The Way Is—Surrender

How do we go about controlling our strong urges? Do we push them under? No, for as Hadfield said, “Repressed instincts are like bad boys who, when put out of class, retaliate by throwing stones at the windows.” It’s better to keep the bad boys in class, and teach them to direct their energies to better ends.

If the answer is not to be found in repression, then is it to be found in expression? Shall we give free rein to the urges within us? No, for that would lead us into deeper bondage.

Shall we try to eliminate them? By no known process can these driving urges be eliminated. Put them out of the door and they will climb back in through the window, often in disguise. The philosophies of Buddhism are built on the idea that we can eliminate instincts and wipe out desire. A Buddhist monk was asked by a missionary: “What is your desire?” “Nothing.” “Where are you going?” “Nowhere.” “Where have you come from?” “Nowhere.” He wanted to be a blank—but not quite. He ardently desired to be a blank, so desire was still there, turned toward the absence of desire.

If we can’t eliminate the driving urges, and we shouldn’t repress or suppress them, or express and release them, then what can we do?

We must allow the Holy Spirit to take them over. Our urges are properly fulfilled only when they are surrendered to the will of God. When we allow the Holy Spirit to get into the driving seat of our personalities, then we are in safe hands.

Further Study

Nm 11:1-9; Eccl 6:7; 1Co 10:6; Eph 2:3

What was the problem of the children of Israel?

What did they fail to see?