When we think of surrendering do we think of giving up or giving in? Do we think of positive or negative?

I like to think of surrendering in a positive way…as in quitting a bad habit. Instead of surrendering to the idea that I could never quit smoking, I  surrendered to the thought that it was bad for my health and detrimental to the loved ones in closest proximity to me. With that thought in mind the surrendered state became a reality. It has been twenty-one years since smoking has been part of my life.

Likewise, when disagreements occur and cause friction in friendships, families, and relationships, the thought of trying to end the conflict could be seen as giving in or surrendering to those who we think are the cause of such disruptions. But if our thoughts are of only making things better even at the risk of further alienation, then surrendering to those thoughts instead of to the grudge can, in the end, lead to peace of mind, knowing that all attempts were made to remedy a situation even if it is not remedied.

The greatest surrender of all is surrendering to God’s plan for our life, no matter what our belief. With that surrender everything else falls into place. It may not always be to our liking or to the way we expect it should be, but we can know that it is always for our best even though that may not appear evident at the time.

As this is being written, an old year is being surrendered to a new year. There is nothing we can do about that…it just is…and in surrendering old thoughts for new, bad habits for better, bitterness for understanding, hatred for love…we will be giving in to the act of surrendering.

Happy New Year.