Open HandsSample
![Open Hands](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F3800%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Letting go of Bitterness
Miriam Webster defines bitterness as “caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret”; with a definition like that, who can’t relate? Maybe it is the unexpected death of a loved one. Maybe it is the wrongful loss of a job, or the long road of unemployment you currently walk. No matter what loss or death of dream we face, bitterness is always a temptation; yet the scriptures tell us there is another path to take.
In Psalm 34, we find a man who is no stranger to heartache. David made his share of mistakes, and had many things happen to him that weren’t his fault, yet his response to both is the same: “I will bless the Lord at all times” (Ps 34:1). Rather than choosing to clinch his fist in bitterness and turn from God, he opens his hand in praise to the very God who formed him and will continue to guide his every step. David makes the decision to not allow emotions or circumstances to rule in his life: He chooses to bless God.
How might I choose blessing over bitterness in my own story? How might I choose to lift my hand in praise rather than shaking my fist over things I can’t change? May our praises be more than mere adoration but an act of faith and obedience, trusting the God is faithful, no matter how I feel.
Have you fallen into the trap of allowing bitterness to take root in your heart? Put a name on that bitterness and give it to God. Ask God to give you blessings in place of the bitterness.
Miriam Webster defines bitterness as “caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret”; with a definition like that, who can’t relate? Maybe it is the unexpected death of a loved one. Maybe it is the wrongful loss of a job, or the long road of unemployment you currently walk. No matter what loss or death of dream we face, bitterness is always a temptation; yet the scriptures tell us there is another path to take.
In Psalm 34, we find a man who is no stranger to heartache. David made his share of mistakes, and had many things happen to him that weren’t his fault, yet his response to both is the same: “I will bless the Lord at all times” (Ps 34:1). Rather than choosing to clinch his fist in bitterness and turn from God, he opens his hand in praise to the very God who formed him and will continue to guide his every step. David makes the decision to not allow emotions or circumstances to rule in his life: He chooses to bless God.
How might I choose blessing over bitterness in my own story? How might I choose to lift my hand in praise rather than shaking my fist over things I can’t change? May our praises be more than mere adoration but an act of faith and obedience, trusting the God is faithful, no matter how I feel.
Have you fallen into the trap of allowing bitterness to take root in your heart? Put a name on that bitterness and give it to God. Ask God to give you blessings in place of the bitterness.
Scripture
About this Plan
![Open Hands](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F3800%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Laura Story believes that “Worship in its very core begins with surrender.” In this 7-Day devotional Laura unpacks what it means to live life with Open Hands. She says “Open Hands is something I’ve been learning on so many different levels. The crazier life gets, the more this idea of ‘open hands’ became the theme that God was teaching me.” In this devotional Laura Story shares her heart on the biblical application of living a life with Open Hands as expressed through the songs on her album “Open Hands”.
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