How to Surrender to God When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

Surrendering to God when life takes an unexpected turn can mean letting go of the future you planned and following where you believe God is leading. Author Jerry Alessi shares how that shift took him from a career in accounting and finance into a life shaped by prayer, silence and solitude. He discusses his journey with host Amb. Elisha Arowojobe on The Elisha Show.

Key takeaways

• Jerry Alessi’s path changed from a successful career in accounting and finance to a spiritual journey he had not planned.
• His story includes a profound encounter with God and, later, four years living in silence and solitude.
• Prayer and letting go of control were part of his experience of spiritual transformation.
• Alessi’s journey is personal; it shows what surrender meant in his life, not a required path for everyone.

How do you surrender to God when your plans change?

In Alessi’s experience, surrender meant releasing control and responding to what he understood as God’s leading, even when it took him away from the future he expected. His journey began with a career in accounting and finance and turned toward a different kind of life.

His story does not offer a step-by-step formula. It gives a concrete example of a major change in direction: Alessi moved from worldly career expectations toward prayer, silence and solitude. The central idea is that surrender can involve being willing to follow an unexpected path.

What did Jerry Alessi experience during four years of solitude?

Alessi spent four years living as a hermit in silence and solitude, with prayer and spiritual transformation forming part of that period. He describes this time as part of a larger journey of discovering who he was beneath the expectations of the world.

That detail makes his story more specific than a general call to “slow down.” Solitude was a defining part of his own experience; the account does not present it as something every person must do to grow spiritually.

How can prayer help when you are letting go of control?

In Alessi’s story, prayer was part of the years he spent in silence and solitude and of his spiritual transformation. His experience connects prayer with a period of letting go of control and seeking a deeper understanding of himself.

He does not describe a universal method or promise a particular outcome. Instead, his journey illustrates how prayer can sit within a personal process of surrender and change.

Why did Jerry Alessi write Hermit: My Journey with God into the Silence?

Alessi’s book, Hermit: My Journey with God into the Silence, draws on his journey into silence and solitude. His story also reflects the belief that each person has a story worth sharing.

That perspective connects the book to more than the unusual details of his path. It frames personal experience as something that can be shared, while leaving readers to consider their own relationship with faith and life changes.

About Jerry Alessi

Jerry Alessi is the author of Hermit: My Journey with God into the Silence. His journey includes a career in accounting and finance, a profound encounter with God, and four years living as a hermit in silence and solitude.

Frequently asked questions

What does surrendering to God mean?

In Alessi’s experience, surrender meant letting go of control and following what he understood as God’s leading, even when it meant moving away from the life he had expected. His story presents surrender as personal, rather than as a single method everyone must follow.

Did Jerry Alessi leave a career in finance?

Alessi’s journey moved from a successful career in accounting and finance toward a different spiritual path. His story describes a major change in direction, but does not give specific details about the timing or practical circumstances of leaving his career.

How long did Jerry Alessi live in silence and solitude?

Alessi spent four years living as a hermit in silence and solitude. Prayer and spiritual transformation were part of that period in his journey.

What is Jerry Alessi’s book called?

His book is titled Hermit: My Journey with God into the Silence. It is connected to his experience of living in silence and solitude as part of his spiritual journey.

Listen to Jerry Alessi’s full conversation with Amb. Elisha Arowojobe on The Elisha Show to hear more about surrender, prayer and his journey into silence.