The Struggle vs Surrender

Do you find yourself struggling each day?  Worrying far too much?  Can’t make a decision as simple as a chore?  Or, is your mind at peace while you float about your day easily surrendering yourself to faith while making decisions and completing tasks?  Oftentimes, there is a battle between the struggle vs surrender way of life.  Is this you?

One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful – Sigmund Freud

I think it is safe to say that we all worry at times, as well as struggle with decisions.  Oftentimes, these ‘worry’ times or ‘struggle’ times coincide with stress or being overwhelmed.  I know for myself that if my head is full, my to-do list just keeps growing. Or, if something is happening in our homelife that creates an imbalance – that I can worry.  With that worry, it then leads into the inability to make a decision or complete a simple task.  

I recently read a devotional called Mindsets that Hurt vs Heal.  What an eye opener this devotional was.  So insightful and so helpful.  I would highly recommend adding this to your morning reading routine.  

The author explains, that if we allow it – worry can contaminate our mind.  Oftentimes, our world preaches that performance determines your value:

• School grades you
• Sports ranks you
• Businesses evaluate you
• Social Media likes you

Performance creates worry because success = value and failure = a decrease in value.

This is actually a harmful way to class your worth.  Don’t misunderstand me – there is nothing wrong with performing well.  You should always try and do your best – especially in school and your employment and there is definitely a place in evaluating to determine your growth in learning and capabilities. But! Linking the two together is incorrect.  Performance/Success/Status does not measure your value in this world. 

Your value is based on who you are.  Your faith with God.  

Your value does not change if you fail a test or get a poor work performance review.  

In everyday terms, trying to keep up, get the next thing done, comparing yourself to your best friend who always gets straight A’s or your co-worker who just got promoted – this can all cause worry if you are simply trying to measure up to the next person.  Worry shifts our minds into the past of regret or the future of fear (to read more about the past and future, click HERE).  Both are powerless.  Many choose to struggle in their own strength rather than to surrender to an unseen God.  

How Can I Conquer This Struggle and Surrender?

One simple task! Just pray.  Praying shifts our mind to the present. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. Allowing us to talk about what is happening and ask for guidance or help.  Incorporating this into your daily routine can create peace in your day.  Beginning your day with a simple prayer before you get out of bed can set the tone for the rest of your morning.  Whenever you feel a struggle creeping in – stop and pray it away.  Before you fall asleep, a simple goodnight prayer will create such a sense of peace allowing you to have that restful sleep you deserve and need.  

Allowing God in – can heal. 

Surrending to God – can heal.

So, as you go about your day today, ask yourself this. Would you rather struggle daily thinking you can control what happens to you all while you try to measure up to others? Or, would you rather surrender yourself to the peace that God brings, knowing you have worth – knowing you have value? I hope you choose the latter.

If no one has told you lately: