Surrender Is A Difficult Subject

Surrender is a difficult subject. We want to do what we want without being told by anyone else what we can and cannot do. We want control. We want to be able to direct our lives, where we live, what we do, who we come in contact with, and when we make changes.

There is a very closely related topic, however, that is probably often overlooked, and that is contentment. Most of us probably do not equate surrender with contentment, yet many of us probably are content in many ways. What would be unfortunate is if we continue to beat ourselves up over our struggle with surrender when at the same time we are content in different areas of our lives.

Let’s introduce some Scripture lessons and read them through the lens of contentment and then perhaps you will have a better idea of how this works. Noah is a good first example (Genesis 6). He had a strong faith and trust in the Lord; he was obedient; he surrendered his will to the Lord; and he was content. Noah was content to do the Lord’s will, content to obey, and was not restless in the face of the jeers and mockings of the crowd around him. We can wrap up the entire story of Noah with one word, that being contented. He was content to spend 40 days being blown around the surface of the water high above his homeland and then to land on a mountaintop who knows how far from his familiar surroundings. He was content because he trusted that the Lord had his best in mind.

Paul is perhaps the most striking example in the Bible, and his story can be read in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. The translations or versions of the Bible interpret verse 10 differently. Paul’s expression is interpreted as “content” or “delight” or “take pleasure in.” He is content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. This is quite confounding, until we understand his reasoning. The Lord promised Paul that His grace was sufficient and that His power (strength) would be made perfect through Paul’s weakness. Thus, Paul is saying that he is content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities because it is precisely in those moments, when he has absolutely no control over his external environment and circumstances, that the Lord’s grace and power are made perfect in Paul. He says in verse 9 that he would rather glory in his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon him. This may very well be the secret to Paul’s very dynamic and widespread ministry. He was so contented to rest in the Lord that the Lord’s power was able to work through him in mighty ways.

Few of us probably ever considered that our lack of contentment is a hindrance to the Lord’s power.

One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 13:5. As I was doing this Bible study on contentment, I was reminded that this verse also speaks about being contended. “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” I have always focused on the “never leave you nor forsake you” part of the verse as a sure promise of Christ. It is true north on my compass when life around me is uncertain. It is the promise I hold onto and come back to.

The writer of Hebrews is saying here that, even though we may have little or may lose what we have, we must be content with the few things we do have and remember constantly that Christ will never leave us nor forsake us. Though we may lose our possessions, family, friends, job, home, etc., we will not lose Christ so long as we keep Him at the center of our faith and trust.

Philippians 4:11 also instructs us on contentment. “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”

Now for some lessons on the meaning of contentment. In the New American Standard Bible (NASB), the word “content” appears in five New Testament verses. (In the King James, “content” appears much more frequently, including in the Old Testament, but for purposes of this study, I have chosen the NASB to better illustrate the point of the article.) Within these verses, there are three different variations on contentment.

Luke 3:14 – to be satisfied, contented with a thing (also in 1 Timothy 6:8 and Hebrews 13:5)
2 Corinthians 12:10 – to be well pleased, take pleasure in a person or thing
Philippians 4:11 – sufficient for one’s self, strong enough or possessing enough to need to no aid or support, independent of external circumstances, contended with one’s lot/with one’s means

The science of contentment requires great focus on the Lord to be satisfied despite our circumstances. In actuality, probably many more of us are content than we would realize but never gave ourselves credit for it. Instead, we cry out to the Holy Spirit to help us surrender our will, when we have already reached a point of great surrender without even realizing it.

Of course, I must insert a caveat here. There are great numbers of people who are envious of what other people have, who covet the latest and greatest, who are workaholics, who desire nothing but money and status, and so on. These are not contented people. Contentment is satisfaction and acceptance. Now, this does not mean we should not aspire to be more than we are right now. This would not necessarily be a good steward of the knowledge, skills and abilities the Lord gave us. We should absolutely develop ourselves. What it does mean is that we are not to be distracted with the things of this world to the point that we can no longer clearly see the Lord and that our faith and trust are no longer entirely placed in the Lord.

I am content not to have a fancy home, drive a flashy new car, and have a lot of expensive toys. However, I am always aspiring to be and do more than I am today. Writing this article and doing the Bible study on contentment is an example of this. By not focusing on the worldly attractions, I have the time and desire to expand my heart and mind and to then share it with you in this article.

To take stock of where you are right now, I would suggest that you prayerfully consider whether you have joy in your current circumstances, whatever they may be. A storm ravaged house, cancer, sick child, divorce, unexpected death of a loved one, job loss, difficult employment, troubled relationship, mounting bills, etc. Then take some time to let the Scriptures discussed in this article sink into your heart and mind, especially 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Then open your heart and mind to how the Lord may be working through you in your circumstances right now. Perhaps the Lord has something special planned for you just now that He can only do if you are content with what you have or to endure the circumstances you are facing right now.

Here is a special tip from me. I prayed for joy in the midst of a difficult circumstance over which I knew I had no control. This led me to the idea of contentment and to then conduct the Bible study on contentment. It helped me so much that I wanted to share it with you in this article. I hope it helps you as much as it did me.