Holding Hands with God.

Can we really depend on God to be the God scripture claims? In other words, can we really trust God to be with us and by our sides throughout whatever life deals us? Or do we allow the cares of the world to completely choke the life out of us?

Anxiety suggests feelings of fear and apprehension. Worry implies persistent doubt or fear. Care denotes a state of mind burdened by heavy responsibilities. Concern stresses serious thought combined with emotion.

Are you anxious? Worried? Concerned? Have you ever held hands with God? Sometimes I close my eyes when I pray and I imagine introducing Jesus to every person that I care or am worried about. I actually place their hand in the hand of Jesus and say, "Jesus, this is my wife (or whomever) and I want you two to meet." I then place her hand in the hand of Jesus. I watch the two join hands and I release the person to God. The idea of holding hands with God is comforting and profound; being held by the hands of God is even more profound.

Scripture teaches that we ought not to be overly anxious about life’s basic necessities or for trivial, unnecessary things, and for the cares of this life. "Banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body." EC 11:20 or "In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life." 1 CR 7:32

Worry never can prevent disaster, but it is great at preventing joy.

Sometimes we grip and clutch fear instead of the hand of Jesus. Perhaps when we are afraid we need to let go of the fear by gripping the hand of Christ more tightly. I am not suggesting that we do not have real life burdens and trials nor do I intend to trivialize pain and suffering, but I think there is a lot of truth in the acronym F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real. There is an old saying, "To be afraid is to have more faith in evil than in good." Fear that robs us of our joy is evil and not of God. "I cried out, "I'm slipping!" and your unfailing love, O LORD, grabbed my hand. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." Psalm 94:19

Can I trust God boldly to comfort me and renew my hope? Scripture encourages us to give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. Do you open your hand to God?

I think the choice is mine; I get to decide who God is going to be in my life by making the decision to turn my life and my will over to the care of God as I understand God. This doesn't mean that my life becomes suddenly better, but it does mean that I have invited the Lover of my soul to hold hands with me..

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." This seems like some good advice. Prayer centers us in God where we belong not in our fear and anxiety. God is present and I belong to God--so do you. May we hold hands with God.