The Art of Submission

How to Fully Surrender to God and Trust His Timing

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Submission is one of those topics that can stir up mixed emotions. For some, it brings to mind feelings of trust and safety, while for others, it might raise questions about control or past wounds.

I’ve been in situations that left me questioning God’s direction—as crazy as that sounds. I would ask God, "Why would You allow me to go through this difficult season, or put me in circumstances that feel overwhelming and unfair?"

Being a leader and working with leaders has taught me that we all come to the table with strengths and weaknesses. Securities and insecurities alike, we can be a hot-mess. Even with the best intentions, we can leave a trail of destruction in our wake.

Why does this happen? I believe that it’s because we’re not fully submitted to our Heavenly Father. Submission to Christ is the key to living submitted and experiencing the freedom it brings.

After years of walking with Christ, I’ve learned that it’s because I, like everyone else, am inherently flawed and in need of a Savior. We often try to make sense of our situations through the lens of our limited understanding, forgetting that God sees the whole picture. Our decisions, actions, and responses often only consider the moment, not realizing they have long-lasting—and might I say eternal—consequences.

When it comes to submission, Scripture makes it clear that there is an eternal significance to our relationship with God. Jesus warns us about the dangers of a shallow relationship with Him. He says, "On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" (Matthew 7:22-23, ESV)

God calls us to full submission, not just in actions or appearances, but in our hearts. True submission to God is about trusting Him even when we don’t understand, laying down our control and accepting that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

So, what are we to do when life doesn’t make sense and we feel like God is distant or silent? Every day, it can seem like we face new challenges that test our faith and endurance.

I don’t think we need to view submission as weakness or defeat. Instead, I believe submission to God is an act of faith that strengthens us in the process. Submission isn’t about blind obedience; it’s about recognizing that God’s plan is far greater than ours, and trusting Him to lead us even when the road seems unclear. By submitting to God, we are ultimately walking in step with His perfect will, honoring Him as the sovereign Lord of our lives.

Why Submission is the Heart of Our Faith

At its core, submission means yielding our will to God’s. It’s about laying down our plans, desires, and worries at His feet and trusting that His plans are far better than anything we could ever dream up. This isn’t just a one-time decision, though. It’s a daily practice of surrender, a continual turning over of our hearts, our struggles, and our ambitions to the one who knows us better than we know ourselves.

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This verse is often quoted when talking about discipleship, but it’s also a powerful reminder of submission. Denying ourselves means letting go of control, admitting we don’t have all the answers, and trusting God’s perfect will for our lives.

But how do we do this in practice? How do we go from being in control (or thinking we are) to truly submitting our lives to Christ?

Step 1: Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty

The first step in submission is recognizing God’s authority over all things. He is the creator, the sustainer, and the one who holds everything together (Colossians 1:16-17). When we understand that God is in control, it becomes easier to trust Him with our lives.

It’s a bit like being on a road trip. If you’re constantly checking the map, second-guessing the driver’s route, and suggesting detours, you’re not really trusting the driver, are you? In the same way, when we try to control every aspect of our lives, we’re not fully trusting God. But when we recognize that He is in control, we can sit back and enjoy the journey, knowing that He will get us to our destination safely.

Take a moment to think about an area of your life where you’re holding on too tightly. Is it your job? Your relationships? Your future? Whatever it is, acknowledge that God is in control and that His plans are far better than yours.

Step 2: Surrender Your Worries

Once we acknowledge God’s sovereignty, the next step is to surrender our worries to Him. This is where things get tough. We all have worries, fears, and anxieties that weigh us down. And the truth is, we often hold onto them because, deep down, we think we can fix things on our own.

But Scripture is clear: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). We don’t need to carry the weight of our troubles. God is more than willing to carry them for us—if we let Him.

Surrendering our worries to God doesn’t mean ignoring them or pretending they don’t exist. It means bringing them to God in prayer, acknowledging our need for His help, and trusting that He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

I’ve found that journaling my worries and prayers helps me physically and mentally release them to God. There’s something powerful about writing down my struggles, closing the notebook, and saying, “God, I give this to You.”

Try it the next time you feel overwhelmed.

Step 3: Trust God’s Timing

One of the hardest parts of submission is waiting. Once we’ve handed our troubles to God, we often expect immediate answers. But God’s timing is not our timing. He sees the bigger picture, and sometimes His answers take time—or come in a form we didn’t expect.

Think of the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1. She desperately wanted a child and spent years praying and weeping before the Lord. Her heartache was real, and she didn’t shy away from bringing her grief to God. But she didn’t just stop at praying; she submitted her trial to God, trusting that He would provide in His perfect time.

Eventually, God answered her prayers, and she gave birth to Samuel, who would go on to become one of Israel’s greatest prophets. But in that waiting period, Hannah continued to trust God’s goodness, even when she couldn’t see the answer yet.

Waiting on God can be frustrating. It’s easy to feel like nothing is happening or to think we need to take matters into our own hands. But when we submit our trials to God, we are also trusting His perfect timing. Psalm 27:14 reminds us, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Step 4: Obey Even When It’s Hard

Submission to God isn’t just about trusting Him with our troubles; it’s also about obeying Him, even when it’s difficult. Jesus is our ultimate example of this. In the Garden of Gethsemane, just before His crucifixion, He prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Jesus was fully submitted to the Father’s will, even though it meant unimaginable pain and suffering. He could have chosen to walk away, but instead, He chose obedience, trusting that God’s plan would lead to something greater.

In our own lives, obedience can sometimes feel like a sacrifice. Maybe God is calling you to let go of a relationship, step out in faith in a new job, or forgive someone who hurt you deeply. Whatever it is, obeying God often means stepping outside of our comfort zone. But when we submit to His will, we can trust that He will be with us every step of the way.

Step 5: Wait for God’s Answer

Once we’ve surrendered our worries, trusted God’s timing, and obeyed His leading, the final step is waiting for God’s answer. And here’s the hard truth: sometimes, the answer isn’t what we expected.

Remember Paul? He prayed three times for God to remove the “thorn in his flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9), but God’s answer wasn’t to take away the thorn. Instead, God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul submitted his trial to God, and while he didn’t receive the answer he wanted, he received something better—God’s sustaining grace.

When we submit our troubles to God, we need to be open to His answers, even if they look different from what we envisioned. Sometimes, He will deliver us from the trial. Other times, He will walk with us through it, giving us the strength to endure. Either way, we can trust that His answer is always for our good and His glory.

Jehoshaphat’s Victory

One of the most powerful examples of submission in the Bible is found in 2 Chronicles 20, where King Jehoshaphat faced a massive army coming against him and the people of Judah. Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Jehoshaphat did what we’re often tempted to skip—he sought God first.

Jehoshaphat prayed, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Instead of rushing into battle with his own plan, he submitted the situation to God and waited for His direction.

God’s answer was surprising: “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you” (2 Chronicles 20:17). And sure enough, as they praised and worshiped God, He caused the enemy armies to turn on each other. Jehoshaphat didn’t have to lift a sword—he simply trusted and obeyed.

Submitting Brings Freedom

Submission to Christ isn’t about losing control; it’s about gaining freedom. When we submit our lives, our worries, and our trials to God, we are freed from the burden of trying to figure it all out on our own. We can rest in His promises, knowing that He is working on our behalf, even when we can’t see it.

If you’re struggling to submit an area of your life to God, take it one step at a time. Start by acknowledging His sovereignty, surrender your worries to Him in prayer, trust His timing, obey His leading, and wait for His answer.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you experienced the freedom that comes with submitting to Christ? Drop a comment below, and let’s encourage each other on this journey.

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