To surrender the soul; an often difficult yet vital aspect of growth and contentment. The human soul is the God-given mind, will, and emotions that uniquely make up each individual. For the Christian yogi, the concept of surrender seems to be intertwined with daily yoga practice, though it can be easy for the soul to wander.
The Miriam Webster Dictionary defines surrender as an action: To yield or give up power, control or possession, especially as a prisoner or in favor of another.[i]
Surrender looks different in different spheres of life, because the object of surrender determines the result. To surrender the soul over to appetites, desires, material things, or the landscape of what if’s, is to give over authority to fear, anxiety, and a yearning for fulfillment that can never be achieved. Even on the mat, surrender must be centered on Jesus. The only path to true surrender accompanied by peace and contentment is for one to surrender the soul fully to the Heavenly Father. What a beautiful trio woven together with the body and spirit; all yoked together with Christ in a holy union.
It’s intriguing that surrender is defined for the individual as a prisoner, to relinquish all in favor of another. As a Christian, this means one yields to the power and authority of the Holy Spirit through relationship with Jesus as He empowers freedom. No longer prisoner to self, sin, or other people, the surrendered person lives in harmony with Father God through the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
But is it that easy? How can surrender be measured, and what does it look like? Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 NASB). In the simplest terms, Jesus called His followers to raise up themselves [their own power, control, and ownership] to the cross [the finished work of Jesus] and yield fully to the authority of Jesus. That means a focus that is not on self.
It is an intentional submission to God’s way of doing life in every area. A surrendered life is marked by the spiritual disciplines that draw the Christian near to the Father: daily prayer, study and time in God’s word, a lifestyle of spiritual fasting, healthy stewardship in all areas from health to finances, and a constant pursuit of spiritual growth. This is a lifelong process that happens in steps and stages; where surrender to Christ is the medium in which growth takes place.
One surefire watermark to assess surrender is the role of anxiety. While everyone experiences anxiety from time to time—and some more than others—a life controlled by anxiety is almost always a symptom of an un-surrendered soul. Anxiety should not be in charge. Rather, the Holy Spirit should be.
Anxiety can manifest in many different ways, and the source can be physiological, psychological, or spiritual; and almost always it is a combination of all three. Mind, body, and spirit—the three must be yoked together with Christ.
To look only at self with thoughts surrounded by one’s needs, desires, and feelings focuses on deficiencies opposed to gratitude. This is where the soul must surrender. Gratitude is a yielding of the soul. Physiologically, gratitude is the antithesis of anxiety, as the Limbic System does not have the capacity to maintain both simultaneously.[ii][iii] Psychologically, gratitude is a choice, and spiritually an act of surrender—God’s will for His child. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV) Focus with gratitude on the person and character of Jesus and God’s immeasurable love for His children, and the rest will follow. Obsession is another watermark for the un-surrendered soul. When obsession is present, peace cannot be. Regardless of the object of obsession, it always indicates a spiritual misalignment. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
To surrender obsession is always to redirect focus to the Lord. Whether it be work, relationships, fears, desires, or anything in-between, one must remove that which is on the throne of the heart and allow the Lord to reside in His rightful place…in charge. The mind redirects, the will chooses where to focus, and emotions follow. Here is where the soul finds peace. On and off the mat, surrender to Christ is vital.
“He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:9 NLT)
Surrendering the soul check-up
Ask yourself the following questions and prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction as you choose surrender. Remember, Godly conviction does not condemn or shame. Rather, it highlights and directs in love and peace. 1. Am I taking time each week to engage in a Sabbath rest that honors God? 2. Am I spending time in God’s word every day? 3. Am I taking the time each day to practice gratitude? 4. Are there other believers in my life that I’m intentionally accountable to? 5. Are there people, circumstances, desires, fears, thoughts, or ideas I find myself obsessing over? 6. Are there areas of my life I am willfully choosing to engage in sin? 7. Have I made spiritual fasting focused on drawing near to God a regular part of my Christian walk?
[i] Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Surrender, In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved 8/19/2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surrender [ii] Allen, S. (2018, May). The Science of Gratitude. Retrieved August 20, 2025 from from https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf [iii] Chowdhury, M.H., & Smith, W., (2019, April). The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain. Retrieved August 20, 2025 from https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude
Leah Lynn is a passionate yogi and wellness expert with a heartfelt cry to inspire people toward a deeper relationship with Christ. To dive deeper into the sphere of surrender, you can find her book, Surrendered and Free, and others at leahlynn.net.
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