Editor's note: From the beginning of time, we've struggled for control. God is calling you and me to let go of self-sufficiency and find freedom and wholeness in relying upon Him instead. Enjoy this excerpt and don't miss the Free Discussion Guide below! * |
In Matthew 11:29–30 Jesus spoke these tender and comforting words: 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. In the New Testament the Pharisees were a bunch of "Legalistic Larrys." Everything they did came from a place of merely checking off a list because they were "supposed to" and because it made them "look good" — not because they truly loved God or desired to follow Him. In Matthew 11 Jesus was calling those who felt burdened by the overwhelming weight of these legalistic requirements. Jesus was calling those who were tired of carrying their own burdens and trying to meet every expectation through their own strength. Our gentle and lowly Savior has a solution for those who are weary and burdened. A yoke was a tool used to join two animals together so they could work in unison and share the load of pulling a plow or a cart. Humanity's tendency to live out of obligation and strive for their own worth was only crushing them. But - Jesus' yoke of discipleship — this idea of denying ourselves, taking up our crosses, and following Him — brings rest and freedom.
Let Jesus' promise be your guarantee: We do not have to be afraid to be disciples of Christ. We do not have to be overwhelmed by what Jesus calls us to. We do not have to worry about what we will lose when we surrender our lives, release personal control, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus instead. We have a Savior who has extended His hand down from Heaven and offered us salvation. In Christ we have victory. We have the win. We have the ultimate gain, not loss. - We do not have to strive and control and plan and manipulate to reach victory, because Jesus has already won it on our behalf.
Sure, we have the option to go about living our lives trying to white-knuckle our way to success and achievement. But as Luke 9:25 asks, what's the point of gaining the whole world only to lose ourselves in the process? Whatever we might win for ourselves is infinitely less valuable than the eternal purpose and destiny available in God. What we see now and what the world offers — fame, money, success, external achievements — is far less satisfying than what God has for us. |
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God does not want you to run yourself ragged. |
God does not want you to run yourself ragged. |
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God does not want you to run yourself ragged. He does not want to see you suffer through clenched fists, broken dreams, and disappointment. If you remember anything, remember this: Jesus may have said a lot of upside-down things in His lifetime. He may have ruffled a lot of feathers and said things that sent people into shock. But He did it to make beautiful, committed, and holy disciples out of you and me. He did it to change the game and offer something far better than the world could offer. His teachings only seem upside down because our world is upside down. Ever since the fall, we've been fighting with ourselves, with each other, and with the world around us, trying to grab control and impose our will on our circumstances. Jesus' invitation to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Him is actually an invitation to lay down the burden of sinfully trying to control our own lives, and instead, pick up His gift of true grace, freedom, and rest. When Jesus has your heart, your desires, and your affections, you're returning to the kind of connection with God that you were created for. There is a greater purpose and plan for our lives when we wave our white flags and say, "Lord, I surrender. I am tired of striving. I am tired of holding on to control. I want a life that is full of freedom and purpose. I want to be Your disciple." And rest assured, my friend: God isn't asking us to release our control so He can "bait and switch" us. He is not out to trick us. We don't have to worry about being left empty-handed. On the contrary. - When our heavenly Father asks us to give up something, He always has something exceedingly better in store.
Space to Surrender - Do you have trouble surrendering all? Or are some things easier to relinquish than others? Why do you think that is?
- Reflect on how the three steps to discipleship — deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Jesus — make you feel. What emotions does this stir: fear, anxiety, courage, hope?
- How does seeing God's Kingdom through the "upside-down" lens change your perspective on your story and help you trust Him more?
Heavenly Father, thank You for taking on my burdens and releasing me from striving for my worth. I pray that You would help me to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You every single day. Help me to walk in the freedom and rest that only You offer through surrender. |
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We can't possibly do what it on our own. Life is exhausting! We want to be in control. We think planning, scheming, and manipulating will get us somewhere good but it never does. And yet, denial of ourselves and giving the wheel over to Jesus is not our strong suit… until we remember that He is good. He offers rest and freedom that can be found only in Him! What are you releasing to Him today? Come share with us. ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Surrender Your Story: Ditch the Myth of Control and Discover Freedom in Trusting God |
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+ FREE shipping on all orders $35 and more |
Popular podcaster and self-proclaimed control freak Tara Sun shows how "having everything under control" is overrated--not to mention downright dangerous--and reveals the surprising, lifegiving alternative: only radical surrender to God brings the peace and fulfillment we yearn for. Tara knows what it's like to be obsessed with control--all under the guise of the supposed virtues of being self-sufficient, organized, and high achieving. When a battle with severe chronic illness demolished her illusions of control, Tara embarked on a journey of discovering the antidote to the burdensome and ultimately empty myth of control: surrender to the God who cares for us and has an infinitely better blueprint for a life filled with joy, peace, and meaning. Readers will - identify how the false promises of control and self-sufficiency have warped their view of themselves, their hopes, and their purpose
- learn to trust God--in the big events and the small details of their lives
- discover practical steps and strategies for letting go of control and moving forward in faith, even in the face of setbacks and disappointments
- be inspired by examples from Tara's life and from the Bible of the strength and purpose that comes through a lifestyle of surrender
For all those who are exhausted from trying to control their lives and disappointed by their unreached plans, Surrender Your Story is a welcome lifeline that opens readers' eyes to the beauty of a life surrendered to the Master Planner. |
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As a FREE gift, download the Surrender Your Story Discussion Guide |
As a FREE gift, download the Surrender Your Story Discussion Guide |
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What our readers are saying |
"Very good book! Relevant for me and I like how Tara writes, I can relate to her. She really reinforces what I know is true." — Deborah B. |
"I am loving this book, and see so much of myself in the written words. I have already recommended this to others who like me struggle to know if it is really God speaking to me or am I projecting what I want. This is a book I will return to again and again!" — Debra W. |
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Today's culture is peddling a seductive promise, a message that bombards social media feeds and dominates bestseller lists: you can control your circumstances and achieve any goal through positive thinking, organization, and sheer force of will. But anyone who's tried to white-knuckle their way to self-fulfillment has discovered what lies on the other side of this supposedly empowering message: frustration, disappointment, and exhaustion. |
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God's grace is shown throughout the Bible, and growing our faith brings joy to the Heavenly Father. Listen with the free Bible Audio app, and stay connected to God's grace and wisdom wherever you are. With features that help you build Bible reading habits, you'll be more engaged with God's Word than ever. √ Set verses or chapters to repeat. √ Speed up or slow down how quickly the Scripture is read. √ Set a timer and build time for the Bible into your daily schedule. √ Absorb the Word of God. The Bible Audio app is a great way to keep God present in your life and Bible reading in your daily routine. Download for free today. |
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