Living a Holystic Life

Here I Stand High in Surrender

BY MELISSA KESSLER

In a still and quiet space with just me and God, I sat asking Him what I was to do, not only for this new year, but for my life in general. I thought I heard wrong, but He clearly spoke to me and said, “SURRENDER.”

Whoa! What, God? Like totally surrender and give up control??? Do you know who you’re talking to? Oh, He sure did, and He knew what my soul needed. It was a scary thing to do, but if He was telling me, I would be sure to listen. So, I didn’t even wait for the new year to start following His command.

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. (2 John 1:6, NLT)

As I stepped forward into surrender and that word kept swirling through my mind, I had no idea how I could follow through. Then one day, the lyrics of “Whole Heart” by Hillsong United made it clear, “Here I stand high in surrender…” and that’s exactly what I did. If you are being called to surrender (and we all are!), I encourage you to sit still, listen to this song, and let God have His way with you. I am sure you will not be disappointed. But first, keep reading to hear why surrendering to our God is essential to attain peace in your life.

Now, about two months into my commitment to surrender, my life feels brand new in every way. My marriage has a spark again. My children aren’t scared to tell or ask me things. And I have started a brand new ministry in my local area to bring more godly peace to women. I no longer fear that I am not doing enough; the extra weight I was carrying from stress has melted away. I completely trust that God will provide all I need: complete healing, timely answers, people sent to me, doors of opportunity opened, serving opportunities in my church and community, and happiness, joy, and laughter in my home. Thank you, Jesus!

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Now that you have a tiny glimpse into how my life has changed, are you ready to see changes in your own life? I promise not to steer you wrong. If you are searching for physical healing, financial provision, happiness, stillness, mental or emotional healing, and most of all, peace, then surrendering to God is the path to choose. Below are the steps I took to follow the process of surrendering.

#1: Before moving forward, commit to giving up control. You don’t need it. Because our God is in control even when you think you are. He is the ultimate decisionmaker in all things. You may be pushing for certain things to happen and ways to change, but He has the final say. So what if you stop pushing, stressing yourself out, and trying to take control when you really don’t have the control anyway? Give it to Him and be ok with it. This is not an easy thing to do - I know that very well as a woman who has wanted control over things for as long as I can remember. But when things get to a point where you are stressed from dawn until dusk, something needs to change. What if you let God?

To help with this step, grab a journal and write about what could change if you stopped stressing about all the big and little things. For example, could your health - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – be positively impacted? If you fear giving up control, write about the positive results of letting God handle both the big and the little things in your life. And then evaluate what could happen if you insist on keeping control, allowing the stresses of life to weigh on your shoulders. Think about the potentially harmful things that often occur when we are burdened by stress. Ask yourself, are the consequences worth the results, especially when there is a much better option?

Once you realize the amazing possibilities of letting God lead the way, it will be much easier to start giving it all to Him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

#2: Be still and bring all of your concerns to the Father. Set aside time daily to sit with Him quietly and listen. He knows your worries, so if you want to repeat them, go for it. If not, just listen and pay full attention to what He tells you to do next. It may be nothing, and that is completely ok. There is no need to hustle to make things happen. There will be times when He will seem silent, but He will guide you in His perfect timing. So just be still…

#3: Go wherever God leads. Check back in with Him regularly, making sure that you follow God’s instructions while filtering out what the world tells you. (Romans 12:2) He will take you to places you never expected, put you on assignments you never imagined, and call you to things you have no idea how to do. And yet He will empower you and instruct you every step of the way.

We can trust that God knows best, is in complete control, and has a plan better than we can imagine! So, how about it? Will you stand high in surrender with me and see how God can change your life?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

Melissa is a wife and mom of two boys who are a huge inspiration in her life. She is a best-selling author and a Holistic Adrenals Coach, who recently opened ‘Still… Christian Wellness & Meditation’ ministry in her local area, helping women experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Phil 4:7) She has a great passion for natural health, speaking truth, and living according to the Word of God. Follow Melissa on all social media platforms @stillwellnessmeditation