Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Relax Your Grip

In Joshua 1:9, God says, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go". I don't know about you, but I see discouragement just about everywhere I go. I'd be lying if I told you that I haven't suffered my own discouragement, as recently as this past month. 

People are discouraged because their pain isn't going away. People are discouraged because no one is calling to set up an interview. People are discouraged because they stand in the window, night after night, ready to run with open arms and embrace a prodigal who isn't coming home. 

A synonym for the word discouragement is "hopelessness"

Relationships look hopeless. Marriages look hopeless. Finances have crumbled. Singles think finding a mate is just downright hopeless after all these years. 

Just fill in the blank: "I am discouraged because________________________." 

If you can't fill in the blank today, I guarantee that it will get filled, one day soon. It just seems to come with the ebb and flow of life on planet Earth. But Almighty God says, "Do not be discouraged". Are you thinking, "For cryin' out loud...how do I do that"? Me too.

I was reading Psalm 46 in my quiet time this morning, and came across that very familiar verse that says, "Be still and know that I am God". (Psalm 46:10) In the margin on that page, I have some notes that I must have taken in some sort of Bible study at one time. The notes reminded me that in the Hebrew language, the word used in this verse for "still", pictures a physical position. It's like letting your body go limp, or relaxing the grip of your hand. 

STOP! 

Before I go on, I want you to re-read that last paragraph. I want you to walk away from your computer, take a seat in your favorite chair, and think about what those words just said to you about your "fill in the blank" situation. I'll wait while you go...

I pray that the Holy Spirit spoke to your heart loud and clear. He sure as shootin' spoke to mine early this morning!

What I heard was, "Baby girl, take your manicured, pink and white, gel-nailed hands off that situation.  Relax the grip of your hand. I AM God!

Message received...loud and clear. 

We need to acknowledge that God is God. There's never enough room for two sets of hands on our situations. You may have been holding on for so long that your knuckles are white. Let God pry those hands off, one stiff finger at a time. Relax your grip and place your hands in the hands of God. 

His hands created the universe. His fingers wrote the Ten Commandments. His are the hands that stilled the storm and calmed the sea. They are the hands that gave sight to the blind, made the deaf hear, set the lame to dancin', and raised the dead. 

God's hands are strong hands. They are big hands. And most wonderful of all...His hands are loving hands. They will never hurt you. They will never release their grip on you. 

Every time you're tempted to grip tight, remember that there is pair of hands that have you and your situation held much tighter. Isaiah 49: 16 says, "See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands." That word, "engraved" means, "inscribed or cut into." God is holding you so tightly that you are leaving an impression, a mark, an inscription, on the palm of His hands.  His right hand holds you fast. (Psalm 139:10)

Be still. Relax your grip. He Is God. He's got you! 

Now there's the cure for discouragement if I ever saw one!




TheBetterMom.com  

49 comments:

  1. Beautiful post, Donna! Thanks for sharing it at The Alabaster Jar.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, friend, for such strengthening words. I have often thought that the word "discouragement" tells us the way of escape -- right in the middle of it is "courage"!

    I especially like what you said about us relaxing and still being in His grip. I need that for all my white-knuckled days.

    Nice to meet you today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. VERY NICE Donna, we seem to forget sometimes that He is God! Thank you for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is just what I needed today. I've been struggling with headaches for a month now. I feel like I am at the end of the rope with nowhere to go. It's easy for us to forget that we have someone else that we can lean on. I'm going to work at being still and knowing that God is going to take care of me.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Donna, you have such a gift, friend. Wow! I love reading your posts. I love how powerful God speaks through you. And as always, I have to share this with the world. I hope you don't mind. :)

    Hugs and love,
    ~Rosann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rosann. You are a huge blessing to me as well! Share away!

      Delete
  6. I love this, Donna. Why do we grip our fears, disappointments and hurts so fiercely? When what we need to do is "Let go and let God"! Thank you for this wonderful reminder!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  7. You gave words of encouragement for all our discouragements. With winter ending and spring/summer bringing pretty weather, I sit outside on the porch to do my daily Bible reading. It's so peaceful in the mornings, I am still, I feel Him there with me. He speaks words of life into my soul...Blessings <))><

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is my absolute favorite time of year. I do my quiet time out on my patio too! I feel so close to the Lord when I'm outside in the early morning quiet.

      Delete
  8. Thank you for that encouragement today -- I needed it. I have a situation that, just today, made me doubt God's good intentions toward me! I'm shocked at myself as I say it, but it's true. I too often limit Him by my own problem solving abilities. Thanks again for reminding me to "be still and know that HE is God!" Thanks for sharing this at Make Life Meaningful Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Spoken with authority! What a wonderful message and reminder that He is in control of every situation, every problem, every storm of life!
    Be still and know that I am God
    Be still and know that I am
    Be still and know
    Be still
    Be

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is something that I struggle with myself. I do not need to be strong because He is already strong for me! Great post. :) (Visiting from iFellowship Linky.)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really appreciate your explanation of the word still ... this physical letting go. Very helpful. Thank you for linking with GettingDownWithJesus.com.

