IT Tried to Take Me Out

In the quiet, sacred stillness, she surrenders what tried to break her—body, soul, and spirit aligning under the weight of grace. Victory begins here.

While reading John Eldredge’s book, Resilient, I was struck by his reflections on the lingering impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. It is remarkable how human beings were created not only to survive against overwhelming odds, we endure and even thrive. The Apostle Paul understood this reality when he wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8, NLT).

Life pressed Paul and the other disciples, yet it never defeated them. The same God who sustained them continues to sustain us. Our victory was secured the moment Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Whatever your “IT” may be, it has already been defeated in Christ. IT represents countless realities: trials, sickness, persecution, sin, brokenness, poverty, wickedness, even death and all of IT was defeated at the cross. No matter the person, place, or circumstance that tried to take you out, IT does not have the final word.

None of us are exempt from the pressures of life, but we are invited to place them into the hands of the One who has already overcome. We may respond to life’s pressures by suppressing, repressing, or fighting through sheer will. Yet there is another way, one that is often overlooked in spiritual warfare: Surrender! Release IT to God! Let IT go!

I experienced a moment as the year closed when I felt a heavy and unexplainable weight. IT felt like grief, exhaustion, and discouragement trying to take root. Inwardly, my heart was crying and outwardly I had no tears to give. I knew this heaviness was not from God, so I responded by falling to my knees in prayer with gratitude. In my struggle, I remained thankful for all God had already done. When I stood, the weight was still there, but I was given clear direction: “Go exercise.”

God created us as triune beings with a body, soul (mind, will, and emotions), and spirit.  Each part of our being matters, and scripture illustrates this truth through the prophet Elijah when he was overwhelmed, depressed, and ready to give up. God’s response to him was not a sermon. Instead, He encouraged and instructed Elijah to eat, drink, and rest so that the journey ahead would not be too much for him (1 Kings 19:4–8).

The same way I was reminded, I am reminding you now… we still have a journey ahead because 2025 was not the end.

But why exercise?

At times, fortifying one part of our being helps restore another. My soul felt weary, so I was prompted to engage my body and allow my God-given endorphins to do their work, but the heaviness lingered. As I was listening to music a familiar sound took over the atmosphere, “My Heart Sings” by William McDowell began ministering to my spirit and I felt a shift.

My soul was not singing yet, but my spirit and body were pulling my soul back into alignment. I played and sang that song repeatedly until the words permeated the deep places of my heart. Like David, I commanded my soul to worship not because I felt good; I remembered God is good!

It is tempting to stay discouraged and despairing, but true hope is in the God who is unshakable when our lives come undone. Grief and trauma may hide for a season then resurface quietly, unexpectedly. In our efforts to be strong, we overlook the signs our body, mind, or spirit needs attention and rest. Our defenses are compromised and we are vulnerable when we fail to do our physical, emotional, and spiritual maintenance. As we go further into 2026, the real question is:

Where is my hope anchored? Where does your soul find restoration in the storm?

Take a quiet moment to be still, breathe, and be honest. Ask yourself:

• Have I been carrying weight God never asked me to carry…surrender IT?

• What part of my being (body, soul, or spirit) is crying for attention, healing, or rest…pursue IT?

• Am I heavy with things from my past that do not serve my future…release IT?

Let this be the year you choose surrender over striving, presence over performance, and faith over worry. You made it this far, not by accident, but by grace. The same God who brought you to this moment will faithfully walk with you through the next one.

Take another step toward hope, toward renewal, toward Jesus. He’s been waiting for you to come, don’t delay.

Remember, IT is finished!

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