Thriving in the End-Times Through Surrender

1 John 4:17 — Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

God has a place of abiding for you wherein you will have boldness even in the day of judgment. The Apostle Paul walked here. You too, can have peace in the midst of anything that might ever happen.

No Fear

We live in days that are scary to many people. We seek to alleviate our fears in many ways such as:

• Overly focusing on the news of distressing world events.
• Sports addiction.
• Food addiction.
• Posting on Facebook.
• Even Biblical prophecy.

This was even true in 1700 when Madame Guyon wrote her autobiography:

“The revelations of things to come are also very dangerous. The Devil can counterfeit them. Frequently they raise false ideas, vain hopes, and frivolous expectations. They take up the mind with future events, hinder it from dying to self, and prevent it following Jesus Christ.”

The key to thriving in the end times is dying to self in order that God possess ever more of our hearts. 

A daily “Practicing His Presence” whereby He is ever more gaining first place in our hearts is our only comfort and sustenance.

Consider Paul, he didn’t fear what would happen in the end. He knew what awaited him in Jerusalem and went anyway. Paul walked in a deep surrender. He could abound or be abased, his contentment came from God’s presence.

Practicing His Presence

Practicing God’s presence will always involve surrender. The surrender fuels it. We embrace the cross daily to follow Him.

Matthew 16:24 —Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me,                      let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

How Do You Grow in Surrender?

You’ll never willingly go to prison for God if you can’t praise Him when little things don’t go your way. This can be challenging. Consider these questions:

Can I stay focused and submitted to God’s presence…

• When my flight is delayed?
• When finances are insufficient?
• When my spouse is in a bad mood?
• When people speak ill of me but I’ve done nothing to them?

Surrendering in little daily ways, staying focused on praise and thanksgiving even when everything goes wrong, brings growth. God’s presence becomes an ever increasing reality in our lives. Our surrender and obedience grow deeper.