    ReplyDelete
  12. smiles...nice expansion on the word still...i like that posture...and in the I AM GOD, i often have to follow it with 'i am not' because my discouragement comes more often when i pretend i am...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great message! Just let go and let God... AMEN!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This was so timely for me. A reminder that God is in control (which is so much better than me trying to do everything.) Beautiful post.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for sharing your story at: Tell Me a Story." Yes, we do get discouraged at times, expeciall when we are helpless our selves to change the situation - - But God. Yes, we cast our care on Him and trust Him to carry the load.
    We trust Him to bring us through safely to the othdr side.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Donna this is wonderful, thank you for sharing over at Workin' It Mondays! Our salvation and future in Jesus is enough to jump for joy- I love that the Lord lays out ways we can find hope and encouragement in His word. He is so wonderful :) Blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. If I couldn't rely on my Lord, I'd be pulling my hair out right now. BUT, I CAN, and HE's "IT". That will allow me to adjust to the physical/emotional challenges on my plate.

    Good reminder on your part... good heart planter.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wonderful post...to really let God and let God and try to feel that physical release is something i need to work on. Stopped by from this am's linkup!
    Michy

    ReplyDelete
  19. "There's never enough room for two sets of hands on our situations. " Liking that a lot. It's so true. And your image of prying off so apt. Thanks.
    Visiting from Grace Cafe.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a powerful message! Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a beautiful post! Coming over to visit from Thankful Thursday and I am so glad that I did! I needed to read this today. Many blessings, Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am going to print it out and put it into my devotional journal. What a great reminder of God's providence in all situations! Just loved... "Baby girl, take your manicured, pink and white, gel-nailed hands off that situation. Relax the grip of your hand. I AM God!" I am going to email this blog post to a couple of friends who are really discouraged. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure Gen! It's an honor to serve you.

      Delete
  23. What an encouraging post! Thanks for sharing and linking up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Such a vivid image, that relaxing the grip. It does not honor God for me to white-knuckle my way through life, and it doesn't even work that well, so why do I do it? Thank you for a fresh perspective on a favorite verse. I stopped by from the Antbed's Heritage linky list.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow,Beautiful,heartfelt,and encouraging post.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am going to RELAX in His hands today.
    Thank you for taking the time to share.
    God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love this reminder to relax my grip. I've been really thinking this week about "open hands", so this fits in perfectly. The Lord still speaks! Thanks for your part in helping me hear his voice.

    ReplyDelete
  28. He is so Faithful! Thank you for linking up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. You have encouraged me as I stop for a bit to visit. Just reading about being in God's grip put a smile on my face. I don't have to go on my way alone--or worry that my grip will loosen--HE'S gripping me!

    Blessings,
    Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is beautiful and a message I needed to hear. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What encouragement! We do need to be still more and relax in His presence. Thank you for the reminder and for sharing this at WJIM.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Only Satan can warp our minds into discouragement but God lifts us up and gives us encouragement. Thank you for reminding us of all the things God does and will continue to do for us. Wonderful Post!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This reminds me of that neat little saying, Let Go & Let God. If we only could do this all of the time, things would be perfect!

    Blessings,
    <><

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a powerful post...thank you for sharing this today. I had not thought about having two sets of hands on my situation...although control is an issue for me :). Good reminder that God has it all under control.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Why do we still think we can figure out all our problems by ourselves when it has been proven time and again that if we just let go of it and let God handle it, He is quite capable if we will just remove our hands and let His take over. Thank you for this encouraging post.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  36. Good lesson. And one I needed to read today. Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. He holds on to us and our situations. Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  38. What words of encouragement! I read today Ecc 9:10. When I did some further research it was about being content in the life you have. When we aren't content the hopelessness can start to take over. Thank you for linking up this week to Caffeinated Randomness.

    ReplyDelete
  39. It's like being in labor. You think it's never going to end. Technically, you know it will, BUT in the middle of it all that consumes you is the pain. And that's when that annoying birthing team comes alongside you and reminds you to let go of all the tension. Purposefully let it go. From your forehead to your toes. Wiggle your toes and release.

    I love this post. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wonderful words! Thank you for sharing! Your post was featured in the Weekend Whatever linkup!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for sharing these words of encouragement with us at The Becoming Kitchen Link-up!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks for Linking UP with us at The M.O.M. Initiative! LOVE YOU POST! Great words of encouragement and wonderful words of wisdom! :-)

    ReplyDelete