Proverbs 3:27 - Open Your Hand
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I began my prayer time, the concept of sewing into friendships came to mind. I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me to scripture that defines deepening our relationship with the Lord as well as our neighbors.
As I searched through various scriptures focusing on the theme, I came across Proverbs 3:27, and something very poignant stood out to me. It is a fact that we should not withhold from our neighbors, and the power to do this is within our hands. I decided to start my journey there, so I moved on to Step 2.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here are the personalized sentence(s) that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, do not withhold your hand.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
As I close my eyes and begin to meditate on my sentence for the day, I suddenly realize the power we hold within our hands. I picture my hand in a fist. I don’t know what's inside, but I know I possess something of great value. Something God has placed within my grasp himself.
I think to myself, my hand is so small; there is nothing that could possibly be that big inside. But what the Holy Spirit is telling me is that what is small to me is larger than life to someone else. I see a glow coming from within my tightly clasped fist, and warmth starts to exude. My hand starts to shake as whatever is inside begins to feel like it is growing and will eventually escape. Finally, a strange question comes to me. I ask myself, “What am I holding onto anyway? What is inside my hand that is so valuable I can’t let go?”
Just then, it hits me. If I open my grasp, three outcomes could happen:
1) I lose what is inside my hand.
2) I feel less important because now, even if what I had wasn’t very spectacular, I am exposed, and now everyone can see I have nothing.
3) I let go and trust the Lord will replenish me with more and better, no matter what I had before.
When I put it into these terms, it seems evident that Options 1 & 2 will leave me in bondage to a fearful life. If I mentally choose to believe Option 3, which is to let go and let God decide what to hand me next, I have a chance at living life with a constant flow of abundance and trust, depending on the Lord to fill my cup daily. If I operate in the order that all things will flow through me from the Lord, and all things belong to Him anyway, then I am a constant conduit for His greatness and am fueled by His giving nature and ability to meet my every need. This, in turn, strengthens my relationship with him and provides a sense of safety in opening up and sharing with others.
I am completely and utterly free to release what I have without fear and living in full expectation that through the Lord, I will always be taken care of, loved, and seen. In turn, this becomes a very possible way of being to love, care for, and see others.
I have a question in my mind, so I proceed to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, what happens if I put myself out there and people don’t respond? Do I still spend time trying to get them to reciprocate or notice the love I give?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
”What you ask is sometimes difficult for you to discern. This is why you must pay attention to me. When I put something in your hand to give to someone else, ask - ‘Who shall I give this to today?’ I am always right there to answer. Sometimes, you will meet a need, but your needs will not be met. This is where you must come to me so I can replenish your soul. It may come through a new relationship, a hopeful encounter, a kind gesture from a loved one or stranger, or just a whisper in your spirit reminding you that you are not alone, you are seen, and you are loved. Make the effort to put out what you hope to receive, standing in expectation for good things to come. It is in this action you mirror what you like and long for. Connection. I will provide connections with the right people, places, and things to help guide you during your time on Earth. Just put yourself out there, knowing I will replenish you with each day. I will give you your daily bread, so do not dwell on yesterday; focus on the new vibrancy I can restore within you each and every day. Drink from my living water, which is my word, and believe my words and what I say about you. Nothing in this life is worth holding onto, so release any pain, burden, heaviness, or material thing into the hands I ordain, and look forward to a new thing I give you each and every day. You are in lack no more. But you must believe it and believe me. In that place of confidence, when you believe that I am who I say I am and you are my child, it is there where you will never thirst again.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Thank you for allowing me to let go, and I trust that you will continuously fill my hands with more than enough of you every day. Help me to step out in vulnerability, continuously giving to others, releasing everything I have, knowing if I make room for more of you, you will fill me up. Help me not walk in hurt, bitterness, or resentment, and know that by mirroring your nature, only good will come from that, even if the good is not within my current periphery.
I pray that I strengthen my faith and relationship with you daily, and know if I let go, you will fill my hands with more abundance as you promise in your word.
In Jesus' mighty name, I pray and seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus - Amen.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, let’s open our hands and release anything we are holding so the Lord can continually fill us up.
Let's choose freedom over fear in a relationship, and when things are not reciprocated, don’t focus on what is missing; instead, focus on what or who the Lord will bring into your life the day ahead.
Let’s continue to believe God is who He says He is, and trust that He will give us more than enough, so we do not thirst for the wrong things to fill us along our journeys.
Go forward encouraged that as we make more room for him, there is nothing that will separate you from the goodness and abundance he has waiting to give you, which never runs out.
God bless you. See you soon!
