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The Power of Giving Up

Ever felt the fear of being way beyond your own ability? I have! I particularly remember a time when I was writing for a large ministry project—I was about halfway through the project when I suddenly became daunted by the amount that was left to write, and the little I had left to say. With a looming deadline, the pressure began to mount until, for the next few weeks, I started to wake up nervous about whether or not I would be able to accomplish everything in time.

My Surrender

At the height of it all, when I was tired, my mind felt spent, the words just wouldn’t come together—and time was ticking—I lifted my hands from my keyboard and cried out: “Lord, I can’t do this! I have come to the end of myself. I need your words. I need your thoughts. I need your strength!”

Coming to the end of ourselves is precisely where the Lord wants us.

Little did I know, coming to the end of myself is precisely where the Lord wanted me. Coming to the end of myself meant that I was beyond my own thoughts, words, abilities, and strengths. It meant that I was no longer in control, and was solely dependent upon God’s Spirit.

Most of us know that not being in control can be a scary place. But God is faithful! Not even a minute after I cried out to Him, I received an idea for an illustration and was able to complete a portion of the project that I was stressing over. And from that day forward, I was able to continue the project to completion without anxiety! Truly, when I surrendered to the Lord, God’s strength took over and empowered me to do just what I needed to do!

It’s Time to Trust

What about you? Do you feel weak or weary? Are you up against a deadline or a seemingly impossible responsibility? Then you’ve arrived at a great place. You’ve arrived at an opportunity to truly surrender to the Lord and see His power do what you never thought possible!

Breakthrough comes when you stop depending upon what you can do and start trusting in what God can do in spite of you.

Here’s some scriptural encouragement to help you give up control and give it to God!

“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31

What a promise! If you’re burdened right now, lift up your hands in surrender and admit, “God I can’t do this on my own! I need your strength!” Then take a deep breath and trust. God didn’t say that you might find new strength; He promised that you will! Be assured: real breakthrough comes when you stop depending upon what you can do and start trusting in what God can do in spite of you.