Faith, Hope, and Surrender
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
In two years, my family experienced several deaths, one after another. I found myself in the pit of despair for some time. It seemed my remaining family members would see each other at one funeral, and then within weeks, we would learn of another member’s passing. The process would repeat: mourning, making arrangements, and tending to all the details we face when a loved one goes to Heaven.
Following these deaths, other bad news continued in the form of incurable health conditions, legal battles, and financial troubles for members of my family. These events lead me to think about faith, hope, and surrender. I struggled as you might have in a time of deep trials.
In the Old Testament account of Job, we see that God allowed many tragedies to befall Job very suddenly. Job lost his wealth and family and was then burdened with illness. Job’s friends were certain Job had committed significant sins, and God punished him with tragedies. Job insisted he was innocent and that he believed in God. Job did not believe his suffering meant he was being punished.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” 1 Peter 5:10
A more recent story of loss and tragedy occurred to Horatio Gates Spafford. He lost a son, his property, and resources, and then he lost his remaining four daughters on a sinking ship. His wife was spared from drowining at sea. Why is this a measure of faith? He kept his faith and soon wrote the song “It is Well With My Soul.”
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Jame 1:2-4
How does one do this? In such despair, these are examples of strong faith. Spafford’s wife, who survived the shipwreck when her daughters did not, later said she knew God spared her life for a reason. She and her husband later lived and ministered in Jerusalem.
Job held on to his faith and surrendered to God. He later prospered and is an example of steadfast faith and a blessed life after tragedies.
What comes first? Faith, hope, or surrender? I have pondered this, and it may happen differently for each of us. For me, it is clear. Like Job and the Spaffords, I had faith first. Keeping faith is easy when life is wonderful. But what happens when life deals one blow after another, then another, and still another? In the account of Job, his friends were convinced Job must have fallen away from God, which is why he was having trouble. But he insisted he had not lost faith. The Staffords kept their faith and knew God’s ways were beyond their understanding. In both cases, their faith was their support, and soon God made known their purpose. God had spared their lives so they would help His kingdom.
Now, for surrender. When does that happen? If one has faith during tragedy, surrender will happen. It is only after the surrender that one can feel hope again. That is the sequence that makes sense for me. Surrender to God’s purpose. Some might call this “acceptance.” I do not think that is true because acceptance means one says, “It happened, I know it, move on.” Acceptance is not total surrender to God’s purpose. Surrender means, “I give it all to You, God. You will determine what happens and what my purpose will be. I cannot change these events. I surrender to You.” This brings peace. It is not in our control but we can rest knowing it is in His. He will decide. He will support us.
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” Psalm 31:14
And with surrender, you can have hope once again. I do.
Here I am, God. Waiting for my purpose. You are my strength.
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