Surrendered to His Love: Embracing Submission Through God's Love

I used to ache with confusion and fear about what submission meant in marriage. In my past marriage I felt pressured to obey and wondered if my worth depended on pleasing others. Emotionally and spiritually I struggled, feeling unloved and misunderstood. Over time, I turned to prayer and Scripture and discovered a kinder truth: submission is never meant to be forced. Instead, it flows out of the deep love that Jesus pours into our hearts.

My Struggle with Submission

For years I wrestled with questions like, “Am I failing God if I won’t obey my husband completely?” I remember feeling broken when submission was demanded without love. I obeyed outwardly, but inside I was hurting – my confidence shaken and my heart guarded. One night I cried out to God, feeling lost and alone. In that darkness, I sensed Him reminding me of who He truly is: a Father who loves me unconditionally.

God’s Love Brings Clarity

Slowly God’s Word began to heal my pain. I opened my Bible and read 1 John 4:10: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” In that verse I realized submission isn’t about proving ourselves; it’s about responding to God’s initiating love.

I was reminded again in Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even when I felt unworthy, Jesus gave His life to show me I am valued. This truth sank deep: if God loved me at my worst, I can trust Him with every broken piece of my heart.

Learning to Love and Respect

Through healing, I began to understand what healthy submission looks like. The Bible calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

Submission must be inspired by love, not demanded. Colossians 3:18-19 adds: “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

When I first read that, I felt God’s tenderness through His words. I realized submission isn’t about weakness or being bossed around – it’s about partnership under Christ’s guidance.

Hope for the Heartbroken

To any sister who feels hurt or broken by past or current relationships, please hear this: Jesus sees your tears. He loves you more than you can imagine. His love is patient and kind – it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Even when people have let you down, Jesus laid down His life for you. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” He knows pain intimately and can bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

Devotional Questions

• Where have I felt unloved or pressured in my relationships? How might God’s love (Romans 5:8) heal those wounds?
• Am I trying to serve God through duty or through love? How does 1 John 4:10 change the way I see obedience?
• What does it look like to submit “as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:18) in a healthy, Christ-centered way?
• How has Jesus shown sacrificial love to me (John 15:13)? In what ways can I mirror that love?
• Is there a fear or hurt in my heart that I need to surrender to Jesus today?

A Prayer of Surrender

Dear Jesus, today I surrender my hurts and my questions to You. I trust that Your love is greater than my fears. Please fill me with Your peace and teach me to walk in Your love. Help me to submit to others out of gratitude for how deeply You submitted Yourself for me. Heal every broken part of my heart, and remind me daily that I am Your beloved daughter. Strengthen me to love as You love, to forgive as You forgive, and to hold onto hope when storms come. I release control into Your kind hands, knowing You will use my story for Your glory. In Your gentle name I pray, Amen.