We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

Sometimes the most ordinary moments carry the most divine reminders.
We think faith is this big, perfect thing we have to hold onto without wavering, but more often, it looks like trembling hands reaching for the handlebars again. It looks like movement, even if it’s shaky. Obedience, even if it’s small. Trust, even when we don’t know what’s ahead.

Starting Again at 27

Just yesterday, I learned how to ride a bicycle again at the age of 27.
It felt familiar, but entirely new. It had been years since I was last on a bike, and I had forgotten how to do it. From figuring out how to get on and push forward, to learning how to balance without wobbling or falling, to using the brakes safely, it all felt daunting.
As I stood there staring at the bike, one fear echoed in my mind: “I’m going to fall.”
But still, I got on.

Wobbles, Fear, and the Gift of Trying Again

Those first few tries were shaky. I was nervous and unsure, constantly thinking I would fail or hurt myself. But I wasn’t alone. Two dear friends were there, gently guiding me, patient, kind, and encouraging from the very beginning.
With each try, second, third, fourth, I became more confident. I didn’t get it perfectly, but I could feel myself improving. There was growth in the trying. I was becoming better with every ride.
Isn’t that exactly what faith is like?

Faith Is Trusting Without Perfect Balance

Our walk with God often mirrors those first moments on a bike.
There is no “graduation” in faith, no certificate that says “You’ve arrived.” It is a daily walk, an ongoing relationship of trust.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV
Just like I had to choose to get back on the bike each time I stumbled, faith requires us to try again, even when we feel uncertain or weak. It is not about being flawless, it is about trusting the One who holds us steady.

The Beauty of Weakness and Dependence

I learned something precious that day. Failure and weakness don’t define us, they remind us.
They remind us to depend on God. They remind us that we are not meant to journey alone. My ability to ride didn’t just come from within, I needed help. I needed patience. I needed people.
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Sometimes it takes failing to remember who carries us.

The Gift of Community

My two friends were more than just bystanders. They were part of the process. From affirming words to literally holding the bike or riding beside me, they never left me alone.
And by the end of our ride, we were cruising along a peaceful riverbank, surrounded by mountains. The very thing I had feared became a source of joy. I was riding, and I was not riding alone.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV
That moment reminded me, faith is not a solo mission. God calls us into community, to lift one another, to walk together, to encourage and correct in love.

When God Only Shows You the First Step

As we rode, I reflected on how this moment mirrored what it feels like to trust God in a new season.
Learning to ride started with one step: getting on the bike. I didn’t know what would happen after that, I just had to start. Sometimes God does the same. He gives us just enough light for the next step and asks us to trust Him with the rest.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Faith doesn’t always come with a roadmap. Often, it just begins with obedience.

The Peace That Comes With Trusting

There was a subtle peace and joy in my heart by the end of our ride. I had gone from fear to freedom. Not because I was perfect at riding, but because I had tried, and I had trusted.
And in that trust, God met me.
This entire experience reminded me that faith grows as we keep choosing it.
Choosing to believe.
Choosing to try again.
Choosing to trust Him more than our fear.

Reflection and Invitation

What is God asking you to step into, something that feels unfamiliar, uncertain, or even scary?
Maybe it is starting something new. Or trusting Him again after disappointment. Maybe it is releasing control or asking for help.
Whatever it is, take the first step.
He does not need your perfection. He just desires your heart, your yes, your trust.

Reflective Prompts for Your Journey

• What “bike” is God asking me to get on again?
• Who are the “friends” I can lean on in this season of faith?
• Have I confused weakness with failure, when it is actually an invitation to depend on God?

A Prayer to Close

Lord,
Teach me to trust You like a child learning to ride for the first time.
Help me release my fear, try again when I fall, and lean into the community you’ve given me.
Thank you for walking this journey with me, even when I’m wobbly.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Chola Tshilanga

Hi, I’m Chola Tshilanga! A passionate content creator and digital expert using her gift of writing to help others live a more intentional life in God while fulfilling their purpose, using God’s word as a compass.

