3 Hidden Joys of Surrender in Lent (and Life)

I didn’t grow up practicing Lent. So, my initial experience with the faith tradition involved hearing my friends talk about all the things they were giving up until Easter–fast food, coffee, soda, candy, television. The list of personal sacrifices went on and on. Understandably, when I first tried Lent, I focused on what I had to give up. But in those 40 days, I learned something unexpected. As each day passed, the surrender of my wants and desires felt less and less like deprivation and more and more like joyful abundance. My heart was receiving more of what it actually needed. Time with Jesus.

In the process of surrendering our distractions and desires and leaning into knowing Him better, we uncover unexpected gifts. If you’re tired of striving, weary of performance-driven faith, and longing for something more profound, these hidden joys of Lent might be exactly what your heart needs leading up to celebrating that empty tomb.

Hidden Joy #1: Peace That Surprises

Traditionally, Lent involves fasting, praying, and reflecting. Lent is an invitation to surrender ourselves to the Lord, step away from distractions, and refocus our hearts on Him. And one of the hidden joys of this surrender is peace–the kind we rarely experience in our fast-paced, overcommitted lives.

Our culture glorifies hustle. The constant noise (and burden) of responsibilities, expectations, and digital distractions keep us moving at a relentless pace. Most of us start our mornings scrolling on our phones before our feet even hit the ground. Our to-do lists and schedules remain packed. And if we have kids, theirs are, too. Yet, beneath the surface, we crave stillness with God. He created us to walk at His pace, not the world’s.

During His time on earth, Jesus showed us a different way. Again and again in Scripture, we see Him stepping away from the crowds, retreating to quiet places, and choosing solitude with the Father. He knew peace wasn’t found in doing more but in seeking and abiding in God’s presence. And don’t miss this: In most cases, Scripture doesn’t say how long Jesus rested with the Father, just that He did.

Lent offers us the chance to follow Jesus’ example. When we surrender our need to be busy (whether by fasting from social media, simplifying our commitments, or intentionally making time for prayer), we start to experience peace. When we step into His peace, it doesn’t make sense, especially given the state of the world. So, maybe part of what we need to surrender is our need to understand.

To experience peace during Lent, try this:

• Start each day with five minutes of stillness. Let your heart and mind lock in on Jesus before the rush begins.
• Choose 10 minutes each day to turn off your phone and tune into God’s presence by listening to worship music.
• When you feel the familiar pull of restlessness, pause and ask: “Am I moving out of anxiety or from a place of trust?”

Hidden Joy #2: Clarity That Guides

Life often feels unclear and foggy. The demands of work, family, and personal struggles create a kind of spiritual noise that drowns out God’s voice. We long for direction, yet we fill our days with so much (and so many other voices) that we can no longer see or hear Him clearly. Lent invites us to step back, to remove what is unnecessary, and to focus on what matters most. As we fast, pray, and simplify, we clear the clutter in our schedules and our hearts and minds. And in that surrender, we receive clarity.

We see this in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. While Martha was distracted by all the things involved with hosting, Mary chose “what is better.” Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His voice. She wasn’t pulled away by what had to be done. She was drawn to Who mattered most. Lent calls us to follow Mary’s example, surrendering the distractions that cloud our vision so we can focus more fully on Christ.

As we give in to this surrender, something shifts. We begin to hear God’s voice more clearly, discern His direction with greater confidence, and recognize His work in our lives in new ways.

To cultivate clarity during Lent, try this:

• Identify your primary distraction (social media, unnecessary commitments, or constant background noise) and fast from it for a specific period. If 40 days feels like too much, start with 1 day. And then another.
• Set aside time each morning to meditate on a single verse of Scripture. Consider choosing one of the Psalms of the Ascent (Psalms 120-134). Most biblical scholars believe those were the Psalms Jesus and the disciples recited on their way to celebrate Passover.
• Create pockets of silence throughout your day. Even five minutes of quiet can help clear mental clutter and refocus your heart on God. Added bonus if you step outside.

Hidden Joy #3: Presence That Transforms

Perhaps the greatest hidden joy of surrender during Lent involves how God’s presence transforms us. We often look for Him in the big, dramatic moments, but He is just as present in the quiet, mundane ones. But, we’re often too distracted to notice. Lent invites us to slow down, to let go of what pulls our attention elsewhere, and to become more aware of His nearness.

First Kings 19:11-13 illustrates this truth. Exhausted and burned out, Elijah waited for God on a mountain. A powerful wind tore through, but God wasn’t in the wind. An earthquake shook the ground, but God wasn’t in the earthquake. Fire blazed, but God wasn’t in the fire. Instead, Elijah encountered God in what Scripture calls “a gentle whisper” or “the sound of sheer silence.”

We, too, can experience God’s presence in moments of quiet surrender. As we let go of distractions and open our hearts in prayer, we position ourselves to encounter God. And His presence begins to shape us, giving us renewed strength, peace, and a greater awareness of His love. And He will transform us in ways that can only come from the Father.

To grow in awareness of God’s presence, try this:

• Start your day with a simple prayer: “Lord, help me notice You today.”
• Practice the art of paying attention. Look for God in the smallest of details, a dew drop on a blade of grass, a smile from your child, or the unmistakable yellow of a tulip.
• End each day by writing down three specific ways you experienced God’s presence. This trains your heart to recognize His presence.

Making Room For More of Him

Lent isn’t about deprivation but about abundance. Every act of surrender is an invitation to experience Jesus more deeply. When we release our grip on what we think we need, our hands open to receive what we truly long for: more of Jesus Himself and a heart more attuned to Him in our lives.