This article is part of a yearlong series exploring one foundational biblical word each month. This month, we are focusing on SURRENDER. Subscribe to the Sunday Morning Newsletter and catch up on the entire series at amac.us/faith .
Many years ago, my wife and I sat down together and asked this question: If there is one Bible verse we could engrave on the hearts and minds of our four children, what would it be?
We wanted to find a “Family Verse” that would shape their entire lives – not just a comforting promise, but a guiding principle for walking with God. After praying and talking it through, we chose Proverbs 3:5-6. Later, we had that verse engraved on the covers of the Bibles we gave each of them.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).
These two verses have become far more than a family motto for us. Over the years, I’ve come to believe they offer one of the clearest biblical definitions of surrender. Let’s walk through them together.
Trust as the Starting Point
Surrender begins with trusting in the Lord with all your heart. This is much more than slapping on a Christian label or offering up the occasional acknowledgment when things are going well. It is an all-your-heart decision to believe that God is who He says He is – Creator of the universe, all-knowing, all-seeing, sovereign, and perfectly loving, good, and just.
And if we believe all of those things to be true of Him, the next line is the only response that makes sense: “Lean not on your own understanding.”
This is where surrender gets real. Leaning on our own understanding means depending on our limited wisdom, our desires, our plans, or our “but I want…” reasoning. Practically speaking, it is the opposite of surrender. And as I’ve learned the hard way, it is often foolish – even dangerous.
I earned a master’s degree from the school of hard knocks by leaning heavily on my own understanding. The results were painful – for my life, my relationships, and my future. Eventually, I came to a simple realization: I am not God. He is. And if I truly believe that, why would I keep insisting on steering my own life?
In All Your Ways
Notice the little word “all.” Surrender is not selective. It is not “in some of your ways submit to Him.” It is in all your ways.
Some translations use the word acknowledge rather than submit. We are to acknowledge Him in life’s biggest decisions and its smallest details. It means holding our plans with open hands instead of clenched fists. It means coming to Him first instead of waiting until our own plans have failed.
The world screams at us to trust our feelings, our ambitions, or the wisdom of the culture. But true freedom and direction come when we surrender by acknowledging that the Creator of the universe knows the path better than we do.
A Straight Path
The closing promise of these verses forces us to examine our own faith. Do we truly believe that if we trust Him and submit to Him in all our ways, He will make our paths straight?
The promise of a straight path does not mean life will be easy or that every road will feel straight in the moment. But God promises He will direct our steps and make our paths straight as we trust and acknowledge Him. His path is not always the easiest, but it is always the safest and best.
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: Trusting God is not always the easiest thing. In fact, the right thing to do is often the hard thing to do. But I have learned that the consequences of trusting God and following His ways are far better than the consequences of leaning on my own understanding.
The Lifelong Practice
Like every other aspect of surrender, this is a daily, lifelong journey. I am still learning it. There are days when my old self wants to grab control again. But I’ve seen enough of God’s faithfulness – and enough of my own failures – to know that leaning on Him is always better.
If you are facing uncertainty in your career, your family, your finances, your health, or the future of our nation, hear the wisdom of this Proverb again. Refuse to lean on your own understanding. Trust the Lord with all your heart. Acknowledge Him in all your ways.
You may not see every turn in the road ahead, but you can trust the One who does. He has never failed His people, and He will faithfully direct your path.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Word and for the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6. Forgive me for the times I have leaned on my own understanding instead of trusting You. I confess that I am not God – you are.
Today, I surrender my life into Your hands. Help me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and follow wherever You lead, even when it is difficult.
In the name of Jesus, who perfectly surrendered to the Father’s will, Amen.
Daily Scripture Readings
Monday – Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust the Lord with all your heart.
Tuesday – Psalm 32:8
God promises to instruct and guide those who trust Him.
Wednesday – James 4:13-17
Don’t make plans without seeking God’s will.
Thursday – Proverbs 16:9
We make plans, but the Lord directs our steps.
Friday – Isaiah 55:8-9
God’s wisdom is far above our own.
Saturday – Psalm 37:3-7
Commit your way to the Lord and trust Him.
Jonathan Griffin is the Director of Advertising & Partner Development at AMAC and a former pastor with a passion for biblical teaching. He lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with his wife and their two pups, Hank and Kirby.
This Country has been doing the opposite of what this verse says we must do, this is why we are in the mess that we are in. One more thing, I believe that God controls President Trump, his words, very strongly indicate this.
Jonathan, thanks for adding the scripture back.
A heartfelt thank you for the reminder.
This verse sat in my office after college.
The power of this proverb is incredibly true. Three decades to realize, it is the best on many levels.
Excellent article. “Thank You” for sharing that. Reg’lar folks, like myself, need to hear/read thoughts like this a little more often than they do, or think they do….
I’ve never considered a family verse. Thanks for the idea & sharing yours.
Excellent. God is Wonderful!
I am enjoying these so much! Please keep them coming.
Thank you. I will subscribe and get caught up. Love that AMAC offers this wonderful guidance. God bless us all. Miss Maggie
Beautiful, thank you!
I needed to read this today had knee replacement Mon. I know for sure he has had he in his arms. It’s been rough but it still no where close to His pain to beat death. So thankful for your Sunday morning newsletter. By the way my Mother told me that was my great Granny’s favorite verses. Love ya