When You’re Having a Tantrum

The other day it hit me like a bolt of lightning, this same lesson I’ve been learning since I was two years old: You can’t always have everything your way. The lightning bolt came as a simple question. Will you stubbornly hold out like a tantrum-throwing toddler to get your way, or will you surrender and let God have His way?

Deep down inside, I’m not all that different from a two year old who screams and kicks his feet in a desperate attempt to get his own way. Oh, I don’t kick and scream; my reactions are more “grown-up.” I get frustrated, irritated and discouraged by things I wish were different:

• The stress of home school in the high school years, wondering if what we’re doing is enough.
• Dust bunnies in the hall and the wreck in my closet.
• Teamwork on a shared project when I don’t quite see eye to eye with co-workers.
• Differences of opinion with my husband.

These minor irritations are part of God’s design to shape me and have his way in my life. Rather than kicking my feet and screaming inside to have things my way, I want to let God have His way. I want to surrender and trust God to work. Surrender leads to freedom.

• I’m free to trust God to equip me since he’s called us to home school our kids.
• I’m free to accept the fact that this is not my season to have a perfectly clean house.
• I’m free to let go of control when I work with others. I can do things their way sometimes and trust that God is working out His way.
• I’m free to trust my husband’s wisdom and to be grateful that we dialogue to make decisions.

Often our best ideas fall short of God’s plans for us. His Word is clear and true:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Surrender means you’re free to let go of control and trust God with outcomes.

Surrender means you don’t have to have things your way all the time.

Surrender means you grow spiritually as you let others do things their way.

Surrender means you can take Sabbath rest because you trust that God is still working when you cannot.

Surrender means more peace and trust. God is in control, and He is working out his plans.

Surrender means you can relax and enjoy life more.

Surrender means you can be quiet and let go of the need to be right.

What does surrender mean to you? Will you join me this week in seeking to let go of frustration over things you wish were different? May you be blessed as you surrender to God’s design for you each day.