Surrendering Vs Striving
In today’s article we are going to be discussing Striving vs Surrendering.
For the called and chosen, leading up to the moment some of us were born again- we were striving to do right in God’s eyes. We were failing miserably because we were not putting our full trust in Christ, but were leaning on our own efforts. When we learnt about Christ’s power and promise, we learnt how to fully surrender.
Striving in our own strength leads to definite failure. I have tried to strive and I failed miserably. But when I realised the need to surrender- God took control. Complete control and the bad habit I had disappeared without me striving to achieve that. It was only through God’s power that this happened.
When you surrender to God’s will, trusting in his power and committing our ways to him, this brings success and ultimate blessings.
Psalm 46 V10 Scripture says: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” NIV – NLT versions says honoured
In James 4 v 15 : “What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” – From verse 13-16 is actually a warning about self-confidence.
(One of my favourites) Proverbs 3 v 5 – 6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Romans 12 v2: Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good, and pleasing, and perfect.
Ecclesiastes 1 v14: I observed everything going on under the sun, and really it is all meaningless- like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4 v 6: And yet,” Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.”
Luke 13 v 24 – “Work hard to enter through the narrow door to God’s kingdom, for many will try to enter it but will fail.
This is JESUS speaking. This is when we must strive. This type of striving is working hard and ENDURING until the end. It is obeying, keeping up our faith, and our relationship with our Lord and saviour.
In Galatians 1 v 10, scripture says: “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If people pleasing were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Colossians 1 v 29 “That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
This type of striving is surrendering because Paul is saying he depends on Christ’s mighty power, not his own works.
Add in: 2 Peter 1v 10- So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you are really among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In the NLT study it interprets that: We strive to live holy lives because God is holy. When we follow God’s instructions, we demonstrate our awareness of his holiness and our love for him. When Jesus died for us, paying for our sin and making us holy, our sinful condition became temporary, tied to our earthly lives. Therefore, we must fix our eyes on our eternal home with God, where there will be no more sin, mourning, crying, or pain. (Matthew 6: 19-20/ Corinthians 4:18, Rev 21:4
Matthew 6v 19- 20 says “Don’t store up treasures here on earth , where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.”
In Corinthians 4 v 18 scripture says: Some of you have become arrogant, thinking that I will not visit you again.
Revelation 21 verse 4 says: “ He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, or sorrow or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all that you have done for me, and all that you are doing. Thank you for working within me, enabling me to fully trust you in all areas of my life. Please Father forgive me for the times, I thought I could do it on my own. Help me to remember to keep my eyes fixed and focused on you at all times.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
Keep Surrendering
God Bless you
Siobhan Patrina
