I heard the Holy Spirit whisper today as I was praying about what to write: “You can’t receive anything with a closed hand. Some have open hearts but closed fists.” Are you praying for God to bless you? Is this word for you? When I get a word like this, it causes me to have to do a heart check, “Lord, help me to “unclench” my hands… Help me to open them wide so that I can receive ALL You have for me… Open my heart AND my hands to receive and if unintentionally there is something deep within me that needs healing – please heal it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.” James 1:6 says:
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
and Hebrews 11:6 says:
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
I have heard of people who have had pain in their jaw, and thinking that it was a “toothache” have gone to see the dentist, only to discover that it was not tooth pain at all, but pain caused by grinding their teeth at night, which is something that people do when they are stressed out. What I’ve heard dentists say is that although a person may be able to maintain reacting to stress in their day, at night when all inhibitions are relaxed, stress comes out physically by the clenching and grinding of teeth. It got me thinking that perhaps we who are waiting for answers from God and wondering why we have not seen a manifestation from Heaven into the earthly realm may be unknowingly clenching our fists. The second part of Hebrews 11:6 says “…MUST BELIVE THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.” That IS a promise, but we have to “unclench” ourselves to believe it and receive it.
I find that when Holy Spirit reveals a Word to me as He did above, I have to ask God for clarity. I have to ask Him (since He knows me so much better than I know myself) what it is I am doing to clench my fist. I have to do what I call a “spiritual pat down” to check and see what needs healing so that I can bring it before the Father to help me deal with the parts of me I need help with… Does that make sense? So my conversation with Him is like this:
“Father, I don’t know why my hand is closed, please help me by prying my fingers open so that my palms can be turned upwards facing You. If there is anything that I have been withholding from You, I ask that You help me release it, especially if I’m holding on to something that is not a fruit of the spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Maybe we have been unaware that we have closed fists that are holding within the center resentment, anger, pride, unforgiveness, jealousy, to name just a few. Ask Holy Spirit to help you do a spiritual pat down of yourself and be open to what He shows you and when He reveals it to you, close your eyes and visualize yourself slowly opening up EACH finger until all are opened and you have given to God whatever You were holding tight to. Visualize God stepping forward and receiving it so that now your hand is TRULY empty and ready to receive ALL that God has for you. The awareness that we were holding on to something subconsciously without knowing it can be a painful revelation. Allow yourself to feel the LOVE of a Father who LOVES YOU and who (as you can see in scripture WANTS to bless you!). As you commit whatever it is Holy Spirit reveals to you about what you’ve been holding on to, in giving it to God you are releasing it and giving room to whatever God has in store for you. I believe that when we do this, we receive assurance of God’s blessings and healings by being filled with joy (at the release) and the peace that passes ALL understanding in knowing that we’ve recognized whatever it is, we’ve confessed it, we’ve repented of it and we now stand ready for ALL God wants to give. And believe me, we have a very GENEROUS Father, who finds GREAT joy in giving. How much greater Is it when the one you want to give to is at a place where they can receive?
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father, who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).
Just open your hand, and receive, all the while thanking the One who desires so much to bless you. Praise His name.
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