Jacqueline slammed the phone on the counter. “She did it to me again. Why can’t she just be happy for me?”

Derek pulled the milk from the fridge and poured a glass. “What are you talking about?” He grabbed the Oero cookie box from the cupboard.

“What do you think? Angela had to call and criticize me for my comments in a meeting today. Said I was brown-nosing for a promotion. Just because my leader praised me for my idea.”

Derek dunked the cookie in his milk and stuffed it into his mouth.

Jacqueline tapped her toe. “Are you trying to ignore me?”

He threw his hands in the air. “I’m hungry. She’s jealous because she wants that job.”

“I just wish she would encourage me for once.”

“Let it go, Jacqueline. Surrender it to the Lord.”

She hung her head. Yes, he was right. Why did she always let people do this to her?

Jacqueline knew it was time to put up the white flag and surrender it to the only One who could give her peace.

Are you like Jacqueline? Do things bother you that you need to give over to the Lord? Or is there some area in your life you’re stressing about? Something that’s on your mind constantly?

I think we probably all have to say yes to at least one of the above. I do.

Recently, something happened that tapped into my insecurities. I felt defeated, discouraged, and dumb. The devil always knows how to get you, doesn’t he?!! Wish he’d mind his own business.

Then I remember something Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham’s daughter) said at the Writing for the Soul Conference. “Stop comparing yourself with each other, but look up!” It was in a different context, but still hit me. She’s right. Father, forgive me! You made me in Your image. I surrender this to you.

Anne went on to ask a soul-searching question. “Why are we afraid to surrender everything to God?”

It’s simple. We’re scared to let go and trust Him. We need control. We don’t have to fear!

Anne finished with the following. “How will you know until you surrender everything to Jesus? Then, let Him give back to you what He wants.”

Amazing. We need to do it.

What would happen if we totally surrendered? Threw in the proverbial white flag?

Like Anne said. Jesus will give us what He wants. The best for us!

Surrender totally—today!

All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now 

All to Jesus I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine. 

All to Jesus I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me. 

All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name! 

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

(public domain)

Darlene with Anne Graham Lotz