Blooming WithinChikamu

THE SEED OF SURRENDER: GOD FIRST, WORRY LESS

The act of surrendering oneself to Christ begins with the work of the Spirit in the life of the believer. The Holy Spirit convicts individuals of their sin and need for salvation, and through His power, they are enabled to respond in faith and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This initial surrender of the will to God is the foundation of the Christian life and the starting point for a lifelong process of sanctification.

Surrendering to Jesus also involves the transformation of the soul. This process of sanctification occurs as the believer grows in their relationship with Christ, allowing Him to mold and shape their character to become more like His. Surrendering the soul to Christ means giving Him control of our desires, emotions, and thought life. It is a continuous process of renewing the mind and aligning our will with His, which brings about lasting change and spiritual growth.

Letting go of worry can be challenging. It's easy to forget that we don't have complete control. We may choose to hold onto our worries, but God won't force us to surrender to His will because He gave us free will. However, God is in charge of the bigger picture, with Jesus reigning over all, and His ultimate plan will happen with or without us. Despite this, God wants us to experience His goodness in our lives and provide us with everything we need, which He has already given us through Christ. To do so,

we need to surrender our tendency to control and worry, and have faith in God's plan.

SOUL PRAYER:

Dear God,

As I come before you today, I am reminded of your words in Matthew 6:33-34. You tell us to seek your Kingdom above all else, and to live righteously, trusting that you will provide everything we need.

Father, I confess that I often get caught up in worrying about the future and whether I will be able to achieve my goals and dreams. I forget to trust in your plan and to seek your will for my life.

But today, I want to make a conscious effort to seek your Kingdom first. I want to put my faith in you and trust that you will provide for my needs and guide me on the right path. Help me to live a righteous life, serving others and making a difference in the world.

I know that tomorrow will bring its own worries, but I choose to focus on today and to trust in your provision and guidance. Help me to let go of my worries and to surrender my plans to you.

Thank you, Lord, for your love and faithfulness. I trust in you, and I know that you will never leave me nor forsake me.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

SOUL REFLECTION:

1. "How can I actively seek God's kingdom and righteousness in my daily life?”
2. "In what ways am I allowing worry to impact my life and relationships?"
3. "What can I do to cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision for my life?"