Bible Journaling Lesson: Surrender

Have you ever carried something heavy for too long—maybe grocery bags, a backpack, or even an emotional burden? At first, you might feel strong enough to handle it. But the longer you hold onto it, the heavier it becomes.

Spiritually, we do the same thing. We bring our worries, sins, and struggles to the Lord, laying them down at His feet. Yet, sometimes, we pick them right back up as if we have to carry them ourselves.

Psalm 55:22 "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."

Psalm 55:22 tells us to cast our cares on the Lord. The word “cast” means to throw or release something completely. It doesn’t mean to set it down temporarily or hold onto a piece of it.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

God never intended for you to carry the weight of guilt from past mistakes, worry over things you can’t control, hurt from old wounds, and/or fear of the future. Why do you think it’s hard for us to fully release our burdens to God? To Surrender our burdens?

When we surrender our burdens at the cross, we must trust that God is strong enough to handle them. But sometimes, we take them back. Maybe we feel anxious, doubt God’s timing, or think we still need control.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) says: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you."

It’s not just about giving our burdens to God—it’s about trusting Him with them. Psalm 55:22 assures us that when we give our burdens to God, He will sustain us. This doesn’t mean our problems disappear instantly, but it does mean that we are not alone, God will give us the strength to endure. We can rest in His peace instead of carrying anxiety.

What’s something you’ve been carrying for too long? Maybe it’s a sin, a worry, a painful memory, or something out of your control. Whatever "that" is, Jesus already carried it to the cross for you. You don’t have to hold onto it anymore. When we feel the temptation to hold onto our burdens, let us remember: we were never meant to carry them beyond the cross. Surrender is not a one-time act but a daily choice to trust in the One who is able to carry what we cannot.

Lord, I give You my burdens once and for all. Help me to leave them at the cross and not pick them back up. Thank You for sustaining me, strengthening me, and reminding me that I was never meant to carry this alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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