Trust His Plan: Surrender Control

Scripture:“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” – Luke 9:23 (NKJV)

Truth to Hold On To

One of the hardest parts of trust is surrendering control. We like to hold the steering wheel of our lives, our families, and even our futures. But Jesus calls us to a different way: “Not My will, but Yours, be done.” – Luke 22:42 (NKJV).

Surrender doesn’t mean weakness; it means strength under God’s authority. It means acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV).

When we try to control everything, we only end up exhausted, anxious, and frustrated. But when we place it in God’s hands, we find freedom. Jesus reminds us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV).

Where This Gets Real

I homeschooled both of my children, and it became a way of life for our family. But then my youngest came to me and said she wanted to go to school.

Every part of me wanted to say no. My mind filled with worries—Would she be safe? Would she stay strong in her faith? Would she face pressures I couldn’t protect her from? I wanted to hold on tighter.

But the Lord gently reminded me: she wasn’t mine to control; she was His to guide. My role wasn’t to cling but to trust Him with her future. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV).

The first day I dropped her off, my heart ached, but I whispered a prayer: “Lord, she’s in Your hands. Go with her where I cannot go. Be her shield, her guide, and her peace.” And He has been faithful.

Prayer

“Father, I release the need to control the people and circumstances in my life. Teach me to trust You fully, even when I cannot see the outcome. Help me surrender my will and rest in the assurance that You love my children, my family, and my future even more than I do.” In Jesus name, amen.

Reflection Question

What area of my life am I trying to control right now that I need to surrender to God?

Challenge

Each morning this week, open your hands in prayer and say out loud: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42 NKJV). Surrender one specific worry to God daily and watch how His peace meets you there.