The post Faith Is Like Riding a Bicycle appeared first on Cup of Faith.

The Testimonies We Don’t Always Tell

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
We love stories that end in joy.
The kind where the waiting is rewarded, the prayer is answered, and the promise is fulfilled.
We celebrate the woman who finally had the baby, the man who finally got the job, and the couple who finally got married. And we should.
But what about the stories that don’t end that way?
What about the woman who never became a mother… and still found purpose?
What about the person whose long-awaited “yes” never came, yet they chose to stay faithful?
This is a reflection on both.
A story about hope fulfilled, and hope surrendered.
And how, in both, God is still good.

When the Movie Feels Like a Mirror: Watching “Broken Hallelujah”

A few weeks ago, I watched a Nigerian film called Broken Hallelujah. I’m a Nollywood girl through and through, so when I saw a new faith film from my favourite actresses, I had to tune in.
The story follows a woman who was barren for close to a decade. A faithful woman of God. A woman who loved the church, served alongside her husband in ministry, and built a beautiful life, except for the one thing her heart ached for: a child.
Year after year, she believed.
Year after year, nothing happened.
The movie beautifully portrayed the pain, the broken faith, the marital strain, and the quiet heartbreak of waiting on God for something so good, so deeply longed for. And then, God answered. Not just with one child, but triplets.
The ending was powerful. It was what we often call a “happy ending.”
And it was deeply moving.
But what happened the next day in class is what truly shifted something in me.

When the Prophecies Don’t Come True

In my Christian counselling class, my lecturer shared her personal testimony. Her story echoed the movie, but with a very different ending.
She, too, was barren for many years. She had received countless prophetic words about motherhood. One in particular stood out: a word that she would conceive a baby girl before the year ended.
So she planned. She believed. She took pregnancy tests month after month.
But by the end of the year… nothing.
And to make matters worse, she had gone up for prayer with three other women. All of them fell pregnant shortly after. Except her.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 NIV
Her hope became heavy. She grew bitter. Angry. She stopped going to church, stopped praying, and stopped serving.
And yet, God was still pursuing her.

The Divine Question That Demands a Response

As she processed the disappointment with the Lord, something unexpected happened. God asked her a question:
“Would you be willing to surrender this one thing you desire most, so you can become who I’ve truly called you to be?”
She couldn’t answer immediately.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 NIV
To let go of something so precious—something so longed for—is no small ask. But eventually… she said yes, just like the disciples.
She let go—not of the desire completely—but of the expectation. She placed it on the altar. Not as a bargaining chip, but as a sacrifice of trust.
And in that surrender, God revealed her real assignment.

Called to Mother Nations

God had called her not just to mother one child, but to mother many. Through her work as a Christian counsellor, she began healing marriages, guiding women, leading hurting people to Jesus, and helping the broken find freedom.
“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child… because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. Isaiah 54:1 NIV
She is now a spiritual mother to many. Her “yes” to God’s will bore fruit far beyond anything she could have imagined.
Her story reminded me that we serve a God who gives purpose, even when He doesn’t give us what we asked for.

Two Stories. One God. No Less Faithful.

So here I was, reflecting on these two stories
One ends with triplets.
One ends with a purpose beyond expectation.
And both are valid.
Both are beautiful.
Both are testimonies of a God who writes different endings for different people, but is never less faithful in any of them.
Do I Love God More Than the Thing I’m Praying For?
This reflection confronted me.
How many times have I measured God’s goodness based on what I received from Him?
How often do I come to Him with a prayer list, but not with the humility to ask:
“Lord, what do You want for my life?”
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
We love this verse. But “delight” doesn’t mean manipulating God into saying yes. It means coming so close to Him that His desires become our own.
That’s a harder kind of faith.
But it’s the one that sustains.

