OnFireFit

open hand policy

Added 2024-11-18 12:00:01 +0000 UTC

Good morning!

Another aspect of praising God in and for all things is the “open hand policy.”

I just coined that but I’m sure you will understand and maybe relate.

There are many things, people, habits that we hold onto. We grip them. We hold on for dear life. We may not think of it that way, but that is what it is essentially.

As we open our metaphorical hands to God and say, “You give and You take away,” we can have things flow into and out of our lives in different seasons and times. I am telling you that it is incredibly hard. So much of the way we think is the stories we tell ourselves. “I’ll never be able to live without (fill in the blank).” We reinforce that story over and over. We visualize life without that thing or person. It looks and feels so painful. Yet, there are many things and people that God brings or allows into our lives for a time. And if we hold onto those things past their expiration date, we can be frustrated or even perpetuate pain that will multiple over time.

I find reassurance from the knowledge that if that thing or person belongs in my life, nothing can stop God from keeping them or bringing them back. And if they have fulfilled their purpose for me, even if it’s a bad habit that came about as a solution for some void in the past, I have the opportunity to let go of my grip and let God remove it permanently.

When we believe God is in control of everything but that He allows us to choose, then we can keep an open hand with Him knowing that He will work things together for good for us.

We can never see the big picture or the down-the-road scenarios. The only assurance we really have is in our unchanging, ever-loving, all-powerful God. Because of that, we can thank Him for this very thing or person He is removing. We can gracefully step aside and bend to His will for us. And in the process, we grow. We trust. We get closer to the One who knows exactly what we need at all times.

As I close, this song started to ring in my head. While it isn’t a Bible verse, the truths are embedded in these lyrics:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, perfect delight

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight

Angels descending bring from above