Surrendering to God: A Florida Girl’s Reflection of a Weekend in the Mountains
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalm 34:4
Being a sea-level girl, mountain-top experiences are especially impactful for me. I just spent a week with an amazing group of women in Idaho where mountain terrain displays the beauty of God in a diverse, earthy way. Green, rolling hills stand opposite to pointed desert peaks, reflecting off the massive, turquoise water of Bear Lake. I’d still take a palm tree over a pine tree any day of the week, but I have to admit, the beauty of this place steals your breath away.
It’s here in this environment where my soul is able to hear God differently, to let go of things I’ve been holding onto and to receive with gratitude and trust the things He is placing in my hands.
Surrounded by magnificent beauty, I’m reminded that the Creator of these mountains is strong enough to keep me standing when everything around me shakes. When I leave this place and return to real life, I can face trouble and remember that He’s close enough to hear me when I call, empathetic enough to care about my struggle, faithful enough to act on my behalf, and powerful enough to deliver me. What’s more amazing is that if He decides to not deliver me from the thing that troubles me, He’s still capable of delivering me from the fear itself.
As I go back home, I wonder: what is God calling me to surrender to Him?
Whether it’s my plans,
my desires,
the people I treasure,
my brilliant ideas,
my crushing fears,
my sense of comfort,
my mental or physical health,
my youth,
or my future,
I’m learning to live a more surrendered life, to release these things to the Lord’s control and trust that His way is better. I want to follow the prayer of Jesus, who in his darkest moment asked the Father to change his circumstances but finished with,“Yet not as I will but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
For Your Journal
Find It:
In this portion of your journal, write out this scripture from today’s devotion.
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” - Psalm 34:4
Fix It:
In this portion of your journal, pull out a few key words from the verse, or summarize the verse in your own words. Write it in pretty lettering or sketch something that will help you visualize the meaning of the verse and fix it in your mind. Repeat these words to yourself throughout the week to remind you of the truth contained in the scripture. Here are some options:
Deliver me from all my fears
I’m letting go of my fear
Feel It:
In this portion of your journal, write out a prayer. The goal is to absorb the meaning of the scripture and let it take root in your heart. Ask the Lord to let his word change you by the power of his Spirit so that you begin to feel like the new person you’re becoming in Christ. Surrender any areas of your life that you are trying to control.
Lord, there’s something special about getting away from my normal routine and experiencing you in a different environment. Thank you that you are capable of delivering me from all my fears— not just from the things I’m afraid of, but the actual fear itself. I want to live a surrendered life, a life that appreciates and desires your will above my own. Help me remember that when I let go of control and accept what you have for me, you will be faithful to deliver me from all my fears. Amen.