Satan relishes nothing more than to infiltrate our minds. It’s his playground, the battlefield where many of our struggles and failures originate. During our waking hours, immersed in productivity and grounded in God’s Word, we find it easier to stand firm. But what happens when we sleep?
The Vulnerability of Sleep
Sleep is a time of rest, but it’s also a period when our defenses are down. I’ve heard claims that we can control our dreams, and perhaps there’s some truth to that. However, what about those moments when we can’t, and the enemy seizes the opportunity to torment us? Often, I’ve found that the devil chooses my sleep time to pester me. In dreams, he slithers in like the serpent he is, reminding me of his intent to destroy. I recall a dream where I was entangled in sin, not resisting but indulging. Upon waking, I sensed a demonic presence hovering over me. Instinctively, I sought Jesus, and the Holy Spirit brought James 4:7 to mind:“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”— James 4:7 (NLT)
Spiritual Sensitivity: Eyes to See, Ears to Hear
God has blessed me with spiritual sensitivity. I saw that entity beside me. I heard God’s reassuring voice: “Don’t be afraid because that’s what he wants.” So, I did what I know best—I surrendered. I exchanged fear for love, worry for comfort, anxiety for peace that surpasses all understanding. I invited the Holy Spirit into every facet of my being—mind, body, will, and emotions—asking Him to fill me up to the point overflow. Focusing on His Word, the oppressive presence vanished. God’s gentle response:“See 😇.”
Understanding the Real Battle
Our struggles aren’t merely against tangible challenges. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”— Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)This scripture underscores the reality of spiritual warfare. Our adversaries are not people but spiritual entities aiming to derail our faith and purpose.
The Power of Surrender: What I’ve Learned About Surrendering to God — And How It Saved My Life
For many people, the thought of surrendering anything feels like being vulnerable. It feels like weakness. Like you’re not being able to defend yourself. It sounds harsh at first—like we’re losing a battle. But when I started my walk with God, I quickly learned something that couldn’t be further from the truth.: Surrender is not losing. It’s winning in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Surrender Was a Foreign Concept to Me
I didn’t truly know what it meant to surrender. I’d heard the word in church services and testimonies, but I didn’t get it until recently in my journey with Christ. For the longest time, I thought I had to have it all together—to be strong, to push through, to survive. And as someone who use to struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar with Psychosis, survival mode was the only mode I knew. My trauma had taught me to fight everything—even God. But then, something shifted. I had hit a breaking point. The kind where your soul is just tired. I remember sitting in the quiet, tears pouring down, heart heavy. I didn’t have any strength left. That’s when I whispered for help—real help. Not the temporary reliefs I used to reach for—sex, drugs, or alcohol. No, this time, I cried out to Jesus. And in that sacred moment of brokenness, He showed up. Not with condemnation. Not with shame. But with peace. With love. With open arms. That’s when I learned my first lesson:
1. Surrender is a Choice
God doesn’t force us to surrender. He doesn’t kick the door in and take over. He’ll wait—like the Gentleman He is—patiently at the door of your heart, knocking, letting you know the choice is yours. He honors your will. But when you choose to give Him access, He transforms everything.
2. Surrender is Strength
I used to believe letting go meant being weak. But in reality, letting go of the things that were slowly destroying me—my suicidal thoughts, my self-harm, my inner chaos—took more strength than I ever imagined. When I surrendered my thoughts of death, God gave me new life. And now, I get to tell others how He saved me. What you give to God without a fight, He uses for His glory, to bless others, and to bless you. That’s not weakness. That’s supernatural strength.
3. Surrender is Personal
One thing that really helped me grow in my relationship with God was realizing that my surrender doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. I’ve seen people weep at the altar, others quietly repent, and some radically change overnight. Me? Mine was slow. Mine was messy. It was full of relapses and rededications. But it was real. Just like no two marriages look the same, neither do our relationships with Christ. Don’t let someone else’s expectations steal the beauty of your surrender.
A Visualization That Helped Me Surrender
One thing that helped me immensely was visualizing myself placing my pain, heartache, and trauma into God’s hands. I’d close my eyes and picture Him receiving it—His light swallowing my darkness. When I did that, I began to walk in redemption—the action of being saved from sin, error, or evil. That’s when faith kicked in:“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1.
“Substance of things hoped for,”: handing over sin, hoping for freedom.
“Evidence of things not seen”: believing that even though I can’t see Jesus wiping away my shame, He already did.I can’t see the Holy Spirit with my eyes, but I can feel Him. I feel His anointing pour over my head. His kiss on my forehead and His power, His gentleness, His magnificence. I feel clean, new, and alive.
4. Surrender Is Continuous
If you think surrender is a one-time thing, I’m here to tell you otherwise. As long as the enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), I’ve got to keep surrendering. Daily. Hourly, if I must. Some days I surrender my fears. Other days, it’s my pride. And sometimes, it’s the very same thing I gave up yesterday—because that’s how healing works. Surrender is a lifestyle. A rhythm. A dance between trust and obedience.
To You, My Readers, I want to take this moment to say thank you. Thank you for reading, for subscribing, for following this journey with me. If you’re new to Christ or have walked with Him for years, I want you to remember: Following Jesus is worth it. Loving Jesus is worth it. Fighting for your freedom in Him is worth it. And no matter how far you feel you’ve drifted, God’s mercy is new every morning. His grace is abundant. His love is eternal. Accept the free gift of salvation. Visualize Him holding His hands out, waiting for you. Run into His arms. Surrender it all—and watch Him transform what was once broken into something beautiful. May He bless you beyond what you could ever ask, think, or imagine. God bless you, my sisters and brothers in Christ.
With love and purpose,
MotivatingCreativity
💛 A Dedication to Art with Purpose
