Has there ever been a time in your life when it seemed as if there was no solution in sight to your problem? Have you ever uttered the frustrated phrase, “I give up!”

I’m recalling the beginning of an uncharted season in my life. As I sank into the chair at my kitchen table, cradled my head in my hand. Resting on my elbows, I declared defeat, I didn’t really want to quit, but it appeared my options had run out.

I can’t recall how many times in my life I’ve said “I give up,” I know it’s been more than a few. I’m guessing you’ve said it too.

But one thing is certain for every follower of Jesus Christ: Just because we feel defeated doesn’t mean we are left for dead. Actually, it’s quite the opposite!

From the depths of our heart, a little signal pings and fires a rescue flare called hope. As followers of Jesus Christ our hope is never lost.

In my kitchen that day, hope began to rise to the surface. Instead of giving up, I found my lips uttering: Jesus, I surrender.

I’m sure all of you have heard the phrase, “failure is not an option.”  No one wants to raise the white flag in defeat. The world tells us, “YOU can do it all!” In reality WE can’t nor do we need to. But oh, how we try. We overextend our time, overextend our abilities and resources. Yet all of this overreaching just leaves us gripping the end of our rope.

I’ve learned in those moments of frustrated overextensions; I had a choice. You have a choice. We can choose to sit with the lie of the enemy who wants us to believe we’re defeated or we can surrender to the Lord in victory.

 As we surrender to the Lord, our giving up is replaced by His lifting up. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

As we raise our white flag and cry out to Jesus, He rescues us. The white flag isn’t raised out of defeat, but in understanding we can’t do it all and we need the help of Jesus.

When we humble ourselves before the Lord, we begin to see His mighty hand at work. While we rest safely under God’s care, He will lift us up in due time and God’s timing is always perfect.

When God is involved surrendering isn’t the same as giving up. Submitting to God means humbly placing ourselves at His feet. We choose to surrender our desire for control. When we surrender to the care of God’s mighty hand, we release the need to know when, why and how. Absolute faith enables us to rest in His power, peace and provision. Surrender is a choice of dying to self, and when this happens, we begin to walk in the fresh new life of Christ.

If you find yourself at the end of the rope, surrender and cast those anxieties on the Lord. Nestle under His protection because He cares for you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus, You are my hope. Thank you for rescuing me out of my frustration and into Your arms of protection and tender care. I’m choosing to surrender all my worry and anxiety to You. Even in those moments where I feel like giving up in defeat, I can rest in knowing all I need to do is surrender to You. Amen.

PEARLStoPONDER: When you give up in defeat anxiety is not far behind. But when Surrendering power and control to God peace is guaranteed.

Deuteronomy 31:8-- It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Hebrews 4:16--Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Isaiah 41:10--fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 11:28--Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Galatians 6:9--And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Luke 18:1--And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.