Day 21 – Relinquish control

“𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.” 1 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 5:6-7 𝘕𝘐𝘝

Many of us struggle to 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘎𝘰𝘥. Or at least, I do. We must be honest with ourselves: surrendering fully to God is something we will never perfect. True surrender – in every circumstance – demands complete humility. It requires a heart stripped of pride, a heart that acknowledges there is no one more capable of directing our lives than the One whose ways are higher than ours. To surrender completely means allowing Him to increase while we decrease.

Though we may never master surrender, we can grow in it. By the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (our Helper sent by God) we are taught, reminded, and reshaped into His likeness day by day. The Spirit patiently trains us to release control and trust the Father’s wisdom.

But what does this transformation look like in practice? It begins with honesty: naming the areas where we cling to control and confessing our need to yield them to God. It continues with discipline: carving out time for prayer and rest, even when life presses in with work, family, school, and endless demands. Yes, routines can be hard to maintain, but that is precisely why intentional rhythms of prayer and rest matter. They anchor us, keeping us steady, and nurture a well-disciplined life that makes space for God’s presence.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for teaching us that the Sabbath is a time to relinquish all control over to You. Where I struggle, Lord, please help me and teach me. Thank You, that You are in complete control and that I can trust You in all circumstances. Amen.