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I hope I get this right…
What I get from this is give all the glory to God? I think for myself I need to release the grip on my life… I micro manage every aspect, which in turn brings on a lot of stress and that puts the focus on me and not on God. I need to concentrate on living and working for Him… By loosening the grip on my life and letting God direct me this will put the focus back on God where it should be…

 Posted by: Steve Helderle // December 14th, 2009 at 10:04 am>

It’s so hard sometimes to just give an open hand to God when you’ve lost everything. You can easily get scared something worse will happen but then you have to step back and think that as long as God’s there it’s all OK.

Thanks for the thoughts this morning Jud.

 Posted by: Jason // December 14th, 2009 at 10:25 am>

The original quote from Corrie Ten Boom really clarifies it and I should have added it. She took Swindoll’s hands and said, “Hold everything loosely, then it will not hurt as bad when God takes it from your hands.” Dang. What do you say when a Holocaust survivor tells you that?

 Posted by: Jud Wilhite // December 14th, 2009 at 10:46 am>

For me, it’s a dream. A dream that seems like it’s of and from God. But I’m learning that if it is from God, He may accomplish what’s at the core of that dream in a very different way than I have in mind. Or, it may be a dream I created and I need to hand it over to Him…to be content with His plans and dreams for my family which are even better…and He gets the glory, not me.

 Posted by: Drew // December 14th, 2009 at 11:34 am>

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 Posted by: uberVU – social comments // December 14th, 2009 at 12:04 pm>

i always think about those who have survived and lived through the Holocaust and think to myself that i have very little to complain about. its also a great reminder to hold things loosely.

 Posted by: Mike Foster // December 14th, 2009 at 1:38 pm>

Holding things loosely still means you are holding onto something. So as God gives, hold onto it and do your best as if it depends on you but when God takes away, release it freely as you are reminded that God has ultimate control.

Taking risks is a lot more intentional that way.

 Posted by: Sam Song // December 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm>

Honestly, I feel like I have released everything to God, yet it feels like it doesn’t matter sometimes. It seems as though I’m left alone holding nothing. Am I deceiving myself? Or is this part of the process?

 Posted by: Kenyon // December 14th, 2009 at 2:00 pm>

I’ve always wanted to be effective, so I know I get annoyed if another person takes credit for something I think ‘I’ did. I’m not annoyed when the glory goes to God, because that is my aim, I guess.

Something I’ve learned is that we never know in a situation what God is saying to others. I have a job to be obedient to God, to respect and love others, and it’s his job to convert hearts. That is hugely freeing.

 Posted by: Laura Anne (@koalainscotland) // December 14th, 2009 at 6:39 pm>

I know in my head that God’s in control. But it’s really hard when you start to lose things, like a job or a ministry or a dream, not to grip those things you do still have more tightly. I have to remind myself daily, and sometimes hourly, that I should have no fear of the future, even if the future includes more suffering, if I really believe in my soul that God is in control. Yeah, so to me I guess it’s a issue of belief in His sovereignty.

 Posted by: Alan // December 14th, 2009 at 7:32 pm>

Great thoughts everyone. I agree Alan it is tempting to hold on tighter when we lose things. These lessons are so painful to learn. But I’m convinced that resting in God’s sovereignty is the only way to live. As they say, it takes way more energy to live with a clenched fist than an open hand.

 Posted by: Jud Wilhite // December 14th, 2009 at 10:08 pm>

I’m reminded of the great psalmists 38 Special: “Just Hold On Loosely, but don’t let go. If you cling to tightly, you’re gonna lose control ” Selah

 Posted by: Angus Nelson // December 15th, 2009 at 5:26 am>

@Angus thank you for exegeting 70s rock…Me thinks you might have a calling

 Posted by: Kenyon // December 15th, 2009 at 9:35 am>

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