Struggling to Let Go? What God Taught Me About Surrender

Sometimes God uses radical and even supernatural moments to draw our attention back to Him so we can once again walk in freedom from sin.

If you are struggling to “let go and let God,” keep reading. I hope my story encourages you.

God always provides a way out of the slavery of sin.

God Guides Our Prayers

For the first four years of our marriage, my husband and I lived in the city where we met. We loved where we lived, but my husband had begun to feel complacent in his work.

Through a series of events, a childhood friend told him about a job opportunity near his hometown. We were not actively looking for a change. Even though I loved my job in college ministry and the life we had built—and I knew this opportunity would require us to move—I found myself praying for my husband to get the job.

Looking back, I believe the Holy Spirit was guiding my prayers.

When Selfishness Steals Our Joy

The irony is that when God answered that prayer and my husband was offered the job, I became anxious about what the change would mean for me.

I loved my ministry job and my community. I had no idea what career path I would pursue in a small town.

When we moved, we were blessed with a sweet little home and welcomed into a loving church. As people kindly tried to get to know me, they would ask questions like, “What are you planning on doing?”

Their kindness often led me to tears in private because I felt embarrassed by my honest answer:

“I’m not sure yet.”

Much of my identity had been wrapped up in having a ministry related occupation.

For about three months, I was unemployed. And for about three months (and honestly, even longer), I weeped often at home.

Eventually, I accepted a position as a caseworker at a school about 45 minutes away. But even after finding a job, the tears didn’t stop.

My Breaking Point

About a month into my new job—and four months after our move—I was still deeply upset.

During one of my long drives to work, I began listing my frustrations to God. I was tired of learning a new job. I was tired of building new relationships with friends and church members. I was even tired of our sweet new home.

As I listed my complaints, something dawned on me: every single thing I was complaining about was actually a blessing from God.

In essence, I was telling God:

“I want my old blessings back. The ones I’m comfortable with. I don’t want these new ones.”

Freedom Through Surrender

During that drive, God spoke to me through a vivid picture.

I suddenly saw heavy shackles locked around my wrists like those worn by a prisoner. I could feel the weight of them holding me down.

Then I realized something startling.

I had put the chains there myself.

The chains were made of my frustration, my grief, and ultimately my attitude toward God:

“I don’t want what you have for me.”
“I know better than you.”

In that moment, the Spirit prompted me to surrender.

I knew I needed to say the words out loud.

Through tears I said, “I give this to you, God.”

As the words left my mouth, I felt immediate freedom. In my mind I saw the chains lift from my wrists and rise toward heaven.

In that moment, I experienced both physically and spiritually what it meant to be released from bondage.

God’s Redemption in My Struggle

I wish I could say everything was instantly joyful and easy from that moment on.

It wasn’t.

I still struggled with complaining and adjusting. But something had changed. There was a new freedom in my heart.

God was redeeming my selfishness.

When I look back on that season now, I grieve the time I wasted in self-pity instead of living in the freedom God had given me.

Yet even in that regret, I see His grace.

Thank you, Jesus, for forgiving me and teaching me through that season.
You are forever good to me.
You are my Redeemer.

You Can Surrender Too

If you feel weighed down by the burden of sin or circumstances you can’t control, remember this:

God always provides a way out.

Trust Him.

He can carry the pain, suffering, and uncertainty you are trying to hold on to yourself.

You were created for freedom.

Now walk in it.

Reflect and Connect

1. Have you ever realized that something you were complaining about was actually a blessing from God? What helped you see it differently?

2. How has God helped you surrender in the past?

3. Is there something you need to release to Him today so you can experience the freedom found in Christ?