Letting Go of Self

I have never met a person who didn’t, at some level, struggle with self-centeredness. We all want the universe to revolve around us! We all want our way, in our time, with our agenda, and for our gain.

If your response was, “I do not!” you may want to check the pronoun that sentence started with :) 

We are all convinced that the world would be a better place if there was more “me, myself, and I.”

One of the hardest parts of surrender is letting go of the word “my”—my desires, my pride, my need to be in control. There is something within me that resists yielding, that wants to protect my independence.

Jesus speaks directly to this struggle: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24, NIV)

Denying myself is not about self-hatred; it is about self-surrender. It is choosing to place God’s will above my own preferences. It is acknowledging that my life is not ultimately about me.

I have to confront the parts of me that resist God’s leadership—my habits, my attitudes, my impulses, and, almost always, my words! Surrender means I no longer justify everything I want; instead, I submit everything I am to God.

This is not a one-time event. It is a continual process of laying myself down before God and inviting Him to shape me.

Letting go of “self” opens the door for God to transform me from the inside out. This decision allows His truth to replace my assumptions, His purposes to replace my plans, and His love to redefine my identity.

The choice is clear. Will you allow God to direct all of your steps today? Will you choose HIM over YOU? Let’s pray together:

God, I surrender my self-centeredness to You. I lay down my pride, my desires, and my need for control. Help me to deny myself and follow You faithfully. Transform my heart so that I reflect Your will above my own. Teach me to live not for myself, but for You. Amen.

Never forget, my friend—

You are a miracle!