THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
Surrender When It Hurts

By Jill Morikone November 18th, 2025

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:24

The loud buzzer broke into my thoughts. My friend pulled the heavy door open. It clicked and locked behind us. It seemed every time I went to jail to share God’s Word with the ladies, I had the same prayer. Lord Jesus, get me out of the way and use us. Please!​

Soon, we heard the murmur of voices as the women swept around the corner into view. Blue jumpsuits and orange Crocs. Some faces hardened by years of crime, others fresh and innocent as a child’s.​

I began with the story of Greg and my infertility. The endless round of tests. The questions and tears. The day the doctor called with the devastating news, my anguished cry to God, and His amazing response: “Jill, my precious daughter, count your blessings!”​

What? I had wanted pity, but God was concerned with praise? So, I began. Hesitantly at first, then faster and faster they tumbled out—my precious husband, our church family, a God who never stopped His pursuit of me. That simple act of surrender coupled with the choice to praise was the beginning of my release from hurt and pain.

I turned to the women. “Your journey’s not the same as mine, but you all have pain of some sort. What is God asking you to surrender?” They looked at me, tears streaming down their faces.​

Judy was a beautiful girl with long hair, a perfect complexion, and the sweetest, most innocent eyes. It was hard to believe she’d been picked up for meth. “It’s my three kids. They’re in foster care and I want them back.” She stretched out her hands to me as she sobbed, “Won’t you take them, Jill?”​

Tears filled my eyes. “Are you willing to release control over your kids to God, and to trust Him whether you ever get them back?” She buried her face in her hands. I understood—surrender is not an easy thing.​

Tabitha had been in prison, gotten out, and was going back. Years of drug use scarred her face. “I have two kids, they’re 11 and 13. Since I’ve been in jail or prison so much, they don’t even know me or care about seeing me.” Her voice cracked, but she continued. “I guess I need to surrender my desire to ever have a close relationship with my kids.”​

As the women continued, I thought of my own battle. How often I’ve clung to the people, the places, or the things that I think are mine. Even as I squeeze tighter, I hear God whisper, Will you trust Me with your pain? With your fears? With those you care about the most?​

Let’s come today, with our desires and burdens, with our sacrifice of surrender, and see what God’s going to do in our lives, and the lives of those we love!