Vital Signs: Monday, August 17, 2026

The Cost of Surrender

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” — Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)

Surrender sounds simple until God asks us to lay down something we desperately want to hold onto. Following Jesus means giving Him our plans, our preferences, our pride, and sometimes our comfort. There is a cost to surrender—but there is also a greater reward.

Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy, but He promised that it would be worth it. What we place in His hands, He can use for His glory. What we refuse to surrender can keep us from experiencing the fullness of His purpose.

Today, don’t ask, “What will surrender cost me?” Ask, “What might God do with a life completely surrendered to Him?”

Question:

How far are we willing to travel to get the past out of our present?

Lord, help me surrender completely. Take my plans, my fears, and my desires, and make my life useful for Your kingdom. In Jesus name Amen.

Team Wade loves you and is praying for you ❤️👊