What If Letting Go Is the Key to Your Breakthrough?

In 1 Samuel 1:9-18, we read about Hannah, a barren woman who desperately wanted to be a mother. She prayed for many years for a child, feeling depressed and constantly humiliated because of her infertility.

Surely, all those years in God's waiting room transformed Hannah’s heart. And then came the day when, in deep anguish, she prayed:

“And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11

I can imagine Hannah, year after year, praying for a child—dreaming of having him by her side throughout his childhood and teenage years. But one day, she decided to surrender this dream, offering her future child to the Lord.

How could she give to the Lord her dearest dream? How could she give up her son?

But she didn’t give up—she trusted the Lord. She knew her son was never truly hers. She had longed for this child and loved him as only a mother can, but her love for God was greater. She showed it by letting go of Samuel.

This passage teaches us to surrender everything to the Lord.

We must recognize that nothing we have belongs to us in the first place. I know of testimonies where a mother incessantly prayed to the Lord for healing and deliverance for her child. And after what seemed like no answer, she finally surrendered the child to the Lord, letting go—and the Lord healed them. Amazing how prayer changes us, rather than the other way around.

Hannah was blessed with her son Samuel and later had more children. Samuel became Israel’s greatest judge, a great prophet, and a counselor for the nation. Hannah’s one act of surrender led to years of goodness for her country.

What do you need to surrender to the Lord?

Is there anything occupying your heart other than Him? Maybe it’s a dream, your children, your marriage, your job. Pour out your heart to God. Weep to Him, beg Him for help, humble yourself before Him. 

"Dear God, today, I surrender everything to You, especially [name here what you want to surrender]. I recognize that Your plans are better than mine. Teach me to trust in You and in Your sovereignty. In Jesus' Name, Amen."