Why is it so hard for us to give up? Maybe it’s because since we were very little, the world has told us that surrender represents weakness. For this reason, every day we continue to fight a battle that takes another bite out of our soul. Unfortunately for some of us, we become so stubborn that we accept the fact that living a miserable life is better than giving up or changing.

This is no way to live, I promise you. I believe that when you are confused and frustrated with the situation in your life, the pain that you are feeling is a clear sign that it is time to rethink your direction, perhaps choose a different path. God is telling you that what you are doing or trying to do is not working and that the only way out is to give up.

Think about it, let’s say you are walking down a hallway and at the end of the hall is a brick wall. For some of us who are stubborn, we spend the next few days, months, and even years banging our heads against that brick wall, telling ourselves that we’ll get through it soon. Meanwhile, we continue to have headaches day after day. The easiest thing would be to give up, stop and start over. I know, easier said than done.

Or is that it? In my experience, it’s actually quite easy to give up and find a better way. It is the first step that is always the most difficult. Once you’ve decided that the life you’re living or the situation you’re in is daunting, stop and say a prayer of surrender. It may sound something like this. “Dear Lord, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired, please make my life and I turn in a direction where my back is against the brick wall and my face is looking at you, AMEN.” And that’s it, done! What happens next will change your life forever.

Surrender can occur in both small and large situations. Here’s a funny story that happened to me this morning. I was trying to get my son out the door in time for school and just as he was leaving he said he couldn’t find his track uniform for his track meet later today. I told him that I had washed everything and that it had to be somewhere in the house. We spread out for the next 10 minutes, flipping drawers and beds upside down, to no avail. That’s when I told him to get in his car and go to school. I said, “Son, I’ll make sure you have a uniform before today’s competition.” He agreed and left. At that moment, I gave up. Before then, I had been frustrated and knew I had to let it go. Once I did, many solutions to the problem began to flow into my head. I emailed your coach and a new uniform will be waiting for you when you get to school. Thank goodness for the gift of surrender, otherwise I could have ruined my day with guilt, fear, and frustration. Not only did I not have to go through it, but my son didn’t have to put up with it either.

Listen when I say that we all have something we fear to change. We feel that giving up would be a sign of failure. Who wants to start over? I understand! But please take some time today and really take a look at what is keeping you from being who God wants you to be in your life. Say a prayer and ask for the strength to surrender and the faith to start over. You are never too old or too young to give up. Life is so much more enjoyable when we stop trying to get through that dead end: the brick wall with our heads. You are a wonderful child of God and you deserve to live your best life! The choice is within.