My Hands Hurt

For most of my adult life, I have been holding on too tight. Holding on to things that seem, now not to be so important: other people's opinions, accolades and commendations from jobs, past hurts, and the list goes on and on. And, just when I do let go, my hands find something else to latch on to. It is both never ending and never healthy. In striving for what the world has declared to me as being important, I have caused more stress for myself than Jesus ever intended me to endure. By holding on and not willing to let go, I have missed experiencing a more peaceful and fulfilling life. It has taken me too long to finally discover one of God's beautiful truths: sometimes it is okay to let go.

The Book of Proverbs is full of valuable advice and guidance for day to day living. In particular, is the advice we find about letting go. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (3:5-6). Sounds reasonable, doesn't it? Just trust God. But His word goes so much deeper than that. The writers of Proverbs uses the word "all" twice in this passage, and there is an important reason why. In trusting God, we are often selective as to what and who we trust Him with. We have strong faith in certain things and live in fear when it comes to other aspects of our lives.

Notice it says you are to trust God with all your heart. Not some of it. Not just the easy decisions and challenges, but ALL of it. Even 99% is not enough. Many may say, "How can God not be pleased when I give him all but a little piece of my heart?" "He has most of it!"

The reason is because our God is a jealous God. Read Exodus, Deuteronomy and Joshua. However, we should not think of this type of jealousy in a worldly sense. God is jealous in that He wants to bless every part of your life. Not just some or even a majority. He wants to be with you in all ways and for all things. There is nothing too great or too small. He care so much for you there is nothing He does want to be able to guide, direct, listen to, love, correct and uplift you.

He knows my hands hurt from holding on too long and I am finally accepting His invitation to let it all go...

Pastor Aaron