Surrender to Christ...A Step by Step Guide

He Gave All, Will We Receive All

A Step-by-Step Guide to Surrendering to Christ

Surrendering to Christ is the most transformative decision you will ever make. It’s a journey of letting go of self-reliance and fully trusting in Jesus. This surrender is not about losing control but about gaining true freedom in Him. If you feel the call to surrender your heart and life to Christ, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you walk in faith and obedience.

In his book Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, Dr. David R. Hawkins discusses how our attachments and resistance create suffering. When we apply this to our spiritual journey, we realize that surrendering to Christ means releasing our fears, pride, and control to embrace His divine will. Similarly, C. S. Lewis teaches that surrendering to Christ is not merely about giving up our sins but yielding our entire being to Him, allowing His grace to transform us completely. Deepak Chopra adds another dimension by emphasizing mindfulness, inner stillness, and releasing ego-based resistance, which align with biblical surrender.

1. Recognize Your Need for Christ

The first step in surrendering to Christ is acknowledging that you need Him. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are all broken and in need of a Savior. David R. Hawkins describes how resistance to truth creates suffering and how letting go of our illusions allows us to embrace higher truths. Likewise, C. S. Lewis explains that true joy and fulfillment come when we acknowledge our insufficiency and allow Christ to be the center of our lives.

Action Step:

Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal areas in your life where you are trying to be in control instead of trusting Him. Consider journaling about the fears and attachments you struggle to release. Deepak Chopra suggests practicing self-inquiry: ask yourself, "Who am I without this fear?" Meditate on the truth that true peace is found not in controlling outcomes but in trusting Christ’s perfect plan.

2. Repent and Turn Away from Sin

Surrendering to Christ requires repentance—a change of heart that leads to a change of actions. True repentance isn’t just feeling guilty but turning away from sin and toward God’s way. Hawkins explains that holding onto guilt and shame prevents true surrender, whereas genuine repentance allows us to let go of the emotional weight sin creates. C. S. Lewis emphasizes that we must abandon the illusion of self-sufficiency and admit that only God can truly change us.

Action Step:

Confess your sins before God (1 John 1:9). Ask for His forgiveness and strength to turn away from anything that separates you from Him. Chopra teaches that breath awareness can help release guilt and negative emotions. Take deep breaths, acknowledging your past mistakes, and visualize God’s grace filling your heart with peace.

3. Rely on Christ as Your Redeemer

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins. When we place our trust in Him, we receive His grace and salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Lewis argues that faith in Christ is not merely intellectual belief but an act of surrender—trusting Him completely with our past, present, and future. Hawkins notes that true surrender occurs when we stop resisting and fully embrace the love and peace available to us.

Action Step:

If you have never accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, take a moment to pray and invite Him into your heart. Chopra advises practicing gratitude to enhance faith. Start by listing three things you are grateful for about Christ’s presence in your life, shifting your mindset toward trust and surrender.

4. Submit Your Will to God

Surrendering to Christ means letting go of your plans, desires, and control. Jesus modeled this in Luke 22:42 when He prayed, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Hawkins discusses how resistance to God’s will creates suffering, and Lewis teaches that true peace comes when we stop fighting against Him and trust His perfect plan.

Action Step:

Daily surrender your plans, ambitions, and struggles to God in prayer. Ask Him to guide your steps and trust His plans over your own. Chopra recommends incorporating silent meditation to quiet the mind. Sit in silence for 10 minutes, allowing God’s presence to lead your thoughts and decisions.

5. Develop a Relationship with Christ

A surrendered life is one that continually seeks Christ. This means growing in your relationship with Him through prayer, reading Scripture, worship, and fellowship with other believers. Hawkins describes how true surrender leads to inner peace, and Lewis teaches that developing a close relationship with God is the key to true fulfillment.

Action Step:

Commit to reading the Bible daily. Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to learn more about Jesus’ life and teachings. Chopra suggests setting a daily intention before reading scripture, such as, "Today, I will open my heart to Christ’s wisdom." This can create a deeper spiritual experience.

6. Walk in Obedience

True surrender is demonstrated through obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments."Lewis emphasizes that obedience is not just following rules but loving and trusting God enough to do what He asks. Hawkins points out that resisting obedience often stems from fear, which we can release through surrender.

Action Step:

Identify an area in your life where God is calling you to obedience. Let go of any fear or resistance and take a step toward obedience today. Chopra recommends using affirmations like "I trust God’s plan for my life" to reprogram your mindset.

7. Rely on the Holy Spirit

God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us live a surrendered life. The Holy Spirit guides, convicts, and empowers us to walk in God’s will.

Action Step:

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart daily. Chopra teaches that mindfulness enhances spiritual awareness. As you go through your day, pause and ask, "Holy Spirit, what do You want me to learn in this moment?"

8. Live by Faith, Not by Sight

Surrendering to Christ means trusting Him even when you don’t understand His plans. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."

Action Step:

Whenever doubt or fear creeps in, declare God’s promises over your life. Chopra recommends using visualization: picture yourself in God’s hands, completely safe and guided.

Surrendering to Christ is the key to true peace, joy, and purpose. As Hawkins, Lewis, and Chopra all emphasize, surrender is about letting go of resistance and embracing the love and power of Christ. Are you ready to let go and let God lead?