EP 5: SURRENDER LEADS TO VICTORY
Ever struggle with burnout, bitterness, or hopelessness? Christine chats with Lisa Bonnema about the paradoxical truth that surrender is what actually leads to victory in the upside-down kingdom of God. Plus, Lisa offers helpful tips for avoiding bitterness and burnout and shares her story of learning to cling to hope, even in difficult circumstances.
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Our Guest
Lisa Bonnema
Lisa spends most of her days writing magazine articles and corporate marketing content, but her true passion is encouraging women and sharing her Christian faith through speaking engagements, her blog, and all things social media. Lisa has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 21 years and is a “mom in progress” to three strong girls and one giant dog named Auggie. She is a self-proclaimed “oversharer” who values authenticity, sunshine, and good coffee. Her words have been published by (in)courage and Her View from Home, and she is a member of the MOPS Speaker Network.
We’ve highlighted some key points from this episode below. Feel free to share these on your blogs/feeds with proper attribution to the writer/speaker/podcast. Or stay tuned—we will be posting several of these verses and quotes, along with clips from this episode, on our IG page and you can save/share from there.
Scripture
Matthew 11:28-30: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Romans 5:3-5: Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s poured out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who he has given to us.
Quotes
“Surrender is the humble acknowledgment that I need God.” Lisa Bonnema
“Now, surrender, for me, is how I actually live out my faith. It keeps me humble. It keeps me grounded. It reminds me how much I need Jesus. Because for a very long time… I was okay with giving God my eternal life but I still wanted to control my everyday life. I was comfortable being saved but I wasn’t surrendered. I was still living in this illusion of control… and that works for a little while, until it doesn’t.” Lisa Bonnema
“Surrender is a posture. And that posture is humility.” Christine Chandler Prater
“Surrendering was terrifying but it was the most freeing thing I had ever done.” Lisa Bonnema
“God’s motives are my good and his glory.” Lisa Bonnema
“That’s the upside-down kingdom… that yes, we can rejoice in our sufferings because we have a trustworthy and good God that is going to bring victory and hope. And then knowing that, that’s when the joy comes. I don’t have to do this alone. I am not alone. There is someone in this battle with me.” Lisa Bonnema
Resources
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