The Testimonies We Need to Hear More Of

I love the stories of “God did it!”
But we also need to hear:
“God didn’t do it the way I thought, but I trust Him anyway.”
These are the testimonies that anchor people. That disciple heart. That reminds us faith is not about outcomes, it’s about obedience.
Even if He does not… Daniel 3:18 NIV
This kind of faith isn’t built on the fire being quenched.
It’s built on the God who walks with us in it.

What If His “No” Is an Invitation Into Something Greater?

We must ask ourselves:
Are we surrendered enough to live out God’s story, even if it doesn’t look like our dream?
Because sometimes, the greatest act of faith isn’t waiting for the door to open.
It’s choosing to be content with where He’s placed you now.

Watch the Film + Reflect For Yourself
🎥 Watch Broken Hallelujah here: [https://youtu.be/modAD9y-9Tw?si=-VrcWl21_n78risE]
📖 Reflect on these questions:
What is one desire I’ve been struggling to surrender to God?

Have I asked Him what His desire is for my life?

Am I willing to follow, even if the path looks different from what I hoped?

Whether God gives us what we’re waiting for or calls us into something different, He is still good. Still faithful. Still enough.
Let’s build a faith that loves Him more than the things we’re asking Him for.
A faith that says, “Even if not… You are still worthy.”

Chola Tshilanga

Hi, I’m Chola Tshilanga! A passionate content creator and digital expert using her gift of writing to help others live a more intentional life in God while fulfilling their purpose, using God’s word as a compass.

The post Broken Hallelujah: When God’s “No” Is Still His Goodness appeared first on Cup of Faith.

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44 NLT

We live in a world where loving those who love us back feels natural, and loving those who have hurt us feels almost impossible. Yet, in Matthew 5, Jesus gives us a deeper call: to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to love not based on familiarity or reward but rooted in obedience and Christ-like compassion.

This blog is a personal reflection on that exact kind of love. It’s about what it means to live out a Kingdom standard when the world gives you every reason not to. And how obedience, not comfort, is often where the love of Christ shines the brightest.

Divine Encounters in Unexpected Places

Some days begin so ordinarily, yet end with a whisper from heaven.

It was a fateful day when I decided I’d go grocery shopping. I had planned out exactly what I needed and was excited to stock up. But little did I know that what started as a simple errand would become a heart check — a moment where God would gently redefine what love looks like.

After collecting my items and heading to the till, I realized with a sinking feeling that I didn’t have my bank card. I panicked a little, but strangely, I felt a quiet peace in my heart that everything would be okay. I asked the cashier if I could leave and return with my card, and thankfully, they agreed.

Because I didn’t live too far away, I considered walking. But to speed things up, I ordered an Uber. What I didn’t expect was that this Uber ride would minister to me more than any sermon that day.

The driver was warm, thoughtful, and soon our small talk turned into deep conversation. He asked me about my faith, my relationship with God, and I could tell immediately: this man knew the Lord.

He shared how he had recently been discipling a young man — an 18-year-old who had lost both of his parents. This young man had been suicidal, caught in hopelessness, until this very Uber driver reached out and began walking with him through healing, helping him find work and a reason to live again.

Naturally, I assumed the driver worked with youth. “Oh wow, do you serve young people in your community?” I asked.

His answer stunned me: “No, actually, I’ve never done this before. I didn’t even know this young man. We connected on Facebook, and the Holy Spirit told me to reach out to him.”

That was all he needed — a prompting from the Holy Spirit. And because he obeyed, someone’s life was changed.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. This man didn’t need to know this teenager to love him. He didn’t need a title, a church program, or a personal connection. He simply obeyed God and loved someone who didn’t “earn” it.

The Uber driver taught me something profound: obedience can look like love. He loved a stranger with his time, his care, his prayers. And it wasn’t just emotional — it was spiritual. It was a choice.

Who Are Our Enemies, Really?

This blog piece is personal because “love your enemies” has been a journey I know well.

