The Only Way Out of Sin Is Surrender

I want to share something raw and honest today — not because I’m proud of it, but because I think you might know this struggle too.

Earlier today, I felt a little twinge of jealousy and competitiveness (for lack of a better word).

On my socials, I’ve been asking people to share their prayer intentions so I can take them to Adoration. It’s become a beautiful part of my ministry, something the Lord really placed on my heart.

But today, I saw someone else — a guy who’s also a Catholic content creator — suddenly asking his followers for their intentions for his rosary. It seemed like it was his first time doing it, and I immediately assumed:

“Wait… did he copy that from me?”

And oh, the irritation that flared up inside. I thought: "This is such a dumb thing to be irritated about!"

I mean, we should all be praying for everyone, interceding and encouraging others to intercede. I don’t own this idea. I have no claim on it. And truly, God is the one who put it on my heart in the first place. What business is it of mine if He put it on someone else’s heart too? Amen that He does! Amen!

I should be rejoicing that the Lord used me as a vessel to inspire someone else.

And, to be fair — I am rejoicing in that.

But that doesn’t automatically remove the human instinct, the weakness, the sudden flare of jealousy or irritation.

And I loathe this feeling. Truly, I do.

Why do I hate it so much?

Because I know it offends our Lord.

I know it separates me from perfect love.

I know it’s powerless and petty and ugly.

And yet — I can’t control it by sheer willpower.

I’ve tried and failed.

So I prayed. I asked the Holy Spirit:

“How can I overcome this? I know I’m powerless, I know I need Your grace — but what do I actually do? Do I just try harder? Why can’t You just take it away?”

And what came into my heart was so gentle, so clear:

“You give it to Me.”

Of course.

Of course that's what I do.

How did I not realize this?

And so I did. I prayed:

“I place my jealousy at Your feet, Jesus.

I hand it to You.

I do not want it.

I do not want anything that separates me from You.

Please help me.

Jesus, this project is yours.

Everything I’m doing is for You and with You.

It is not mine.

Do with it as You will.

I know You love me and care more about my soul than my popularity.

Thank You for Your protection, Lord.

Thank You for Your teaching, for this opportunity to refine my heart.

I love You, my Lord, and I never want to offend You.

This is Your child whom I had these ill thoughts toward,

and I’m so, so sorry.

Create a clean heart in me, O Lord, and bless that young man.

May You help our hearts grow and help us do Your works

to bring glory to Your name. Amen.”

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The Rip Tide of Sin & the Grace of Surrender

Gentle waves wash over the sandy beach.

As I reflected on this later,

I realized I’ve always believed I could overcome sin on my own.

If I just tried harder, I could do it.

And then — when I failed —I would spiral into shame.

But sin is like being caught in a rip tide.

The more you try to fight a rip current, the more it pulls you under.

You panic, you thrash, you exhaust yourself.

The way out of a rip tide is not to fight harder...

It’s to swim sideways —to surrender to the current, stop fighting,

and let yourself move out of its grip.

And that’s exactly how it works with sin.

The way out is not:

• More willpower.

• More self-hatred.

• More “I’ll do better next time.”

  
  

The way out is:

• Jesus, I give this to You.

• I can’t overcome this without You.

• Please help me. I trust You.

And every time the thought comes back,

every time the temptation flares again,

I hand it over again.

And each time, He gives me grace.

And over time, I’m carried out of the rip tide.

The enemy wants me to panic.

God wants me to surrender.

The enemy wants me to spiral into shame or comparison.

God wants me to run to Him, even in my weakness.

The enemy wants me to think I’m alone,

but the truth is — I’m not.

Neither are you.

We are all swimming in the same waters.

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If you’ve ever felt this ache — jealousy, competition, comparison, irritation —

you are not alone.

And the answer is not to beat yourself up.

The answer is to keep handing it over to Jesus,

as many times as it takes.

He’s not angry at you.

He’s waiting for you —to reach for His hand,

so He can carry you through.

The only way out of sin is surrender.