Today the word surrender is very much on my mind. We tend to think of surrender as a negative word. There is a notion that we have to be in control and so the idea of surrender becomes a notion to avoid.
The past few weeks have been a real learning experience for me. I am a self described workaholic, who constantly seeks to find balance in my life. After I married in June, that became even more important to me as I once again explored what it is I truly value and how to be sure I am living by my values. Sometimes when life gets stressful, it’s easy to slip from that stance. I think it is during those time that we become at war with ourselves.
I find myself these of how to release the need to control things. I can’t say it doesn’t create some fear, but having read Max Lucado’s new book called “Fearless” I also know that’s not how we are meant to live.
Yesterday my thoughts were simply this: Give it to it, it is what it is. What a wonderful freeing thought. This morning I woke up reminded of a song I have always loved called “When Peace Like a River”. It is a song I have long said I want sung at my funeral. Today it was just on my mind and I thought I’d share the lyrics:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
And so you see, it doesn’t matter. Today it IS well with my soul and that feeling of surrender is bliss.
What trying times have you had in your life that led you to a realization that surrender is where you need to be?
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