We often define enemies the way the world does — villains in movies, abusive exes, jealous co-workers. But I’ve come to see that sometimes, your greatest enemies are people who have deeply hurt you — and once that pain sinks in, it can feel like the love you once had for them dies with it.

For me, that pain came during the breakdown of my family. When my parents divorced, I saw things I never imagined I would. Pain tore through my home, and with it came versions of my family that were angry, cold, distant, and broken. And brokenness has a way of revealing people’s worst sides.

But in the same season that I was trying to protect my heart, God was calling me to love.

Loving Through Brokenness

There is an ease in loving people who love you well. But when love asks you to stretch — to stay soft in the middle of betrayal, to forgive what still stings — it becomes clear that this is a supernatural love.

It was the Holy Spirit who kept pulling me toward forgiveness, not because others deserved it, but because I did not deserve the grace God gave me either.

I am not more righteous than the next person. I’m not better than anyone who has wronged me. That kind of humility doesn’t come naturally, but it does come when you spend time with God, when you realize just how much He loves you despite your own flaws.

The commandment to love the Lord your God, love yourself, and love others isn’t a light suggestion. It’s the foundation of a full life in Christ. And “others” doesn’t mean just those who are good to you. It includes the complicated, the painful, and the unpredictable. The ones who test your growth. The ones you’re still learning to forgive.

Love Is a Lifestyle, Not a Feeling

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that love is not a reward system. It’s not something we give to those who earn it. It’s a posture. A way of life.

That Uber driver taught me something profound: Obedience can look like love. He loved a stranger with his time, his care, his prayers. And it wasn’t emotional. It was spiritual. It was a decision.

God’s Word doesn’t ask us to love when we feel like it. It calls us to love because that’s who He is.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:46–47:

“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much… If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?”

When we love like the world, we blend in. When we love like Christ, we stand out. Because that kind of love transforms.

Reflecting the Heart of the Father

The last verse in this passage always used to intimidate me:

“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
But I’ve learned that this verse isn’t demanding flawlessness — it’s pointing us to maturity. It’s an invitation to grow up into the fullness of who God is. To love like Him.

God gives sunlight and rain to the good and the evil alike. He doesn’t withhold His kindness because of our sin. That’s the love we’ve received, and now, that’s the love we’re called to give.

When I reflect on my own story — the hardened heart that God softened, the pain that He is still healing — I realize this kind of love can change lives. It changed mine. And it will change yours, too.

Becoming the Bible Some Have Never Read

My mentor once told me, “Some people will never open the Bible, but they will encounter God through your life.”

That’s never left me.

Your life, your love, your kindness — these are testimonies. You don’t need a pulpit. Your work desk is a pulpit. Your WhatsApp chats are a pulpit. Your dinner table is a pulpit.

Every day, we get the chance to reflect God not just with our words but with our love.

So how do we love our enemies?

We start by praying for them. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

We ask God to soften our hearts, to help us see them the way He does. We surrender our desire to be right, to get even, to stay offended. We ask Him to make us whole so we can love from a healed place — not a bleeding one.

And we remember: we were loved before we ever loved Him.

Takeaways:

• Loving your enemies isn’t about their worthiness — it’s about your obedience.
• Forgiveness is part of your healing journey.
• Love is a lifestyle — not a reaction.
• Your life may be the only Bible some people will read.
• We love because Christ loved us first.

Spend time this week asking God:

Who have I withheld love from? Who do I need to forgive — or begin praying for — even if I don’t feel ready to love them yet?

Write their names down. Pray over them. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you take the first step. You don’t need to feel it — you just need to be willing.

If you’ve been on the receiving end of love that healed you, take time to thank God for the people He used. Then, go be that person for someone else.

Chola Tshilanga

Hi, I’m Chola Tshilanga! A passionate content creator and digital expert using her gift of writing to help others live a more intentional life in God while fulfilling their purpose, using God’s word as a compass.

