Lesson 3: Surrender Brings Freedom

Krishna Cruz
Jan 7
2 min read

I used to think surrender meant giving up. It felt like weakness, like admitting defeat.

But I've learned that surrender is actually strength. It's saying, "I can't carry this alone, and I was never meant to."

When my father was diagnosed with cancer, I immediately shifted into problem-solving mode. Living far away from my parents, I couldn’t be there physically. So I became the family advisor from a distance, giving my mom detailed “instructions” on how to handle everything. But nothing I suggested was followed. The frustration consumed me. I found myself angry, stressed, and crying constantly because I was trying to control what I couldn’t.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” This verse pierced my heart. I needed to surrender my anxieties to God and let Him take control, allowing Him to carry what I was never meant to hold while I simply focused on loving my parents.

When I finally let go, something unexpected happened: I felt lighter. The burden I'd been white-knuckling wasn't mine to carry. And in releasing it, I found a peace I didn't know was possible.

Surrender isn't giving up on what matters. It's giving it over to Someone who can hold it better than I can.

What surrender looks like for me now:

Starting each morning with open hands. Each morning I pray:
“Lord, this day belongs to you. I release my expectations, my to-do list, and my need to control the outcome.”
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." — Psalm 118:24

Leaving my worries in God’s inbox. When anxiety overwhelms me, I find a quiet space to pray. I imagine walking into heaven’s office, where Jesus has a desk with an inbox. I set down my heavy folder of worries, leave it with Him, and trust that He’s got it from here.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6-7
Pausing before reacting. When I feel the urge to fix, advise, or take control of a situation that isn’t mine to manage, I stop and ask: “Is this mine to carry, or am I trying to do God’s job?” That pause has save me from so much unnecessary stress.
Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10