Embracing Surrender: Finding God in Life's Challenges

 

Summary

In today's conversation, we explored the profound journey of surrendering our lives to God, especially in the face of unexpected challenges. Tyler Ston, a pastor from Bridgetown Church, shared his personal experience of being diagnosed with cancer and how it became a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey. Initially diagnosed with stage 1A cancer, Tyler faced a more severe diagnosis later, which required aggressive treatment. This unexpected turn of events forced him to confront the fragility of life and the illusion of control we often hold onto.

Tyler's journey was marked by a deep spiritual formation, as he learned to submit to circumstances beyond his control. He described this period as both the hardest and most spiritually formative year of his life. Through this experience, Tyler discovered two primary ways of spiritual formation: through practice and submission. While practice involves the habits we choose, submission requires us to accept the circumstances we cannot change, allowing God to work through them.

Tyler's story is a testament to the power of surrender and the profound love of God that can be experienced even in the midst of suffering. He shared how he had to let go of his desire for control and allow God to work in his life, likening it to lying still on a surgeon's table while God performed deep soul work. This surrender led to moments of encountering God's love through the people around him, revealing a deeper understanding of grace and love.

Ultimately, Tyler's journey reminds us that surrendering to God is not a passive act but an active choice to trust in His presence and love. It is through this surrender that we can experience true spiritual growth and transformation.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Illusion of Control: Life often presents us with unexpected challenges that shatter our illusion of control. Tyler's cancer diagnosis forced him to confront the fragility of life and the need to surrender to God's will. This surrender is not passive but an active choice to trust in God's presence and love. [06:07]

2. Spiritual Formation through Submission: Tyler's journey highlighted the importance of submission in spiritual formation. While we can choose our practices, submission involves accepting circumstances beyond our control and allowing God to work through them. This submission can lead to profound spiritual growth. [10:00]

3. Experiencing God's Love in Weakness: In moments of weakness, when we cannot rely on our own strength, we can experience God's love in profound ways. Tyler's experience of being loved by his congregation during his illness revealed the depth of God's grace and love for him, beyond his abilities or accomplishments. [14:31]

4. Daily Surrender: Surrendering to God is a daily choice, especially in the face of challenges. Tyler found that each day required a renewed decision to trust God, and in doing so, he experienced God's gentle presence and support. This daily surrender is a journey of faith and trust. [19:56]

5. God's Presence in Suffering: Even in the valley of the shadow of death, God's presence is with us. Tyler's story is a reminder that it is not our faith or character that sustains us, but God's presence. This assurance allows us to surrender our lives and wills to Him, trusting in His love and guidance. [21:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:05] - Introduction to Tyler Ston
- [02:34] - Exploring Spiritual Growth
- [03:21] - Tyler's Health Journey
- [04:31] - Facing Advanced Cancer
- [06:07] - The Illusion of Control
- [07:37] - Initial Reactions and Prayers
- [09:07] - Spiritual Formation in Hardship
- [10:00] - Practice and Submission
- [11:30] - Surrendering to God's Will
- [12:49] - The Need for Spiritual Surgery
- [14:31] - Experiencing God's Love
- [16:32] - Struggling with God's Love
- [18:26] - Daily Surrender
- [21:15] - God's Presence in Suffering

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 128: "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him."
2. Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
3. Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Tyler Ston's initial reaction to his cancer diagnosis, and how did it change over time? [07:56]
2. How did Tyler describe the connection between the hardest year of his life and the most spiritually formative year? [09:22]
3. What are the two primary ways Tyler mentioned that we are spiritually formed in discipleship to Jesus? [10:00]
4. How did Tyler experience God's love through his congregation during his illness? [14:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Tyler's story illustrate the concept of the "illusion of control" in our lives? [06:07]
2. In what ways did Tyler's experience of illness lead to a deeper understanding of submission in spiritual formation? [10:23]
3. How does Tyler's journey reflect the idea that God's presence, rather than our own strength, sustains us in times of suffering? [21:15]
4. What does Tyler's experience teach us about the importance of daily surrender to God? [19:56]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced an unexpected challenge. How did it affect your perception of control in your life? How might you surrender that control to God?
2. Tyler found spiritual growth through submission to circumstances beyond his control. What current situation in your life might require a similar submission?
3. Tyler experienced God's love through his community during his illness. How can you be a conduit of God's love to someone in your community who is struggling?
4. Daily surrender was a key part of Tyler's journey. What practical steps can you take to make surrendering to God a daily practice in your life?
5. Tyler's story emphasizes God's presence in suffering. How can you remind yourself of God's presence during difficult times?
6. Consider the idea of spiritual surgery that Tyler mentioned. Are there areas in your life where you need to "lie still" and allow God to work deeply within you?
7. Tyler's journey involved letting go of the desire for control. What specific area of your life do you need to release control over to experience God's peace and guidance?

Devotional

Day 1: The Illusion of Control
Life often presents us with unexpected challenges that shatter our illusion of control. When faced with such moments, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the need to surrender to a higher power. This surrender is not a passive act but an active choice to trust in the presence and love of God. By acknowledging that we are not in control, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing divine guidance and support. This realization can be both humbling and liberating, as it allows us to let go of our anxieties and place our trust in something greater than ourselves. [06:07]

Jeremiah 10:23-24 (ESV): "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to relinquish control? How can you actively choose to trust God with this area today?


