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April 13, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n From Tight Fists to Open Hands<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.\u201d Psalm 145:16 (NIV)<\/em><\/p>\n As I hung up the phone with my daughter, my mind started racing. I replayed her words and immediately began searching for a way to fix things. Before I knew it, I had slipped into my superhero alter ego, Captain Fix-It, ready to save the day.<\/p>\n Convinced my carefully crafted plan would work, I called my best friend, certain she\u2019d say, \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I would do if I were you.\u201d<\/p>\n Except she didn\u2019t answer. Well, now what?<\/em> Like a light flickering on, I realized instead of turning to someone else for help, I needed to get on my knees and ask the Lord.<\/p>\n As I prayed for wisdom and discernment to help my daughter, I felt the Lord leading me to do \u2026 nothing.<\/p>\n Absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n Deep down, I knew He was asking me to let this go. But fear began to spiral, and I found myself listing every worst-case scenario. One by one, I spoke each fear to God, counting them on my fingers until I sat there with an open hand.<\/p>\n In that moment, it all became clear. With tears streaming down my face, I finally exhaled.<\/p>\n On my knees, with my hand open, the Lord gently reminded me that I could let go and trust that the situation was already in His hands. In His kindness, He showed me that while a tight fist clings to fear, an open hand is ready to receive His peace.<\/p>\n Psalm 145:16 paints this beautiful picture of God: \u201cYou open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.\u201d<\/em> This verse reminds us that God holds nothing back from us.<\/p>\n Yet as I reflected on those words, I realized how often I hold back from God. When problems arise, I default to fix-it mode, rushing to solve everything on my own before I even think to pray. The more stress piles on, the tighter my grip becomes.<\/p>\n But you and I weren\u2019t created to cling to life with white-knuckled fists. Instead, we are invited to release control and bring our open hands to God.<\/p>\n Even in the moments when we think we know what\u2019s best. When we feel in over our heads. When the next step is unclear. With open hands, we can bring it all to our loving Father and place it in His hands. Because only when our hands are open can we receive all the Lord longs to give us.<\/p>\n Friend, whatever you\u2019re facing right now, I encourage you to kneel before your Father and open your hands in prayer. Don\u2019t hold on so tightly. Loosen your grip, and rest in His promise of peace.<\/p>\n You can go ahead and breathe that sigh of relief. You don\u2019t have to carry this alone.<\/p>\n Father God, I\u2019m choosing to open my hands and place every fear, burden, and unanswered question into Your care. Help me release what was never mine to carry. I trust You. Quiet my heart, and replace my striving with Your peace. Thank You for being a God who provides, holds me gently, and reminds me that I am never alone. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n Anyone who\u2019s ever been told they\u2019re good at their craft started somewhere. Maybe you\u2019ve felt the nudge to write \u2014 to encourage someone, share your story, or communicate God\u2019s Truth \u2014 but then the questions start swirling: Am I really called to this? Where do I even begin? How do I actually grow as a writer?<\/em> Friend, you\u2019re not the only one asking those questions. That\u2019s exactly why COMPEL Pro exists. It\u2019s a space designed to equip and encourage women like you to grow as writers while being surrounded by people who get it. Whether you\u2019re just starting out or ready to sharpen your skills, you\u2019ll find practical training, helpful feedback, and a supportive community cheering you on as you develop your voice and steward the message God has placed on your heart. And right now is the perfect time to jump in. Join COMPEL Pro today, and save 20% on quarterly memberships with the code SPRING20 \u2014 but don\u2019t wait as this special offer ends Saturday at midnight.\u00a0<\/strong>Come join us inside COMPEL Pro, and start turning that nudge to write into real progress.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s devotion writer, Teressa Shrewsbury, is a COMPEL Pro member and a winner of the annual Encouragement for Today<\/em> Devotion Writing Challenge. To find out more about COMPEL Pro Writers Training and how to become a member today, click here! You can also check out the COMPEL Pro community on Instagram and Facebook.<\/p>\n Proverbs 3:5, \u201cTrust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding \u2026\u201d (NIV).<\/p>\n Try to list the fears you\u2019re carrying today. What would it look like to place each one into God\u2019s hands? What do you think God might want to place in your open hands right now?<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 by Teressa Shrewsbury. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
TERESSA SHREWSBURY, COMPEL Pro Member<\/span><\/p>\nOUR FAVORITE THINGS<\/h4>\n
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