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The woman’s words were bitter. “I don’t understand how God can expect me to submit to that man. I’m not a slave or a doormat!”

One of the other women in the Bible study chimed in. “Yeah. This whole submission thing gets me too. We’re just expected to surrender our will and be treated like a puppet, right? How’s that supposed to help us?”

The leader took a moment to explain the meaning of the word submit to the group of anxious females. She told them that while it means to surrender or submit to authority, it also means to defer or yield oneself to the opinions of another. In other words, a choice.

She went on to explain that the principles in God’s kingdom are a paradox—something that seems contradictory to common sense such as: Love your enemies. The more you give, the more you get in return. Lose your life so you can gain it. Then she said, “It is only through the act of surrender and submission to God—and to each other—that you will find true power and freedom.”

One writer says that surrender—which we think means defeat—actually turns out to be the only way to victory. God gave us a will and the ability to choose. When we choose to lay down our selfish ambitions and align our will with His, we are, as the Bible says, offering ourselves as a “living sacrifice.”

The truth is God is for us. He has our back and our best interest at heart. He gives us guidelines to follow to help us grow and reach our full potential, not to keep us in bondage. When we accept His Word as final authority in our lives, He is able to pour out His blessings on us in ways we can’t imagine or comprehend.

Even Jesus said to His Father, “Not my will but yours be done.” Therein lies the victory.

Don’t hold anything back from God. Surrender to Him today. Submit your will to His, and watch what He does in your life.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tiverylucky.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)