What Does It Mean To Be Carried?

We often treat the concept of surrender like a finish line. A one-time, definitive conversation where we declare, "I gave it up to God," and everything is suddenly neat and tidy. But in reality, surrender is rarely a singular event.

If we are honest with ourselves, the things that require our surrender are often the toughest, most tangled threads in our lives. We are faced with decisions, fears, and doubts that we desperately try to manage and control. Yet, perhaps the first step toward surrendering is simply being honest about the state of our own hearts.

The Honesty of the "Not-Yet" Faith

God is not intimidated by our issues, our doubts, or our complicated choices. He is not shocked by where we are. In fact, one of the most powerful examples of surrender in the Bible is a confession of imperfect faith.

In Mark 9, we read the story of a father whose son was tormented by a spirit. Desperate for relief, the father brings his boy to Jesus, asking, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

Jesus, in His wisdom, highlights the father's language of doubt, prompting him to confront the truth of his belief. The father’s response is a raw surrender:

"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'"

(Mark 9:24 NIV)

Don’t miss this. Faced with the Son of God, this man chooses complete honesty. He confessed he believed, but not fully. He didn't try to look like he had it all together or offer a tidy, perfect faith statement. He came clean about his struggle. And what was Jesus’ response? He didn't rebuke the man; He validated his honesty and immediately healed the son.

Surrender, then, is not about mustering up perfect faith. It starts with choice to accept the truth of our circumstance and the genuine messiness within us, laying it out before the only One who can help.

Letting Go of the Wheel We Never Held

Our desire for control can become a consuming habit if left unchecked. We grip the wheel of our lives tightly, believing we are responsible for navigating all the big, scary, swirling scenarios.

But the truth is, we have far less control than we think.

Often, the most freeing moment of surrender is the realization that we never truly held the wheel at all. We cannot heal our children, make the paycheck magically increase, or chart a perfect course for the future. The most vulnerable and loving act we can perform is to stop clutching these precious pieces of life and instead offer them up.

That daily choice to release our grip shifts our focus from our limited capability to His limitless capacity.

What It Means To Be Carried

If surrender is letting go of our own strength, then being "carried" is about resting in His. The greatest comfort in this process is knowing that the One to whom we surrender is not a frustrated, unknowing deity, but a compassionate Father who has already guaranteed our provision and protection.

Dwell on this comforting promise from the prophet Isaiah:

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

(Isaiah 46:4)

This is our God. He started this whole thing when He made you, and He will finish it. He promises to carry you, to sustain you, and to rescue you. There is no safer space to relinquish your supposed control and confess your deepest needs and fears.

To be carried is to recognize that we are built for rest. When we stop exhausting ourselves in the fight for control, we create space for quiet contemplation and prayer.

Surrender is a process that requires daily grace. Instead of being hard on yourself for having to continuously surrender, let's look back at His faithfulness.

Take a moment to sit with the truth of Isaiah 46:4 and ask yourself:

1. How have you seen God sustain you in the past few seasons?

2. What is one instance in your life where you can clearly see that God has carried you through a scenario?

3. How does looking back at those consistent acts of faithfulness give you the ability to trust Him with your present struggle today?

Until next time,
Kelsey
Owner of Wonderfully Made Gifting Company

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The ideas and inspiration for this post came straight from my heart. I love exploring faith and encouraging you to wonder. However, writing isn't exactly my superpower. So, to help bring these thoughts to life in a way that truly connects with you, I use AI as a writing assistant. My hope is always that the message resonates and encourages you on your journey.