Are you tired, confused, frustrated?

Why is it so hard for us to give up? Maybe it’s because since we were very young, the world has told us that surrender represents weakness. For this reason, every day we continue to fight a battle that takes one more bite out of our soul. Unfortunately for some of us, we become so stubborn that we accept the fact that living a miserable life is better than giving up or changing.

This is no way to live, I promise you. I think that when you are confused and frustrated with the situation in your life, the pain you feel is a clear sign that it is time to rethink your direction, maybe choose a different path. God is telling you that what you are doing or trying to do is simply not working and the only way out is to give up.

Think about it: Let’s say you’re walking down a hallway and at the end of the hallway is a brick wall. Some of us who are stubborn spend the next few days, months, and even years banging our heads against that brick wall, telling ourselves we’ll be through it soon. Meanwhile, we continue to have headaches day after day. The easiest thing would be to give up, stop and start again. I know, it’s easier said than done.

Or is that it? In my experience, it’s actually quite easy to give up and look for a better way. It is the first step that is always the most difficult. Once you have decided that the life you are living or the situation you are in is too daunting, stop and say a prayer of surrender. It may sound something like this. “Dear Lord, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired, please turn me and my life in a direction where my back is against the brick wall and my face is looking at you, AMEN.” And it’s ready! What will happen next will change your life forever.

Surrender can occur in both small and large situations. Here is a funny story that happened to me just this morning. I was trying to get my son out on time for school and just as he was leaving he said that he couldn’t find his track uniform for his track meet later today. I told him that he had washed everything and that he had to be somewhere in the house. We spread out for the next 10 minutes, flipping drawers and beds, to no avail. That’s when I told her to get in his car and just go to school. I told him, “Son, I’ll make sure you have a uniform before today’s competition.” He accepted and left. At that point, I gave up. Before that moment I had been frustrated and knew I had to let it go. Once I did, many solutions to the problem began to flow into my head. I emailed his coach and a new uniform will be waiting for him when he gets to school. Thank God for the gift of surrender, otherwise I could have ruined my day with guilt, fear, and frustration. Not only did I not have to go through that, but my son didn’t have to put up with it either.

Please listen when I say that we all have something that we are afraid to change. We feel as if giving up is a sign of failure. Who wants to start over? I get it! But please, take the time today and really look at what is keeping you from being who God wants you to be in his life. Say a prayer and ask for the strength to surrender and the faith to begin a new beginning. You are never too old or too young to give up. Life is so much more enjoyable when we stop trying to get through that dead end: the brick wall with our heads. You are an amazing child of God and deserve to live your best life! The choice is within.