Surrender

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8 NKJV).

We often say we have surrendered to God, but have we truly? Are there areas within our lives we are unable or perhaps unwilling to let go of? Maybe we are unaware of this inability to fully surrender. I was thinking about this the other day. What if some things we struggle with in our lives, or areas of incomplete healing are the result of our not surrendering it fully to Papa? I am talking on deeper levels than perhaps we are aware of. What if surrender in these areas means we have to let go of the things we draw attention from or sympathy for? What if we have built our lives and ways of doing things around these areas? Please do not misunderstand me – what I am not saying is healing or receiving the answers we’re longing for is contingent upon this.

Allow me to paint a picture, if you will. You’ve been praying for healing in a specific area for years, you have cried out to Papa, you have enlisted the help of others to pray with and for you, you have worshiped and yet you have not received healing. You’ve done all you know to do and you give it to God. Is there a part of you that still lives with the unhealed area? Do you plan your day around it subconsciously? Do you make allowance for it? Do you claim it when you speak to others? This is what I mean when I say it is not fully surrendered.

Surrender releases faith. It says, “Papa, I release this area to You. I know You have nothing but good for me and all will be well.” Genetics and bloodlines, along with family history can sometimes dictate, on subconscious levels, our responses to situations without us even being completely aware. Only the Holy Spirit is able to bypass this and reach the areas in need. Sometimes it is not enough to just believe God for answers, sometimes it takes active participation in surrendering it, often with the help of the Holy Spirit.

For those areas in which we are still waiting for answers or healing, let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us surrender them, and then release them in faith. Often, I have to picture myself holding things in my hands and then opening my hands in release; you may need to do the same. Then, we must be still and allow the Holy Spirit to work. There is no better time than the present to begin. 2016 has just begun, let this be the year of full surrender and divine attention.

Papa, thank You for these reminders of how much You love us and how You have the best in mind for us. We know we cannot always do what needs to be done without Your help, and so we thank You, Holy Spirit, for revealing to us the areas where we have not fully surrendered. We ask You to do what You have to do for it was already paid for at the cross and we are free. Only You truly know what is within us, unbury that which we have buried and heal the broken places it has caused. You are a good, good Father, and Your love and faithfulness endure forever. May we be still and allow You to work, resting in Your lap. We thank You for this time to go deeper and learn more fully what surrender to You actually looks like. We love you, Papa. Amen.