I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life

by Laura Story, Leigh McLeroy (With)

Overview

Most of us long to be in control—of our schedule, our relationships, and our future.

Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams?

But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision. And again and again she learned that even in the midst of shattered dreams, God’s plan brought greater joy than she could have imagined.

Now the Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Blessings,” “Indescribable,” and “Mighty to Save” shares her powerful story of finding blessing in her deepest pain. In, I Give Up, Laura explores:

• How to delight in God’s gifts no matter your circumstances.
• Why waiting on God is a daily decision, not a step-by-step process.
• The strength we find from meditating on God’s Word.
• Why surrendering to God leads to reconciliation with others.
• How the things we consider to be losses are ways for God to display his glory.

As Laura writes, she no longer wants to be in control of her life. She wants to be rooted in the God who is in control. I Give Up will help you Discover a deeper life of worship, a fuller life of joy, and a freer life of true surrender as you open your hands to God. And give up.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780785226291
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	07/30/2019
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	615,281
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Laura Story is a wife, mother, songwriter, worship leader, author, artist, and Bible teacher. Her songs—which have won Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and Dove Awards—include “Blessings” and Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable.” She is the bestselling author of two books and Bible studies, When God Doesn’t Fix It and I Give Up. Laura has a master of theological studies and a doctorate in worship studies, and has served as a worship leader at Perimeter Church in Atlanta since 2005. Her greatest joy is being a wife to Martin and mother to Josie, Ben, Griffin, and Timothy.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Surrender… Who Me?

1 A Life Beyond Control 3

2 Dear God: Let's Be Co-Rulers. Love, Me 21

Part 2 Who Do I Surrender To?

3 A Great, Good, Trustworthy God 35

4 A God Who Knows 47

5 A God Who Loves Me 63

6 A God Who Keeps His Promises 77

Part 3 How Do I Surrender?

7 Surrender by Letting Go 97

8 Surrender by Choosing to Believe 109

9 Surrender by Acting "As If" 125

Part 4 What Happens When I Surrender?

10 My Choices Impact Others 143

11 When I Surrender, Relationships Can Heal and Thrive 157

12 When I Surrender, Reconciliation Is Possible 175

13 When I Surrender, I Leave a Legacy 191

14 When I Surrender, I Worship 207

Acknowledgments 221

Notes 223

About the Author 227

Editorial Reviews

05/20/2019

In this inspiring memoir, Story (When God Doesn’t Fix It), a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, explores recent personal turmoil and the ways uncertainty has opened her to God’s plan. After her husband is diagnosed with a brain tumor, a pregnant Story learns that her son will be born with a cleft palate. The occurrences stun her and inspire her recommit to God. In addition to sharing her own experiences, she provides examples from the Bible of those who surrendered to God’s plan, including Esther, Hannah, Joseph, and Jesus. “Choosing to believe God when a situation remains unresolved... is a serious lesson in surrender.” Story addresses how one’s choices affect others and why the act of surrendering often leads to the betterment or reconciliation of relationships. Following her husband’s recovery and the healthy birth of her son (whose cleft palate required less surgery than they imagined), she explains how “giving up” allowed God to use her disappointments to display his glory. Story also includes uplifting lyrics from her songs and concludes chapters with prayers based on the idea of surrender. Her tale of maintaining faith through hardship and her message that “surrender is the secret to a life of joy” will appeal both to fans of her music and Christian readers alike. (July)

Publishers Weekly

In this inspiring memoir, Story (When God Doesn't Fix It), a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, explores recent personal turmoil and the ways uncertainty has opened her to God's plan. After her husband is diagnosed with a brain tumor, a pregnant Story learns that her son will be born with a cleft palate. The occurrences stun her and inspire her recommit to God. In addition to sharing her own experiences, she provides examples from the Bible of those who surrendered to God's plan, including Esther, Hannah, Joseph, and Jesus. 'Choosing to believe God when a situation remains unresolved... is a serious lesson in surrender.' Story addresses how one's choices affect others and why the act of surrendering often leads to the betterment or reconciliation of relationships. Following her husband's recovery and the healthy birth of her son (whose cleft palate required less surgery than they imagined), she explains how 'giving up' allowed God to use her disappointments to display his glory. Story also includes uplifting lyrics from her songs and concludes chapters with prayers based on the idea of surrender. Her tale of maintaining faith through hardship and her message that 'surrender is the secret to a life of joy' will appeal both to fans of her music and Christian readers alike.

PW