Many people entering recovery discover that the real struggle isn’t alcohol, drugs, or any outward behavior — it’s self‑reliance. This article explores what it means to live a surrendered life and why genuine freedom begins when we stop trying to manage life on our own and allow God to take His rightful place.
A Surrendered Life
Recovery is about living a surrendered life. The first three steps are especially about surrender:
- I can’t,
- God can,
- So, I’ll let Him!
Life‑controlling problems such as alcohol or drug abuse are only manifestations of a deeper underlying cause. The real issue is self‑centeredness. Self‑centeredness is when we insist on being in control of our own lives and carrying out our own plans in our own strength and wisdom. Maybe Jesus is resident in your life, but not President.
The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t work — and God never intended anyone to live this way. Some people seem to get away with it for a while, but it eventually leads to emptiness and brokenness.
God intended us to live in fellowship with Him in all that we do. He has a plan for our lives and providentially orchestrates our circumstances to provide all the wisdom, time, energy, resources, and power needed to carry out His plan.
Seemingly well‑adjusted people may appear to cope well without God being in control of their lives. However, in the end they discover that everything done apart from the Lord lacks true purpose and meaning. Some never find real peace and joy because their stubborn self‑sufficiency resists the blessings of the Lord.
In a sense, dysfunctional people are fortunate that they can’t manage their own lives. It forces us to turn to the Lord, who restores us to the way He originally intended us to live. It is the easier, softer way — God is the One who does the work; we simply go along for the ride.
God does not call us to perform for Him. He calls us to be yielded (surrendered) to Him, and He performs through us. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV) “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20 NIV)
When we learn to live a surrendered life, we are generally happy, joyous, and free, experiencing the fruit of the Spirit. A self‑centered life eventually produces “fruits of the flesh” such as anxiety, depression, anger, worry, doubts, fears, inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy. Not a pretty way to live.
It would seem the choice is simple — misery or happiness. Who would knowingly choose a self‑defeating, self‑destructive approach to life? God created us as objects of His love. Above all, He wants us to be in fellowship with Him so He can love us. God is love. I encourage you to offer (surrender) yourself as a living sacrifice and allow the Lord to bless you beyond your hopes and dreams.
If this message encouraged you, explore more Christ‑centered recovery resources at RecoveryInChrist.org. You can also download a printable version of this material for personal or group handout use.