Surrender: Anchoring Our Faith in God’s Covenant and Sovereignty

There’s a kind of surrender that doesn’t come from weakness or avoidance, but from bold, active faith.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faces a vast and terrifying enemy. The armies of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir are coming against Judah. This is a paralyzing fear and discouragement that shatters the souls of the entire nation, for by human standards, this isn’t a fair fight. Jehoshaphat knows it. But instead of preparing his best warriors, he does something unexpected: he gathers the people and calls for fasting and prayer.

He lifts his eyes to YHWH, the covenant-keeping God of Israel, and admits, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" (v. 12). This is not the helplessness of a leader with no plan; it is the humility of a king who knows his place before the sovereign Elohim, Creator and Ruler over all.

YHWH is the personal name of God, often translated as "LORD" in our English Bibles. It represents God's unchanging, faithful, and relational nature, emphasizing His loving covenant with His people. When Jehoshaphat turns to YHWH, he is calling upon the God who has always been faithful to His promises, the God who binds Himself to His people with love and commitment.

In contrast, Elohim highlights God's sovereignty and supreme power. It is a name that reflects God's role as the Creator of all things, the One who holds the universe in His hands and governs everything that exists. Elohim speaks to God's majesty, omnipotence, and the fact that He is the ultimate authority in all matters, visible and invisible.

Together, these names show us the balance of God's faithful, covenantal love and His all-encompassing, authoritative power. Jehoshaphat acknowledges both God's intimate relationship with His people and His supreme authority over the world, recognizing that the battle belongs to Him alone.

And then the answer comes. It’s not a battle strategy, but a promise:

"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s [Elohim]. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord [YHWH] will give you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord [YHWH] will be with you." (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17)

This Is What Active Faith Looks Like

Jehoshaphat doesn’t get to sit this one out. God doesn’t remove the threat. But He reminds them: this battle does not belong to you. You are not the commander—Elohim is. You are His people—YHWH, your faithful God, will go with you.

Active faith isn’t passive. It’s not about standing around and waiting for God to act while we formulate our own backup plans. It’s about turning to YHWH and Elohim first—in prayer, in fasting, in petition, and even lament. We begin not by solving, but by seeking. Not by analyzing, but by adoring. Not by planning, but by praying. Faith moves, but it moves in response to God, not ahead of Him.

Active Surrender Is Not Avoidance

We often imagine surrender as passive—doing nothing, giving up, backing down. But biblical surrender is different. It requires showing up. It requires laying down our illusion of control and stepping forward in obedience anyway. It's not spiritual apathy; it's spiritual courage.

When the people of Judah worshipped, they were not escaping reality. They were confronting it with the only weapon that mattered: faith in Elohim, the God who governs outcomes. Their eyes were on the covenant promises of YHWH, who had never once forsaken His people.

Their surrender was not passive. It was their battle posture.

Faith Isn’t the Absence of Action, It’s Obedient Movement

It’s worth noticing: God doesn’t say, "Stay home and I’ll take care of it." He says, "Go out to face them… Take your position… and watch what I will do."

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is to stand firm where God tells us to stand even when we don’t know how it ends. Faith isn’t pretending we aren’t afraid. It’s trusting that YHWH’s promises are more real than what we feel.

Faith means moving forward even when the math doesn’t work, when the odds are against you, when the timeline doesn’t make sense because you trust Elohim, the God who is never late and never outmatched.

And true faith begins with a posture of the heart. When we recognize the abundant mercy of YHWH and the sovereignty of Elohim, it humbles us. We begin to see ourselves rightly—limited, dependent, and deeply in need of grace. That awareness invites repentance, not out of shame, but as a response to the mercy and justice of the One who reigns over all.

This is the heart of surrender:

Anxiety for trust.
Striving for rest.
Fear for hope.
Control for peace.

For Those Facing a Battle Right Now

Maybe you're standing at the edge of something that feels impossible. Maybe the army you’re facing is made of insecurity, fear, shame, unforgiveness, bitterness, exhaustion, or the slow drip of hope deferred.

You don’t have to know what to do next. You just need to lift your eyes and take your position—one of faith and repentance:

Take your position in the Word.
Take your position in prayer.
Take your position in obedience.
Take your position in truth.
Take your position in community.
Take your position in worship—even before the victory comes.

And before you rush to fix what feels broken, bring it first to the throne of Elohim. Lift your voice in prayer, petition, or even lament, declaring who He is and whatever your soul needs to say, because active faith begins not with your plans, but with your dependence on Him. The God who hears is also the God who fights.

And then, watch what YHWH, your covenant God, will do. Watch how Elohim, sovereign over all things, moves in ways no enemy can thwart.

The battle may not be yours to win. But it is yours to show up for.

Reflective Questions

1. What is one area of your life where you’ve been trying to fight in your own strength instead of bringing it first to God in prayer?

2. How might Elohim be inviting you to take your position in prayer, lament, or repentance before moving forward with plans or solutions?