The post When Love Looks Like Obedience: Learning to Love Beyond Familiarity appeared first on Cup of Faith.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

There’s a kind of exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix. The kind that sits in your bones, the weight of carrying too much for too long. And sometimes, in the middle of it, we find ourselves longing—not just for rest, but for someone to share the weight.

For me, that longing has shown up in ways I didn’t even realise. It wasn’t loud or desperate, but quiet, subtle. A thought here, a feeling there. Maybe if I had a husband, this would be easier or had a partner to help with this and that.

But the Holy Spirit interrupted me with a lesson I wasn’t expecting.

And somehow, Ruth’s story was at the centre of it all.

When Exhaustion Exposes the Heart

Life has been heavy. Not falling apart, just a lot. Work, responsibilities, being the eldest daughter—it all stacks up. And when I get overwhelmed, I’ve noticed this pattern in myself: I start imagining how different life would feel if I
weren’t carrying it alone.

I don’t mean in an obvious, “God, where’s my husband?” kind of way. But in the smaller thoughts.
If I had someone to remind me to eat well, to make sure I’m resting, to share the weight of it all…
I didn’t even notice I was thinking like this until a male friend pointed out that I had lost weight. Not in a passing comment kind of way, but in genuine concern. Are you okay? Are you looking after yourself?
And that moment of care, of feeling seen—it did something to me.

But right there, God pressed pause.

“Look deeper.”

And what He showed me? It wrecked me.

The Lie We Believe About Rest

I had unknowingly tied my sense of rest to a future season. To marriage. To have a partner who could help me slow down, who would remind me to take care of myself, who would create a safe space for me to breathe.
But the Holy Spirit confronted and convicted that thinking.
“Rest is not something you wait for. It’s something you cultivate now.”
And it hit me: I was looking for an easy way out.
Instead of learning to set boundaries, instead of learning to listen to my body, instead of choosing rhythms of grace now—I was hoping that marriage would fix it for me.

But marriage isn’t a shortcut to rest.

And that’s where Ruth came in.

Ruth’s Rest Wasn’t in Boaz—It Was in God

Ruth’s story is so often told through the lens of romance. People love talking about how Boaz saw her, protected her, and provided for her. And yes, that part is absolutely beautiful.
But what about everything that came before?
What about Ruth who left everything to follow Naomi? What about Ruth who had every reason to stay where it was safe, to choose the easier option? But she didn’t. She surrendered.
“Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God.” – Ruth 1:16
Ruth didn’t chase a husband. She didn’t chase an outcome. She chased God. And that’s what changed everything.

She was already walking in obedience. Already walking in surrender. And because of that, when Boaz came, he wasn’t the source of her security—God already was.

That’s what I desire.

Choosing Fullness in the Now

This season of singleness is not a waiting room for the “real thing.” It’s not a limbo where I just sit around until marriage unlocks my best life.

It’s a place where fullness is available right now.

Jesus has already given me permission to rest.

Jesus has already made me whole.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

That’s the invitation. Not when I have a husband.

Not when life feels easier.

Not when the weight lifts.

But now.

So I’m learning. Learning to listen when my body says, Hey, you need a break. Learning to set boundaries that protect my peace. Learning to let God carry the weight, instead of hoping a future husband will do it for me.
Because if I can surrender here—if I can cultivate rest now—then whatever comes next, whether marriage, motherhood, or new seasons, I’ll walk into it already whole.

Already at peace.

Already living from a place of fullness.

Just like Ruth.

And that? That is enough.

Reflection Prompts

As you sit with this, here are some questions to take to God:
• Have I been postponing rest, peace, or joy for a future season?
• In what ways have I believed that marriage would “fix” parts of my life?
• How is God inviting me to experience fullness in this season?
• What practical steps can I take to prioritize rest, boundaries, and self-care now?

Write them down. Pray through them. Let God speak.