Day 2: Spiritual Formation through Submission
Spiritual growth often occurs through the practice of submission, where we accept circumstances beyond our control and allow God to work through them. This form of spiritual formation requires humility and a willingness to let go of our own plans and desires. By submitting to God's will, we open ourselves to profound spiritual growth and transformation. This process can be challenging, as it involves surrendering our own understanding and trusting in God's greater plan. However, it is through this submission that we can experience true spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with God. [10:00]

James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice submission in your daily life? Consider a specific situation where you can let go of your own plans and trust in God's guidance.


Day 3: Experiencing God's Love in Weakness
In moments of weakness, when we cannot rely on our own strength, we can experience God's love in profound ways. It is often during these times that we become more aware of God's grace and love for us, beyond our abilities or accomplishments. By embracing our vulnerability, we allow ourselves to be open to the love and support of those around us, revealing the depth of God's grace. This experience can lead to a deeper understanding of God's love and a greater appreciation for the community of believers who support us in our times of need. [14:31]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment of weakness or vulnerability. How did you experience God's love through others during that time, and how can you express gratitude for that support today?


Day 4: Daily Surrender
Surrendering to God is a daily choice, especially in the face of challenges. Each day requires a renewed decision to trust in God's presence and love. This daily surrender is a journey of faith and trust, where we actively choose to let go of our fears and anxieties and place our trust in God's hands. By making this choice each day, we can experience God's gentle presence and support, even in the midst of life's difficulties. This practice of daily surrender can lead to a deeper sense of peace and assurance in God's love and guidance. [19:56]

Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'"

Reflection: What is one specific fear or anxiety you can surrender to God today? How can you remind yourself to make this choice of surrender each morning?


Day 5: God's Presence in Suffering
Even in the valley of the shadow of death, God's presence is with us. It is not our faith or character that sustains us, but God's presence. This assurance allows us to surrender our lives and wills to Him, trusting in His love and guidance. In times of suffering, we can find comfort in knowing that we are not alone and that God's presence is with us, providing strength and hope. This understanding can transform our perspective on suffering, allowing us to see it as an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. [21:15]

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV): "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence during a difficult situation. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's love and faithfulness?

Quotes

"Life often presents us with unexpected challenges that shatter our illusion of control. Tyler's cancer diagnosis forced him to confront the fragility of life and the need to surrender to God's will. This surrender is not passive but an active choice to trust in God's presence and love." [00:06:07]

"It seems to me that there are two primary ways that we are spiritually formed in discipleship to Jesus and one is by our practice and the other by our submission. So our practice would be all of the habits I choose that shape and form the over time and our submission would be the circumstances of my life that I do not choose but can submit to as the conditions through which my soul can be formed." [00:09:59]

"I guess I felt like I had a choice to Buck and fight against the circumstances I was facing that I would never choose um and that can look like denial it can look like trying to continue going at exactly the same Pace it can look a thousand different ways but to essentially kick against the Gos in the language of the Apostle Paul or say okay Lord this is the hand I've been dealt." [00:10:37]

"Even what the enemy intends for evil you can use for good if I am willing to put it in your hands um and so I tried to say, Okay God here's this window of my life I don't know how long it will be but will you do things in me that you cannot do when I'm in normal operating mode during this unique window." [00:11:27]

"There are times when we are sick and we need a prescription like you need to take some pills as you keep living and these pills are going to help uh sort out the virus that is within you or the Strand that is within you and there's other times that you're sick and you just need to lie still on the surgeon's table while he works on you with his scalpel." [00:11:47]

"I was exposed in in front of God and the church in all of my weakness and I needed not to lead but to be led and I needed not to love but to be loved and the experiences that I had of God's love for me mediated through the people in my congregation who companioned me through uh six months of chemotherapy were unforgettable." [00:14:31]

"There were moments of encountering the living presence of Jesus through his people loving me for my being not my doing in ways that were taking little broken pieces of my soul and little lies the serpent had whispered that were still Tangled Up In Me and detangling the lies and piecing back together pieces of my soul and helping me come alive to his love and mercy not my competency." [00:14:56]

"I think that I had to make a a threshold decision to surrender and submit to the circumstances that I was facing as the perfect place for Jesus to find me and to heal me at first so I had to maybe set my intent to put it in in the Willard them language of vision intention and means I had to set my intent up front." [00:18:26]

"Every single day there were impulses in me that wanted to grab back for control over my life which in the midst of chemotherapy looked for me and my personality makeup and everything like I wanted every day to reach back for the life I had before my diagnosis I wanted to feel like I did them then I wanted to go on a run in the morning like I did then." [00:19:56]

"Every day I think I had to make a choice to Res surrender all over again that day and sometimes several times a day but what I also found was that God was very gentle with me in making those decisions to surrender he wasn't aloof and far off with his arms crossed seeing if I would choose him again today." [00:20:56]

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me he is with you and he is with me and it's his presence and not our faith or anything inside of our character that enables us to say I will go with you I will turn my life and my will over to you." [00:21:15]

"The prayer God your will be done my life my will in your hands and we're on that journey together keep coming back it works if you work it Tyler I'm so grateful thank you so much absolutely hey you just finished a video from our series steps which is based on John's new book releasing February 4th by the same name steps." [00:21:57]

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Transcript
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