Have you ever been held? We were all held as children and may not remember the worry free feeling of letting go and allowing your mommy or daddy to hold all of the weight of you. But, what about as an adult? Have you ever played the trust fall game? If you don't fully trust the person catching you or holding you, then your muscles are tense and you do all that you can to hang on in an attempt to control. You grip tightly and may be doing almost as much work as the person holding you. But, if you fully trust in the person's strength and commitment to holding you, you allow yourself to be held differently. You relax. You relinquish the weight of yourself into your carriers hands, and you trust.
This kind of trusting isn't done at random. You choose your carrier wisely. You study their strength and assess their trustworthiness. You consider their past successes and then make an informed decision. Will I allow myself to be carried by this person?
When I think of the God of the universe holding the whole world in His hands and yet, caring enough about me to hold me as well, I get chills. There is a peace we can experience when we fully allow ourselves to be held by God. Scripture tells us that he does indeed hold us in His mighty hands. So, sip some coffee and allow these verses to wash over your spirit this morning like a soothing balm.
Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Psalm 63:8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Isaiah 46:4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. Psalm 27:10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. Psalm 139:10 Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
No matter what you are going through this morning, if you have chosen to surrender your life to Christ, then you are being held my friend. Do you believe it?
Releasing Control
Sometimes we don't feel like we are being held. This is usually because we are still using all of our might to hold onto the thing that is actually holding us. Like in the illustration, we are hanging onto our carrier with dear life. But, in reality, we aren't helping them hold us. If anything, we are making it more difficult for them.
When we walk out on our own and make decisions apart from God, we are attempting to carry ourselves. It may seem that we can do this for a little while, but eventually, we will collapse. When we trust in our own strength to "get it all done" or "be everything to everyone". When we try desperately to fix other peoples problems or make sure that we are being seen for our good deeds. Those days when we cross the line of sin in order to save our reputation, avoid conflict, or appear to be something we aren't, we are carrying a load God never meant us to.
Walk in faith sisters. Trust that when we live in obedience, we are aligning our hearts with Christ. Messes will still happen, but we can trust God to put out the fires as he carries us up and over them.
Be Held
Being held is more than an acknowledgement that God is quite capable of holding you. It is a relaxing into His strong and dependable arms. It is an awareness of His strength and a remembering of His past promises kept.
Take a moment to remember the ways He has held up His promises in Scripture and to you.
Reflect on His character and determine if you truly believe He is able to hold you.
Will you be held today my friend? When we are held, our posture changes. Our frown lines dissipate into a trusting smile and our hearts ease. Be held.
Love always,
Jessica