A Prayer for This Season

Father, I surrender this season to You. I lay down the belief that I have to wait for a future moment to experience rest, peace, and joy. Help me to see that everything I need is already in You. Teach me to walk in Your rhythms of grace. To trust You in the now. To find wholeness, not in what’s coming, but in the presence of the One who is already here. I give You my heart, my desires, my waiting. Let this season be one of joy, contentment, and deep intimacy with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Start your journey and Live This Out

Rest isn’t just a concept—it’s something we practice. So this week, I want to challenge you:
• Schedule intentional rest (a slow morning, an evening walk, a moment to pause).
• Set one boundary that protects your peace.
• Do something that brings you joy—not because you “deserve” it, but because God delights in your joy too.
Let’s not wait for a future season to live well. Let’s start now.

Chola Tshilanga

Hi, I’m Chola Tshilanga! A passionate content creator and digital expert using her gift of writing to help others live a more intentional life in God while fulfilling their purpose, using God’s word as a compass.

The post The Weight of Rest: What Ruth Taught Me About Singleness appeared first on Cup of Faith.

“From His fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace.” – John 1:16 (ESV)

Grace is not in short supply. It’s not something you have to beg for or work to earn. The Word tells us that grace is poured out in abundance—more than enough for every situation, every weakness, and every need. And the best part? We have received it through Jesus.

There’s no shortage of grace in Him. No lack. No limits. We are not scraping by on crumbs of God’s goodness; we are living in the overflow of His grace.
So why do we sometimes live as though we’re running on empty? Why do we struggle through life, trying to do things in our own strength when grace is right here—ready to empower, sustain, and transform us?

Grace Changes Everything

In Greek, the word for grace is Charis, which speaks of God’s divine influence upon the heart. And whatever influences your heart will always reflect in your life.

If fear rules your heart, it will shape your decisions. If insecurity fills your heart, it will dictate how you see yourself. But when grace influences your heart, it changes everything—your identity, actions, desires, and struggles.

That’s why it matters what (or who) is leading your heart. The voices you listen to, the beliefs you hold onto, and the way you see yourself all flow from the influence of your heart.

So, what is shaping you? Fear or grace? Striving or surrender? Your past or God’s promise?

Designed to Be Led by Grace

We were never meant to navigate life on our own, relying on human effort or sheer willpower. We were designed to be led by God—to wake up each day with Him, to walk through every moment in His strength, and to end each day reflecting on His goodness.

Yet, too often, we take the weight of the world onto our shoulders, forgetting that grace was always meant to carry us.

It’s time to shift. It’s time to live empowered by grace.

Grace: A Gift Freely Given

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17

Grace is a gift—not a reward for good behavior, not something you have to work for, not something you can ever deserve. It was freely given through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

You did nothing to earn it, and you can do nothing to lose it.

The beauty of grace is that it meets us where we are but never leaves us there. It strengthens us, transforms us, and empowers us to walk in the fullness of who God created us to be.

Grace in Weakness: The Power of Surrender

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace isn’t just there for the good days—it’s there for the hard ones, too. It’s there in the moments when you feel unqualified, when you don’t have the strength, when you don’t know the next step.

The world tells us to hide our weaknesses, to push through, to strive harder. But God tells us something different: our weakness is where His strength shows up the most.

To receive grace, you have to surrender. To live by grace, you have to acknowledge that you need help—that you can’t do this on your own. And that’s not a place of failure; it’s a place of power.

Challenge

So, this week, here’s a question to journal: How am I choosing to live empowered by grace?

In addition, scriptures to meditate on:

1. Stop striving and start your journey of surrendering: Psalm 46:10, Matthew 11:28-30
2. Allow grace to shape your heart and lead your steps: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Proverbs 3:5-6
3. Start each day knowing that His grace is more than enough: Lamentations 3:22-23, Ephesians 2:8

You don’t have to do this alone. You were never meant to. Grace is here—full, abundant, and freely given.
It’s time to live empowered.

