By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

The word “submission” provokes strong reactions. Often associated with stereotypical gender roles in marriage, submission has been twisted into an authoritarian, sexist concept. Misogynists wield it like a weapon.

But submission should have nothing to do with human beings and everything to do with God. Submission is surrendering to God. It’s trusting your future and your life, and the future and lives of the people you love, to the Almighty. It’s agreeing to let go and give all your worries, all your decisions, all your dreams, to God.

That’s not to say that we don’t have a role to play in our own lives. God expects us to put in the effort. God also expects us to trust Him and submit to His authority and plans for us. The part we play is to surrender and obey, to follow where Christ leads. That is Biblical submission.

Jesus Take the Wheel

In James 4:7 we are told to submit to God: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (KJV). It’s not a suggestion. Submission is an obligation. It requires humility. Our own self-importance can get in the way of fully submitting to the Lord. We must admit that we don’t know everything, and we don’t always know best.

As the old hymn says, there is no other way but to trust and obey. I won’t sugarcoat it – trusting God can be scary. It’s nerve-wracking to give up control. You have no idea what God plans to do if you submit to Him. But guess what? You can’t predict the future anyway. God knows what your future holds, so you might as well submit to the Lord and trust in His plans.

Submission does not mean that you are free from responsibility, nor does it mean that your life will be all sunshine and rainbows. It does mean that you acknowledge God as the ultimate authority and that you believe that God’s will trumps your own. You still have free will and make decisions, but you seek God’s wisdom to discern the best decisions. Will you make the wrong decisions? It’s possible. The good news is that even our worst decisions can’t derail God’s plans.

Let Go and Let God

Wrapping our heads around Biblical submission requires throwing off the shackles of the distorted version of submission promoted by the patriarchy. Modern American society has made submission a dirty word. When used to reinforce stereotypical gender norms, it becomes a disgusting word. Our reaction to submission is a shiver. We stubbornly refuse to submit to anyone.

Do not forget that even Jesus submitted to God: “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36 KJV). If the Son can submit to the Father, then why can’t we? To follow Christ’s example means submitting to God.

When we refuse to submit to God, though, we miss out on something wonderful. Biblical submission under God can be beautiful and freeing. Everyone, regardless of gender identity, is expected to submit to the Lord. This kind of submission is for our benefit. How so?

Well, faith is believing in that which is not seen. I’ve never seen God, but I believe God exists. I believe God created me and the Earth and everything in the universe. I believe God loves me. If God loves me enough to give me life, I can be confident that God loves me enough to take care of me. That’s submission, trusting that God knows best. God’s best is beyond my own imagining. That’s the benefit. I submit to the Lord and the Lord takes care of me in ways I cannot take care of myself.

Trust and Obey

Yes, women should submit. We should submit to God. Submission to men is a cultural construct designed to sustain the patriarchy. It does not honor God.

Submitting to the Lord means trusting that God loves you and wants what is best for you, acknowledging that what you want and what God wants may not align. Submission means obeying the Lord and going where you are sent and saying yes even when you are afraid.

It sounds terrifying but it’s worth it. Because you are in good hands. You are in God’s hands.