The act of surrender is a shedding, a revealing of what exists. And what exists, what is, cannot be changed, weakened, or destroyed by anything in this world.
The world around us is full of changing circumstances. We face many trials throughout our lives, just like we experience many joys. That’s the nature of life. It ebbs and flows. Who we are, on the other hand, exists in a timeless state. A state that remains constant regardless of what’s happening around us or whatever we might be experiencing in the moment, because it’s a state free from the past and future. A state of presence. When we surrender to presence, we experience peace.
When you no longer look to the mind to provide you with your sense of identity — because your sense of identity now comes from a deeper place — that’s the shift that changes everything, dramatically.
Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now
Once I understood this, I knew that nothing in this world had the power to destroy me. Not unless I allowed it.
It’s the same with peace because it, too, is a choice. A choice we’re freely given. Once I experienced the source of all peace, I knew nothing could take it from me unless I allowed it.
We make choices every day, but none impact our lives and our beings as significantly as the ones that weaken our spirits and separate us from God. “Choose this day whom you will serve,” Joshua | 24:15.
Serving the Lord requires complete surrender to His will.
To truly serve the Lord, we have to surrender completely to His will. We also have to obey His commandments. This requires us to die to ourselves — or putting ourselves last, behind God, and all others, and foregoing our selfish tendencies.
Dying to ourselves is a moment-by-moment struggle, but one worth striving for. God never said it would be easy, but He did promise to fight with us and for us. Christ assured our victory through Christ’s sacrifice; it’s up to us whether or not we are deserving of that sacrifice.
My first big test came.
In 2018, just months into my recovery journey, Category 5 Hurricane Michael slammed into our home in the Panhandle of Florida. For weeks, we were without power, water, and communication with the outside world. All we had was each other and the grace and benevolence of those who came to help. I was amazed that throughout the ordeal, the presence and peace that had awakened within me the moment I surrendered were not diminished or altered by this very real storm.
It was then that I understood the truth of 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?“
God was with me in the storm.
Though my circumstances in those first weeks after the storm were fluid, changing, and often challenging, my Being was not. It remained steadfast and unalterable because it came from a source much greater than I — the spirit of God that dwells within me. With that understanding came peace, trust, and faith. I will never again go down the path of darkness and destruction. I cannot, because I now know the truth, I’ve lived it, and I never want to lose the freedom that comes with knowing it.
SURVIVING IS SOMETHING
TO BE PROUD OF.
RECOVERY TAKES COURAGE.
BECAUSE ACCEPTANCE REQUIRES STRENGTH.
FORGIVENESS REQUIRES FAITH.
AND SURRENDER IS THE BRAVEST
THING YOU’LL EVER DO.
IT’S ALSO THE MOST IMPORTANT.
SURRENDER FREES THE POWER
THAT LIVES INSIDE YOU.
POWER IN ITS PUREST, TRUEST FORM.
POWER THAT COMES FROM THE CREATOR
OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
POWER THAT HEALS,
THAT SANCTIFIES,
THAT JUSTIFIES,
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
POWER THAT’S BEEN THERE
FROM THE BEGINNING.
WAITING.
JUST WAITING.
FOR YOU TO SEEK IT,
RECEIVE IT,
AND FINALLY ALLOW IT
TO SET YOU FREE.
JN Fenwick (© 2021-2023) | mothjournal14
My Prayer: Dear God, you know the secrets and longings of my heart. You hear my cries. You send strength and comfort in times of need and celebrate with me in times of joy. All blessings come from You, as does all peace and all understanding. Continue to guide me on this journey of faith and healing. Strengthen my resolve and increase my desire to always choose You, to submit to Your will in all things, and to live as Your servant, both willing and humble. For You, God, is the pathway to peace and the author of all Creation. Amen.
JN Fenwick/mothjournal14 (© 2021-2025) | All rights reserved
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