"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." – Matthew 11:28
Step 3 of the 12 Steps
"Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."
Step 3 is a turning point. It moves us from trying to control our lives to trusting that God can do for us what we could never do for ourselves. Surrendering isn’t about giving up—it’s about letting go of fear and stepping into God’s care.
The Art of Letting Go (Without Giving Up)
Surrender Is Not Defeat
Many people hear the word surrender and think of failure, weakness, or passivity. But in God’s kingdom, surrender is an act of strength and trust.
When we surrender, we are not giving up—we are giving in to God’s greater plan.
Surrender is choosing to believe that God’s hands are stronger, wiser, and gentler than ours.
It means saying: "I don’t have to figure it all out. I don’t have to carry this alone. God is in control."
Illustration: The Trapeze Artist
A trapeze artist must let go of the bar before they can be caught by their partner. The moment of release is terrifying, but the act of trusting brings freedom and grace.
What is one area of your life where you feel afraid to let go?
What might happen if you fully trusted God to catch you?
What the Bible Says About Surrender
Key Scripture: Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God."
In Hebrew, “be still” means to let go or release your grip.
Surrendering to God doesn’t lead to chaos; it leads to peace and trust.
Why Do We Hold On So Tight?
We resist surrender because we fear losing control. But the truth is:
Control is an illusion. Trying to control everything leads to stress, anxiety, and exhaustion.
True peace comes only when we turn things over to God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Surrendering Our Speech to God
Proverbs 18:21 – "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Surrendering our lives also means surrendering our tongue:
Words shape our reality. If we constantly speak defeat—"I’ll never change. I always fail."—we align ourselves with failure instead of faith.
Speaking life brings transformation. When we declare God’s promises over ourselves, we align with His truth, not our fears.
Prayers led by the Holy Spirit bring power. When we surrender our tongue to God in prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to speak for us.
Practical Application
Old Way (Defeat)New Way (God’s Truth)"I’m not good enough.""I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)"Nothing ever works out for me.""God is working all things together for my good." (Romans 8:28)"I can’t change.""I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
How to Practice Surrender Daily
1. Prayer of Surrender
Start each day with a simple prayer:
"God, today I give You my life and my will. Guide my steps. I trust You."
2. Use an Accountability Tool
Journal your struggles and prayers of surrender.
Check in with an accountability partner about where you are still trying to control things.
3. Rest in God’s Presence
Schedule daily moments of stillness.
Stop striving—literally sit in silence with God and listen.
Application Exercise: The Hands of Surrender
Reflection:
Write down something you’ve been struggling to control.
Ask: Why is it hard for me to let this go?
Flip the Script:
On the back of your paper, write a promise from Scripture that speaks life into this area.
Symbolic Surrender:
Drop your paper in a basket at the front of the room.
Physically open your hands as a symbol of surrender.
Closing Prayer:
Ask God to help you trust Him.
Pray for peace in surrender and faith to let go.
Closing Thought: A God Who Catches You
When we surrender, we find that God’s arms are already open, waiting to catch us.
This week, meditate on Matthew 11:28:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Challenge:
Each morning, pray a prayer of surrender.
Each day, speak a promise of life instead of words of defeat.
Each evening, thank God for catching you in the places where you let go.
Final Prayer
"Heavenly Father, I surrender my will, my life, and my words to You. Take control. Help me to trust You more, to speak life over myself and others, and to find rest in Your care. In Jesus' name, Amen."
THRIVE GROUP – WEEKLY REFLECTION
QuestionResponseWhat is one thing you need to surrender to God?Where have you seen God’s care in your life this week?What words do you need to change to align with God’s truth?How can you encourage someone else to surrender?