Chola Tshilanga

Hi, I’m Chola Tshilanga! A passionate content creator and digital expert using her gift of writing to help others live a more intentional life in God while fulfilling their purpose, using God’s word as a compass.

The post Empowered by Grace appeared first on Cup of Faith.

Starting Strong but Rooted in the Right Foundation

We often begin the first quarter of the year with energy and high expectations, setting the tone for what we hope to achieve. But sometimes, if we’re honest, the foundation of our ambition is rooted in self. That was my case.

I believed that pouring myself into others and work projects would not only provide stability but also a sense of self-worth. The world promotes this culture—working tirelessly in our own strength, finding identity in our achievements. However, as children of the Kingdom of God, we are called to a completely different way of living, thinking, and relating to others.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33 (ESV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Our worth is not in what we do, but in whose we are.

The Power of Surrender

The Word of God instructs us to surrender our hearts so that we can experience the transformational leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In my walk with the Lord, every time I have surrendered or let go of control, I have seen Him move in miraculous ways.

Sometimes, it’s a creative idea for a work project—something I believed would only come after an all-nighter—but instead, it came in a moment of stillness and rest in Him. As Psalm 46:10 (NIV) says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Surrender is trusting that His ways are better than ours.

What Does Surrender Look Like?

You might be wondering: What does surrender actually mean? What does it look like in daily life?

Imagine gripping onto a thick rope, holding it tightly because at the other end is something or someone you hold dear. Your hands are hurting, but you refuse to let go because you believe that if you do, everything will fall apart—or worse, you’ll lose yourself.

Surrender is choosing to let go of the rope and allowing God to place ointment on the scars on your hands. It’s trusting that He is holding you, even when you’re no longer holding on.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV), “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Laying Down Everything for Him

Anything that holds a greater place in your heart than God is worth laying down at His feet. He alone should be our first and only love. Deuteronomy 6:5 (KJV) commands us, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

Seeking God first means being honest about the things that have taken up space in our lives. It means making room for Him to heal, to renew our minds, and to give us a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7 ESV).

Just as we carefully plan how we want to show up in this new year, the foundation we build upon is crucial. 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV) reminds us, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” He is the firm foundation, free of cracks or weaknesses. He desires to love, protect, and guide us into abundant life. His ways may be different from the world’s, but they are lasting and truly fulfilling.

Practical Steps to Surrender

Here are three steps that help me surrender when life feels overwhelming:

1. Pray Without Ceasing

Never grow weary of talking to God about where you are in life—your challenges, burdens, and uncertainties. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) reminds us, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Your weaknesses are God’s greatest opportunity to show His strength. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20, ESV).

2. Be Honest With God

God is not a man that He should lie or disappoint (Numbers 23:19, NKJV). Your vulnerability—whether about your mental, physical, or spiritual state—matters deeply to Him. He does not require perfection; He desires a heart that comes to Him in all seasons. John 15:2 (NIV) says, “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” He refines us as we come to Him.

3. Let Go and Let God

This phrase is well-known, but the true test is in practising it. God can only move in your life when there is room in your heart. Letting go is not easy, but it is a sign of deep trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) instructs us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Surrender means believing that God is greater than any situation, relationship, or outcome. It is the ultimate act of faith.

The Peace That Comes With Surrender

When people talk about surrender, they often focus on the weight of letting go. But rarely do we hear about the peace that follows.

I cannot count the number of times I have experienced unexplainable peace, even in the midst of difficulties, simply because I prayed and allowed God to be God in my life. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You.”

If you’re struggling to surrender, I want to assure you that there is peace and victory on the other side of your obedience. As you lift your eyes to Him, know that He is already reaching down to journey with you.

Will you trust Him today?

Chola Tshilanga

Hi, I’m Chola Tshilanga! A passionate content creator and digital expert using her gift of writing to help others live a more intentional life in God while fulfilling their purpose, using God’s word as a compass.

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