Into Your Hands, Lord: Learning to Surrender in the Struggle

"Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, God of truth." — Psalm 31:5

Have you ever felt so exhausted—physically, emotionally, spiritually—that even the simplest prayer feels like a burden? Have you ever been so drained that, despite knowing you are blessed, you still carry a weight you can’t seem to put down?

I have.

Over the past few years, I’ve experienced exhaustion in every way possible. From facing a breast cancer diagnosis to struggling with spiritual dryness, from carrying wounds of unworthiness to simply trying to keep up with the daily demands of life—I have often found myself feeling empty, even when my hands are full.

I’ve heard the Lord whisper, “It’s not your burden to carry alone.” And yet, I’ve clung to it. I’ve tried to prove my worth, to push through, to keep going even when my soul was crying out for rest.

But Psalm 31:5 has been pressing on my heart lately: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.”

A Moment of Clarity

Recently, while praying the Psalms with my husband and my sons, this verse stood out to me in a way I couldn’t ignore. I had read it before, prayed with it before, but this time, it was different.

As I sat there with my family, reading those words aloud, I felt something shift. It was as if God was gently reminding me—this is for you.

Jesus spoke these words on the cross. David cried them out in distress. And here I was, carrying burdens I wasn’t meant to carry, holding onto control when I should have been letting go.

A Cry of Surrender

David, the psalmist, wrote these words in a time of distress. Later, Jesus echoed them on the cross, in His final moments of suffering. This wasn’t a cry of defeat but of surrender—an act of placing everything into the Father’s hands, trusting that He is faithful.

Jesus, in His darkest hour, didn’t hold onto control. He didn’t try to carry the weight alone. Instead, He gave Himself fully to the Father.

And that’s where I’ve been struggling.

I like to think I trust God, but if I’m honest, I often find myself holding onto my worries, my fears, my need to be strong. I pray, but I still try to carry the weight. I ask God to lead, but I keep one hand on the wheel.

Maybe you do too. Maybe you’re carrying burdens that God never intended for you to hold alone.

Letting Go When You Feel Unworthy

For much of my life, I’ve battled feelings of unworthiness—feeling like I had to prove myself to be loved. I thought if I worked harder, excelled more, or was the best friend, the best employee, the best version of myself, then maybe I’d be enough.

But the truth is, we don’t have to earn God’s love. We don’t have to prove our worth. You will redeem me, LORD, God of truth.

God’s love is not based on our performance. It’s not given as a reward for our strength. It’s there in the moments of surrender.

What Does Surrender Look Like?

1. Whispering the Prayer Daily – Each morning, before the day rushes in, I’ve started saying, “Lord, into Your hands I commend my spirit. This day is Yours.”

2. Laying It Down in Prayer – When the thoughts of inadequacy or exhaustion creep in, I remind myself: “You will redeem me, LORD, God of truth.” I don’t have to fix everything—I just have to trust Him.

3. Letting God Hold Me – When prayer feels dry and I feel distant, I imagine myself placing my burdens in His hands. Even when I don’t feel Him, He is there.

You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone

If you are feeling drained, weary, or like your prayers are just empty words, I want you to know this: You are not alone. The God who held Jesus on the cross holds you now. The same hands that Jesus entrusted His spirit to are the same hands reaching for you today.

Let go. Surrender. Place it into His hands.

He will redeem you. He already has.

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What burdens have you been carrying? I’d love to pray for you. Share in the comments or reach out—I’d love to walk this journey with you.

Blessings,

Monica