Surrender

In an age where control and independence are highly valued, choosing “surrender” as your word for 2025 is a bold, countercultural choice. Surrendering to Christ means trusting Him completely with every area of life, letting go of our own desires, fears, and agendas, and giving Him the reins. In a world marked by rapid change, uncertainty, and self-reliance, surrendering can bring the profound peace and purpose that comes from resting in God’s sovereignty. This article explores what it truly means to surrender to Christ, how to live out this word intentionally, and key Scriptures that will guide and encourage you throughout the year. 

What Does It Mean to Surrender to Christ? 

To surrender to Christ is to yield every part of ourselves—our hearts, our decisions, our dreams, and our worries—into His hands. It’s not a passive act of giving up but an active decision to trust God’s wisdom, love, and guidance over our own understanding. Surrender is not about abandoning responsibility but rather shifting our reliance from ourselves to God, acknowledging that His plans are greater than ours. 

In Romans 12:1, the apostle Paul calls us to this kind of surrender: 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” 

A life of surrender means living as a “living sacrifice,” where every aspect of our lives becomes an offering to God. Surrendering to Christ involves releasing our need for control, trusting that God’s plan is ultimately for our good and His glory, and stepping forward with a heart that is willing and open to His leading. 

Embracing "Surrender" as Your Word of the Year 

Choosing “surrender” as your word of the year offers a unique opportunity to align your heart, mind, and actions with God’s purpose. Here are some ways to embrace “surrender” in 2025: 

1. Start Each Day with a Prayer of Surrender 

Beginning each day with a prayer of surrender can set the tone for a life aligned with God’s will. Ask God to guide your actions, thoughts, and decisions throughout the day, and express your trust in His plans. A prayer of surrender might look something like this: 

“Lord, today I place my plans, my worries, and my hopes in Your hands. Lead me in the way I should go, and help me to trust You more deeply. Let Your will, not mine, be done.” 

This daily practice of surrender allows you to open your heart to God and let go of any anxieties or concerns about the day ahead. 

2. Identify Areas Where You Need to Let Go 

Surrendering to Christ often involves identifying specific areas in life where we tend to hold on tightly. Perhaps it’s your career, finances, relationships, or personal ambitions. Reflect on where you’re struggling to let God lead and invite Him into those areas with an open heart. Proverbs 3:5-6 offers this wisdom: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” 

Ask God to help you release these areas to Him, trusting that His ways are higher than yours. 

3. Practice Patience and Trust in God’s Timing 

One of the challenges of surrender is trusting God’s timing. When we surrender, we’re often called to wait patiently for His perfect timing, even when it doesn’t align with our own expectations. Psalm 27:14 encourages us: 

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” 

Learning to wait with patience, rather than rushing forward, is an act of faith and surrender that deepens our trust in God. 

4. Surrender Your Fears and Worries to God 

Fears and anxieties can hold us back from fully surrendering to God. When we allow fear to dictate our actions, we may resist God’s leading or try to control outcomes ourselves. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are encouraged: 

“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.” 

Whenever you feel anxious or uncertain, bring your concerns to God. Practicing this kind of surrender replaces worry with peace and reminds us that God is capable of carrying our burdens. 

5. Find Joy in Obedience to God’s Will 

Surrendering to Christ also means being open and willing to follow His commands and direction. Embrace a spirit of joyful obedience, knowing that God’s instructions are for your benefit and His glory. Psalm 40:8 captures the heart of surrender: 

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” 

Rather than seeing surrender as restrictive, view it as liberating, as it frees you to walk in God’s perfect will with joy and purpose. 

Scriptures to Focus on Throughout the Year 

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ROMANS 12:1 NLT 

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. LUKE 9:23 NIV 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 
    and do not lean on your own understanding. 
In all your ways acknowledge him, 
    and he will make straight your paths. 
PROVERBS 3:5-6 ESV 

Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. JAMES 4:7 CSB 

Choosing “surrender” as your word of the year is an invitation to experience God’s peace, wisdom, and strength as you yield control to Him. By making a daily habit of surrendering your plans, worries, and desires, you can experience a life marked by trust, peace, and alignment with God’s will. 

In 2025, let “surrender” remind you that you are not alone; God is with you in every step, guiding you, comforting you, and shaping you according to His purpose. Surrender is not about losing yourself but about finding your truest, most purposeful life in Christ. May you find joy, peace, and fulfillment as you trust Him fully, knowing that God’s plans are always for your good and His glory. 

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