Strength in Submission
What does it mean to submit to God? Most of us don’t like hearing that word because it implies giving up our control of life.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7 (Image Unsplash)
On November 12, 2024, before ending her conversation with Pastor Rasool Berry on the Where Ya From Podcast, Dr. Nicole Martin, chief impact officer at Christianity Today, shared a revelation she received about submitting to God.
She learned that submitting to God is a source of strength, not a sign of weakness. She said, “To get ahead, you must be willing to follow.” We must be willing to wait for God’s leadership before we can conquer any battles ahead of us. The problem comes in with our definition of the battle. Is this our battle to fight, or are we getting in God’s way?
When King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow to him, these faithful men could have asked for ten thousand angels to rescue them or for Nebuchadnezzar to be killed.
However, the true test of their faith was demonstrated by submitting themselves to God even though they did not know what would happen to them.
The three Hebrew boys (as they are known) knew that obedience to God beyond their ability to understand the reason for doing something as deadly as walking into the firey furnace and facing certain death meant more to Christ than trying to save themselves. It was their sacrifice to God that saved them.
Proverbs 14:12 says - There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Control has become our answer to life’s problems; we would do anything to keep it even though most of us don’t know how to handle our problems.
Turning to sex, violence, drugs, and alcohol only succeeds in masking the pain that comes with those problems. Nevertheless, some see these as the only sensible option to dealing with their issues because the opposite - submission to God - is viewed as a sign of weakness.
2nd Corinthians 12:9 explains that when we submit ourselves, it allows God's strength to shine. So, what does it mean to submit? It means not knowing all the answers, being content with not being in control, and not being able to explain or reason what is happening. It also means not having any opinions about the situation or letting our opinions change the effect of God’s word in our minds and hearts.
It means just believing that God is exactly who he says he is and can change your situation is enough to move mountains.
If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands towards him. - Job 11:13 (Image: Unsplash)
God wants to fulfill our hearts' desires. However, when we give in to Satan's temptations, those desires can go against God’s plan. We might think we know what we want and become willing to do anything to get it. We may start liking things that are not good for us, which can change how we view life.
Only by continuously choosing Christ will you see a difference in your desires, making submission easier.
Our view of life changes as we abandon our worldly beliefs, learn more about God, and adopt his way of life. But you must understand that it does not happen overnight. You must consciously choose to follow Christ and make his way of doing things more important than your own.
Returning to Dr. Martin’s example of submission, when we release our control of the situation, God will remove our pain, clear our minds of confusion, and relieve our stress. But there is a catch: for the healing to start, we must submit to God’s will, plan, and power.
Today, I challenge you to let go of your control and LET GOD have his way in your life. Submit to God, and let him change your situation.
