisting the devil. These two ideas go hand-in-hand. Surrendering to God implies that we are to refute (come against) those evil thoughts and emotions that have their origin in the Father of Lies. Even Jesus was tempted to not surrender His life to God’s plan. But rather than give in to such temptation, He resisted, the devil fled from Him, and He won the victory.
What Are Some Things That God Wants Us to Surrender?
Surrender the need to change others.
Surrender the wish for absolute love and absolute freedom.
Surrender the need to be needed.
Surrender the need to be in control.
Surrender the need to be right.
