I am a woman of extremes.
There are moments in life when I think I can do it all. I’ve got this! I can grab that infamous tiger by the tail, climb a daunting mountain or two and skip through the wilderness without even raising a sweat. I can accomplish all of that and more while wearing a fabulous shade of lipstick!
Then there are times when I become a weeping puddle of instability and weakness. I feel like an utter failure and am sure I will never get out of bed again. My heart is broken, and I believe my life will never make a difference for Christ and His kingdom.
A vibrant, “I’ve got this!” followed by a whining, “I can’t do this!” is often the theme song of my life.
The Lord has shown me recently that the constitution of my heart is extremely similar to that of David’s—the giant-killer, the songwriter, the shepherd boy and the king. If I am at all like the unforgettable David, then I am in good company.
“Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than me. Bring my soul out of prison” (Ps. 142:6-7a).
David cried out to God in His weakness. He admitted that He was unable to contend with his enemies in life. David was at an all-time low and threw himself into the arms and mercies of God.
Our enemies may look and sound differently than David’s, but they are enemies just the same. You might face the enemy of depression, of financial strain or of horrible health issues.
I have been there where David was; have you? I have experienced moments in life so raw and so fierce that I knew I was quickly going under. I saw no way for escape, and I knew of no human strategy for victory.
What did David do next? What did David do when life was crashing in around him?
“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me” (Ps. 142:7).
When David resorted to praise, everything changed for him! He became a force to be reckoned with and knew God’s goodness would prevail.
There is a tension between overcoming positivity and undeniable weakness. The sweet spot that exists between the two is called surrender.
Surrender lies between “I’ve got this!” and “I can’t do this!”
When I surrender my plans, my gifts and my time to the Lord, my humanity is overcome by who He is.
When I surrender my weakness, my instability and all of my failures to the Father, it is then that strength floods in, and I become a vessel of His promises and His power.
So today is a day of surrender for me. Surrender is the most verdant and luscious valley in which I have ever stepped foot. Surrender is the pinnacle of achievement, and it is grace in the wilderness.
Surrender turns “I’ve got this” into “He’s got this!”
Surrender transforms “I can’t do this!” into “Oh! But He can!” {eoa}
Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written 10 books, including The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart; Defiant Joy!; Holy Estrogen!; No More Ordinary; Refined; Joy For All Seasons; Let There Be Joy!; Pass the Joy, Please!; Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue; and Stormproof, which releases on March 1, 2019. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol’s “Jolt of Joy” program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at carolmcleodministries.com.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett 
