Captured Feelings
The subtle art of surrender
Going from ‘I give up’ to ‘I surrender’
Read for free here.
I’ve always been a fighter.
Whenever faced with a challenge, I’d grit my teeth and dive in, determined to conquer it.
But recently, while facing the challenges of being an expat in a city like London, the weight of the world felt like it was crushing me. The loneliness, the cultural differences, the long working hours, the constant stress and the fears about my future became overwhelming.
In those moments, the refrain “I give up” would echo in my mind.
It’s a phrase that carries a heavy connotation of defeat, of throwing in the towel. But as my faith got stronger, I discovered a powerful alternative:
“I surrender.”
The Difference Lies in Intention
While “I give up” implies a passive acceptance of defeat, “I surrender” suggests a conscious submission to a higher power. In my faith, Islam, this higher power is Allah, the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator.
When we surrender to Allah, we acknowledge our limitations and place our trust in His divine plan.
