Mark 9:24 (NIV) Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
When do you find it really hard to trust Jesus with the “stuff” in your life?
Last week, my Bible study group listened to session 6 of a study we are doing of Psalm 119 by Matt Chandler. In this video, Matt talked about living life with open hands. Living a life like this means that we are to put everything – yep that’s right EVERYTHING – in our open hands (laid out before Christ) and trust Jesus to handle them.
Can I just be honest… this concept of open hand living is a scary sometimes. I mean, sure I can put things in one hand that I will trust God to handle…but in my other hand I keep things that I feel my need to control. Instead of open, I hold this “stuff” in my tightly gripped fist. Why? Why do I do this? Do I honestly think that I can control things better than God? I think my clinched fist is where my unbelief comes in. I think if we are all being honest, some things are just harder let go and let God – aren’t they?
So what typically happens to me when I hold on to things with a clinched fist is I get anxious or nervous – sometimes even angry about how “out of control” things seem. What I fail to realize is that there is not one thing in my life that God doesn’t see. NOT ONE! He knows the number of hairs on my head (Luke 12:7), He knows every word on my tongue before I even speak it and He knows every circumstance (Psalm 139) in my life. If I just open my clinched fist and turn over my stuff – all of it – I can walk in complete freedom without the anxiety or doubt that holds me in bondage.
Today, I am going to make a conscious effort live open handed. It will probably not be easy for me, but that’s okay. I have the power of prayer on my side. Every time I feel like I’m trying to tighten my grip, I am going to pray and open my hand back up to Jesus. Won’t you join me?
Father, I believe! Help me in my unbelief! Your word says you will keep me in perfect peace when my mind is fixed on you. Today, I open both hands to you and lay everything – every circumstance, every hope, every dream, every desire, every hurt, every doubt – in your capable hands. Today will you help me be mindful of open handed living. When I try to take things back and control them myself, will you please make me aware so I can give it back to you? You are enough, Father! AMEN.
For me, the song The King of My Heart has helped me to live open handed. Click here to listen.
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