Unlocking the Power of Trust and Surrender in our Life

Life is like a river, and our plans are like the boats we build to navigate its currents. Regardless of how strong or well-designed our boat may be, the river has its own course, often steering us around unexpected curves or through uncharted rapids. Sometimes, surrendering the oars and letting ourselves drift with the current can lead us to the most beautiful destinations.

 

Faith encourages us to embark on a transformative journey of release, urging us to loosen our grip on the steering wheel of our lives. We often find comfort in meticulously crafting our future, deriving peace from our careful preparations and relying on what we can see and control. Yet life has a way of catching us off guard, even when we’ve done everything to ensure every detail is in place. These surprises often bring us to crossroads filled with uncertainty, where trust becomes vital. In those challenging moments, God gently calls to our hearts, saying, “Trust me.” This divine invitation empowers us to let go of the false security that certainty brings, revealing that relinquishing control does not lead to chaos but instead opens us up to the possibility of a greater divine order.

 

I’ve never thought of myself as a “controlling freak.” In fact, I often find it hard to connect with those with domineering personalities. Yet, when God persistently nudges me with the question, “Don’t you trust me?” I realize I cling to control in many areas of my life.

 

As I face the prospect of two surgeries this month, waves of anxiety wash over me. I’m consumed with worries about the pain I might endure. Will I have the strength to cope? Will the doctors provide enough pain relief? My mind races to thoughts of my grandkids, who are enjoying their mid-winter break. Will they be able to cherish their time with their grandmother, or will they only encounter a grouchy version of me? And then there’s my dear husband, who is struggling with his own pain and is scheduled for knee replacement surgery in just two months. He will need a supportive wife who is physically, emotionally, and spiritually resilient. Let’s not forget my nearly 98-year-old mother, who continually asks to see me, filling my heart with a mix of love and worry.

 

As I lie awake at night, wrestling with these swirling thoughts, I begin to understand how my desire for control shapes my perspective amid such overwhelming circumstances. The only way to truly place my faith in the Lord is to completely surrender the steering wheel of my life, letting Him guide me through these turbulent waters. I realize that I can’t just say, “Lord, I trust You,” then spiral back into anxiety, reclaiming control for myself. It has to be one way or the other: either Jesus takes complete control, or I do.

 

This struggle brings to mind a powerful scene from the Bible: the disciples caught in a fierce storm, their hearts racing with fear as chaos engulfed them. Jesus, the embodiment of peace and power, was right there with them in the boat—calmly asleep despite the raging tempest. In their panic, the disciples forgot who was in their midst, the God of the impossible, and they awoke Him, pleading for His help, convinced they were about to drown. Instead of rebuking them, Jesus turned to them with compassion and asked, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (See Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25). His question lingers in my heart as a gentle reminder to trust His presence amid life’s storms.

 

The truth is, we are not meant to carry the weight of our lives alone. The Creator, who meticulously designed the stars above and the gentle flow of rivers below, is our steadfast guide, walking alongside us each day. Jesus accompanies us on this spiritual journey, offering unwavering support and never leaving our side. Rather than holding tightly to specific outcomes or furiously planning every detail, we are invited to tune our ears to the Spirit’s gentle whispers. Letting go does not mean relinquishing control; instead, it is an act of resting confidently in the One who knows the path intimately and loves us unconditionally.

 

I wonder if you, too, yearn for peace—the kind of tranquility that transcends understanding, not just occasionally, but consistently in our daily lives. In our act of surrender, we encounter Shalom, a profound assurance that, regardless of our present circumstances, God is in control. Our Pastor Dominick Cotignola from Next City Church often reminds us that we don’t simply take our emotional temperature; we set our spiritual thermostat. This means we can rest assured in the completed work of the cross—that we are redeemed, forgiven, and restored. We are no longer fragments of our former selves because Jesus has made us whole. Wholeness signifies that nothing is broken and nothing is missing. I don’t know about you, but I’ve made the decision to finally rest in that fulfilled promise.

 

My daughter Michelle often reminds me that when we try to take control of our lives, we’re essentially asking Jesus to follow us instead of allowing Him to lead. This isn’t how it should be. Jesus is our shepherd, guiding His flock along the right path. He never promised to follow our lead; instead, He invites us, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, for I am humble and gentle in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29 NLT). From the very beginning of His ministry, whenever He encountered those who would become His disciples, He consistently said, “Follow me.” This call resonates throughout the gospels (see Matthew 4:19). “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

My daughter is absolutely right: we are called to follow Him with our whole hearts and place our trust in Him. Letting go of our desire to control or dictate specific outcomes doesn’t signify weakness; instead, it represents a profound surrender, a recognition that both our present and future are secure in His hands. He is truly the God of the impossible, and no one else knows what is genuinely best for us. “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 NLT).

You might be thinking, “I get all this, but I still feel uncertain.” That feeling is entirely normal, and rest assured, you’re not alone. At some point, we’ve all faced pain and disappointment, often leading us to hide our wounds behind masks. However, as my brother and spiritual pastor have shared, God is aware of those hidden hurts. There’s no need to disguise ourselves from Him; instead, we should invite Jesus to help us uncover the roots of our struggles. We should ask Him to sit gently with us, wiping away our tears, as we begin the healing journey for our wounded souls (Pastor Joaquin Gonzalez, Pure Grace Ministries, Florida).

These insights have truly struck a chord in my heart. I long for the Lord to dig deep beneath the surface and help me identify the root causes of my challenges. I want to embark on the path of healing so that I can genuinely find rest in Jesus and allow Him to steer me through life’s turbulent waters.

 

As we wrap up, I invite you to ponder this: What barriers are standing in the way of your complete trust and surrender to God? Take a moment to reflect on it. Remember, God is reaching out, eager for us to take His hand and guide us through the turbulent waters of our past, present, and future. And let’s not forget the incredible truth that Jesus died for us even when we were lost in our sins. He truly knows us! While the world may judge us by our actions, God looks much deeper—He sees the very essence of who we are and who we were created to be. So, what will it take for you to embrace that and let Him in?

 

Prayer:

Lord, teach us to trust You in a way that allows us to release our fears and firmly hold onto Your guiding hand as You lead us on the journey of transformation into the people You created us to be. In Your name, Amen.

 

Reference

Caporusso, C. (2026). (Long Island). [Photograph]. [Personal Collection]

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, NLT. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.