3. In what ways is the Spirit prompting you to surrender control and respond in obedience?

4. How can you more intentionally fix your eyes on YHWH this week—through Scripture, prayer, worship, or community?

5. What would it look like for you to repent not out of shame, but in response to God’s mercy and sovereignty?

Let your surrender become your strength. Let your faith become your position. And let the Lord fight your battle.

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Lamentation: Wrestling with God in the Brokenness

I wasn’t raised to lament.

I was raised to pray but only in hushed tones. Hands folded neatly. Heads bowed in reverence. The volume and tone mattered: always respectful, always measured. Begin with thanksgiving. Ask gently, and only if you follow it with “if it’s Your will.” When pain entered the room, we did not bring it to God; we tried to stifle it with gratitude. I was taught that sorrow could teeter on the edge of disrespect or ungratefulness. Deep questions were discouraged. Tears were wiped away quickly. Emotions were filtered before they reached heaven.

But as I grew in my faith, especially through suffering, I began to realize that the way I had learned to pray left little room for the kind of grief that doesn’t resolve quickly. For injustice. For betrayal. For the ache of watching the world unravel and wondering why God feels so silent.

It was through His Word, as I came to know His unchanging character and covenant love, that I discovered lament—an invitation to bring my sorrow and questions to Him, not hide them.

Lament: A Forgotten Form of Faith

In many churches, lamentation is overlooked or misunderstood. It’s absent from many family prayer traditions entirely. But the Bible does not shy away from lament, it boldly embraces it.

Lament is the language of a faithful heart in pain. It is what we pray when we are confused, angry, grieving, or disillusioned. Lament does not reject God. It clings to Him with open hands and an honest heart. It is not a complaint or a lack of gratitude. Biblically, lament is a form of worship.

Throughout Scripture, we see this kind of prayer repeatedly. The book of Lamentations mourns the devastation of Jerusalem with raw clarity. Nearly one-third of the Psalms are psalms of lament. Job cries out to God in confusion, anger, and sorrow, and God honors his voice. Even Jesus, in His final hours, quoted Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

What Lament Truly Is

Lament follows a sacred rhythm in Scripture:

1. It turns to God.

2. It names the pain with brutal honesty.

3. It pleads for help, even boldly.

4. It reaffirms trust in who God is.

Lament refuses to pretend. It does not hide pain behind platitudes or shrink it to make others more comfortable. Instead, it brings grief, injustice, fear, and sorrow into the presence of a holy and compassionate God.

And here’s the heart of it: negative emotions—grief, frustration, even anger and sadness—are not foreign to God. They are not outside the realm of holiness. Scripture tells us that we are made in the image of God, and that includes our emotional capacity. God grieves. God becomes angry at injustice. Jesus wept. These emotions are not signs of spiritual immaturity but reflections of God’s heart. When we lament, we echo those same emotional truths, trusting that God can handle them and that He welcomes our honesty.

Lament as Relational Trust

Lament is deeply relational. It is what we do when we believe God can handle the truth of our hearts. Just as a child cries out to a parent, not just for answers but for presence, so lament reaches toward a faithful God who invites us into communion, even in sorrow.

This sacred exchange is rooted in covenant love. The Israelites cried out not because they stopped believing in God, but because they believed His character was still trustworthy. “God, You said You are just. You said You are kind. This pain doesn’t make sense in light of who You are. So I bring it to You.”

That is the distinction between lament and complaint. Complaint turns away. Lament turns toward.

True faith is not about stoically quoting Scripture while we suppress our anguish. It is not about putting on a strong face while falling apart inside. Biblical faith is found in relational surrender, the kind of surrender that says, “I don’t understand You right now, but I still trust You enough to bring this to You.”

And in that sacred space, we encounter a kind of intimacy that surface-level prayers will never reach.

The Healing Power of Honest Connection

Psalm 34:18 tells us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 51:17 adds, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

What a contrast to how many of us were taught to pray. God does not turn away from our pain. He draws near to it. He honors it when it is brought to Him in faith.

Modern relationship research supports this spiritual truth. In emotionally secure relationships—whether between spouses, parents and children, or close friends—emotional vulnerability fosters deeper connection when it is met with empathy and attunement. Dr. John Gottman’s research on marriage emphasizes that healthy relationships are not free from conflict, but are marked by the ability to “turn toward” one another in difficult moments. Dr. Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Therapy shows that vulnerable sharing, when received with safety, builds lasting emotional bonds.

Researcher Dr. Dan Siegel adds that emotional attunement between parent and child builds neurological and relational security. A child who is allowed to express fear or sadness and is met with presence, not punishment, develops resilience. Our relationship with God is no different. When we cry out and are met with His presence, we grow in trust. We grow in faith.

This is precisely what lament offers us. It is the soul turning toward God with its most vulnerable cries. Lament is an attachment cry—an act of trust that deepens our relationship and lived experience with Him.

