Shedding the Layers: A Call to Genuine Surrender

Reflecting back on my life, I can say that I have had to work on removing many layers, layers that accumulated slowly over time. Layers of anger, lying, gossip, unteachability, rudeness, pride, avoiding accountability, and more. Some of these layers were formed through sin, others through pain, fear, or self-protection. What once felt like survival eventually became bondage.

Over time, we all accumulate layers…. habits, attitudes, defenses, and sins that quietly harden around our hearts. Some formed intentionally, others unconsciously. But what once felt normal or justified can slowly distance us from God. In His love, the Lord calls us to shed what no longer belongs.

If I am honest, this has required more than simply listening to God. It has required obedience, actually changing the things He has asked me to change. That is not easy. Is this easy for any of us? No! As humans, it takes great humility to pause, reflect inwardly, and admit that something in us needs to change. I also believe this process is deeply connected to where we are in our relationship with God; the closeness we desire, the depth we are willing to pursue, and our longing to obey and please Him.

As I mentioned in my video last week, I feel a strong impression from the Lord to focus on surrender this month. Not surface-level surrender, but genuine surrender; the kind that changes you from the inside out.

This kind of surrender doesn’t happen accidentally. It begins with proximity. Let’s start by quieting ourselves and entering the secret place. The place where the Lord waits for us when we intentionally make time to meet with Him. I often think of it like an appointment. My pastor frequently says that we make time for the things we love and value. We prepare ourselves, arrive on time, and give our attention fully when something matters to us. We buy new outfits, get our hair and nails done, apply our makeup carefully, and ensure we are ready when an appointment feels important.

So why don’t we match that same energy when it comes to meeting with God—our Creator, the Creator of the universe?

This week, let’s begin by reflecting. Spend intentional time in prayer. Read the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to seriously search your heart and reveal the areas that need change. This will look different for everyone.

Maybe it’s a heart layer—anger, bitterness, pride.
Maybe it’s a speech layer—gossip, lying, harsh or careless words.
Maybe it’s a posture layer—unteachability, defensiveness, avoiding accountability.
Maybe it’s a flesh layer—addiction, lust, reacting emotionally instead of responding in love, choices that don’t align with what we profess.

Ask yourself:
Do I react out of the flesh or respond from a place led by the Holy Spirit?
How do I speak to my coworkers, family, spouse, children, and friends?
Do I arrive carrying peace and encouragement, or do I bring gossip, negativity, and division?
Am I holding on to unforgiveness or bitterness?
Is pride keeping me from listening or obeying God?

These are hard questions. Some of them may make you uncomfortable. And if you feel defensive, upset, or immediately begin justifying something in your mind, I challenge you to pause and ask the Holy Spirit, “Why is this bothering me?” Often, that discomfort is a gentle check in our spirit… an invitation, not condemnation.

This is not about shame. The Holy Spirit never exposes to embarrass us. He reveals so He can heal. We can call out to the Lord, ask him for help. Cry out, Lord, I admit that I fail in this area. Help me tackle this one day at a time.

I share these strategies not because I have mastered them, but because I actively work on them. I struggle with my flesh daily and face many of the same challenges. I am no better than anyone else. But choosing surrender—choosing obedience—confronts the very things that often keep believers bound and prevent us from walking in the fullness of freedom Jesus offers.

One of the biggest layers I have had to confront is anger. It is still something I work on. I can be quick with my words, blunt, defensive, and reactive when I feel attacked. My family is often the first to lovingly call me out. At first, I would become defensive, but when I have slowed down, reflected, and prayed, I realized they were right. They speak truth because they love me and desire closeness with me.

This is how the Holy Spirit works as well. His correction is rooted in love. He corrects us so we can heal, mature, and better reflect Jesus to the world. He desires freedom for you. He wants you to walk whole, restored, and equipped to minister to others from a place of lived transformation. Shedding layers does not happen overnight. It takes time, effort, humility, and intentional time with God. It also requires trusted mentors and faith-filled people who will speak truth and hold us accountable in love. Accountability is not punishment, it is protection.

Today, make the decision to dig deep. Ask the Holy Spirit what areas He wants you to work on this coming year. Let this year be different, not just because of goals or resolutions, but because you resolve to draw near to God. As you prioritize Him, you may find that He begins to bless other areas as well, including your relationships, finances, career, family, and even dreams you’ve tucked away in your heart.

I am on this journey too. I am still surrendering. Still learning. Still shedding layers. And I hope we can walk this journey together.

Will you join me during the next 30 days?

Drop a comment and let me know if this spoke to you. As this month goes by, let me know how God has been speaking to you.

---

Prayer

Heavenly Father, today we make a difficult but necessary choice. We choose to draw closer to You. We choose obedience. We choose to shed the many layers we have carried for years.

Open our spiritual eyes and ears so we may hear You clearly. Give us humility, courage, and boldness to confront the areas of our lives that need change. Heal us, Lord, and mend the broken places, especially those of us who believe we are too far gone to be restored.

Remind us that You have the final word. You use the overlooked, the weary, and the wounded for Your glory.

We praise You and honor Your holy name. Draw near to us. Let us feel Your tangible presence, even when we are discouraged, weary, or are struggling to believe. Silence the lies of the enemy and teach us to respond with scripture, worship, and faith.

Encamp Your angels around our families, children, and loved ones. Help us trust You even when progress feels slow. Thank You for pursuing us relentlessly, even when we turn away.

Finish the work You have begun in us, Lord. Make us a light in this world.

In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.