Guest Post: By Dr. Rose-Ann Smith
I once heard a story, really more of a joke, about a lone gunman who stormed into a church, shouting that anyone who believed in God and stayed would be killed. At his declaration, many people ran out of the church. The gunman then turned to the pastor and said, “All the hypocrites are gone now. You can preach.”
Though it was told as a joke, the message is profound. Many of us proclaim our belief in God and make certain declarations of faith. While I believe some of us truly want to live up to those declarations, it’s not until we’re tested that we can honestly say we’ve surrendered fully to God, trust Him completely, and are willing to suffer for the gospel if it comes to that.
There are countless examples of such commitment in the Bible. Take Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for instance. They refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar, but it wasn’t just their refusal that stands out to me. It was their declaration that they knew God could save them, but even if He didn’t, they would still not bow (Daniel 3:17-18). Many of us as believers are stuck at the point of knowing what God can do, but we struggle with accepting what He may choose to do. Faced with death by fire, how many of us would stand firm or would we consider bowing?
Similarly, Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, knew that God could save Him, but He surrendered fully to God’s will to fulfil His purpose. He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Think about that—He was about to endure the most excruciating death, full of torture, at just 33 years old. Jesus’ willingness to surrender His life is a powerful example of the sacrifice expected in the Christian Walk.
Then, there’s Job, a righteous man who didn't deserve the suffering he endured, yet he refused to curse God. Instead, he declared, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). Job’s story resonates with me deeply. During my illness, I often related to his trials and found gratitude in my circumstances, recognizing that, although things were bad, they could have been worse. Job lost everything—his children, his wealth, and his wife became more of a thorn in his flesh rather than a support. Despite it all, he remained faithful.
One of my favorite apostles, Paul, provides another powerful example. Some might say his suffering as a Christian was karma for persecuting the early church as Saul, but his unwavering commitment to God even in suffering is inspiring. Paul declared, "To live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21) and "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). These words challenge us to reflect on how much we truly trust God. Many of us, despite our proclamations of faith, fear death. We talk about heaven, but few of us can echo Paul’s words because we prefer the comfort of what we know—the land of the living. The 'after death' is still seen as unknown, despite what we preach and teach about heaven.
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read these biblical stories. Reflect on what your response might be if you found yourself in similar situations. Oftentimes, our prayers focus on what we want and what we know God can do, rather than on surrendering to what He may choose to do for His glory. We want the cup taken away without negotiation. We want to be delivered from the fiery furnace, refusing to entertain the idea that God might not deliver us. We would curse God over the loss of our loved ones, our homes, and our health, crying out, “Why me?”
Let’s be honest with ourselves—many of us have yet to embrace the true meaning of total surrender. So, how much do we really trust God? If your boss asked you to deny your faith or lose your job, would you pack up your desk and walk away, or would you try to compromise?
This isn’t a blog post to chastise anyone. If it were, I’d be chastising myself too. Rather, it’s a moment for introspection, to reflect on the path we’re on and strive to be stronger soldiers in Christ’s army, willing to die for the gospel if necessary. Are we there yet?
ABOUT DR. ROSE-ANN SMITH
Inspiring Minds, Empowering Voices, Transforming Lives
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith is an educator, author, and motivational speaker who finds joy in writing, singing, and inspiring others to pursue their goals with purpose. As a lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, and a Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation Consultant, Dr. Smith is deeply involved in research initiatives that focus on disaster management and sustainable development across the Caribbean.
Beyond her academic career, Dr. Smith is a devoted mother, Christian, and wife who draws on her personal experiences to inspire others to reach their fullest potential. She has written several book chapters, articles, and books spanning various genres, including faith-based and academic works. Her notable publications include her first children’s book, The Day I Became a Hurricane, which teaches young readers about hurricanes while promoting self-acceptance, and her second book, Not My Will But Yours Be Done: Activating Faith in Times of Sickness, which offers a deeply personal account of her struggles with infertility and breast cancer, providing hope and encouragement to those facing similar challenges. Dr. Smith remains dedicated to writing and sharing her stories, fueled by her passion for empowering minds through insightful words and wisdom.
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