The Fruit of Wrestling

God’s people were never meant to pray shallow prayers in painful seasons. We were meant to wrestle with Him. That wrestling, like Jacob’s long night or Job’s anguished monologues, brings us face to face with who God is. And the fruit of that kind of prayer is not just relief, but transformation. Intimacy. Humility. An increased faith.

The Apostle Paul encourages believers in Philippians 4:6–7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

That kind of peace doesn’t come from ignoring our pain. It comes from bringing all of it—our grief, our questions, our longings—to the One who is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, and who lovingly pursues a Father-child relationship with us.

A Courageous and Faithful Prayer

Lament is not a spiritual weakness. It is an act of courage. It is not immaturity—it is faith that is willing to struggle. Lament says, “Even when I cannot see You, I still believe You are near. Even in silence, I believe You listen and You are good.”

Maybe it’s time to reclaim the language of lament in our churches, in our homes, and in our personal walks with God. Maybe it’s time we teach our children that bringing their sorrow and confusion to God is not only okay, it’s sacred.

When we lament, we join the voices of Job, David, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and even Jesus Himself. We cry from the wilderness, and in that cry, we draw closer to the heart of God.

Don’t be afraid to pray ugly prayers. Your Father isn’t put off by your brokenness. He delights in your honesty—your intentional choice to come to Him instead of turning away. He meets you in the wrestle. And He will not let go.

www.sandraleecounseling.com

Prayer

Do you ever feel awkward, lost, or inadequate when it comes to prayer? Perhaps you struggle to find the "right" words or feel ashamed to approach God because of your sins or mistakes. You might even wonder if prayer is necessary since God already knows everything about you. But why is prayer important? It's because prayer is not just about informing God; it's about transforming us.

In the midst of life's chaos and distractions, prayer serves as a vital connection to God. While reading the Bible teaches us about His sovereignty and character, prayer prompts us to acknowledge them, our shortcomings, and our needs, helping us realign our focus and cultivate humility. Moreover, prayer fosters communication and relationship-building with God, offering guidance, wisdom, forgiveness, and opportunities for intercession and gratitude. Importantly, prayer doesn't have to be complicated. Matthew 6:7-8 reminds us that we don't need to use fancy words or lengthy phrases; rather, God values sincerity and authenticity in our prayers. Similarly, Romans 8:26 assures us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, even when we struggle to find the right words. 

Psychological research has shed light on the therapeutic benefits of prayer, demonstrating significant improvements in regulating emotions, anxiety, and stress. This comes as no surprise, as we were designed to pray, to connect with God. Prayer parallels the process of identifying and labeling emotions, experiences, and problems. Just as naming emotions enhances self-awareness and regulation, prayer allows us to articulate our thoughts and feelings to God, fostering validation and normalization.

Moreover, in the practice of prayer, identifying problems can serve as a catalyst for gaining perspective, objectivity, and control over one's circumstances. This aligns with the biblical principle of keeping one's thoughts captive to obey Christ, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Through prayerful reflection, individuals can approach challenges with greater clarity and discernment. Additionally, this process facilitates problem-solving, emotional regulation, and coping mechanisms. By recognizing that difficulties are not inherent to one's identity but rather external factors, including the Enemy, individuals can mitigate feelings of shame or self-blame, as these external factors can be addressed or managed.

Furthermore, prayer provides emotional support, aiding in our transition out of the fight-or-flight state and cultivating a sense of peace as we acknowledge God's sovereignty and recognize His ultimate authority over our circumstances. This sense of peace also comes from knowing that in prayer, we are not alone or isolated; rather, we are in fellowship with God, which can bring comfort and reassurance in times of distress. This approach underscores the therapeutic nature of prayer, offering individuals a pathway to resilience and spiritual growth.

Consider the Lord's Prayer, a model of prayer taught by Jesus Himself. In its simplicity, it covers essential aspects of prayer: Acknowledging God's holiness, submitting to His will, seeking provision and forgiveness, and requesting guidance and protection. Each element serves a purpose, guiding believers in their approach to prayer and reinforcing the importance of intimacy with God. If you would like more information on the breakdown of the Lord’s Prayer, I would recommend reading this article: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/prayer/breakdown-of-the-lords-prayer.html

In summary, prayer is not merely a religious obligation but a transformative practice that empowers us to navigate life in this broken world with clarity and compassion. By embracing prayer as a means of seeking intimacy with our Creator and finding healing, we recognize that we are not alone in navigating the challenges of this dark world. Prayer becomes a pathway to experiencing the profound intimacy and grace of God's presence, providing solace and strength amidst life's uncertainties. As we lift our voices in prayer, we acknowledge God's sovereignty, trusting in His goodness and wisdom that far surpasses our understanding (Ephesians 3:20). Even when faced with difficulties beyond our comprehension, prayer reminds us of God's steady love and His plans for us. Isaiah 41:10 reassures us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Through prayer, we surrender our worries, fears, and control, finding comfort in knowing that God's purposes prevail and His grace is sufficient for every trial.

www.sandraleecounseling.com