God Has His Grip on You
Club31Women is honored to showcase the winning pieces from the COMPEL Writers Training competition, featuring heartfelt devotionals written by emerging Christian writers. COMPEL equips women with the tools and confidence to write words that matter—and these devotionals are a beautiful reflection of that mission.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (CSB)
I’d been using crutches for weeks, and while I had quickly developed confidence moving around in most spaces, ascending and descending stairs was another story.
“I just don’t feel sure,” I anxiously told my husband. Despite my efforts, I was frustrated that I hadn’t gotten the hang of this mobility issue. “I need you to hold onto me.”
With nothing to hold onto with my own hands that felt secure, every single-footed leap from one step to the next felt like too great a risk; one I was almost too paralyzed to take. The only thing that rested my racing heart was knowing someone I trusted was holding onto me.
It’s interesting how I felt safe with the same grip on the same crutches on level ground. I held on and moved forward with barely an added thought. I needed nothing and no one else. What I had in my grip was enough.
But once the scene changed and I found myself in a new landscape, my grip on those crutches didn’t cut it. What I was holding onto no longer felt safe or sufficient. More was needed, something beyond the strength of my own grip. I needed someone gripping me.
Unsteady Seasons
Doesn’t this paint a picture of what life is like sometimes?
In one season, we move through our day-to-day lives holding onto the things—even good things—that give us security and make us feel safe.
- Certain rhythms and routines.
- Safe people or relationships.
- Soul-filling activities.
These good things can ground us and influence our progress in growth and life. They feel, much of the time, like enough.
But when a change of season occurs, an unexpected chapter becomes part of our story, or circumstances arise that make us feel unsteady and cause us to sway, those things may no longer feel like “enough” things. We may need more than even the good things we’re holding; we may need to know we are being held.
What if that’s the most important thing? Not anything we’ve got our grip on, but WHO has a grip on us.
You Are Held
Through the prophet Isaiah we are told just who it is who has His grip on us: it’s our strong and faithful God, holding us with His righteous right hand.
I don’t know who needs to hear it today, but, sister, God wants you to know He’s got His grip on you, and He isn’t letting go.
This verse in Isaiah reaffirms to us God’s reassuring presence, who He is to us, and His faithful power and promises. This is what secures us and holds our hearts steady in seasons and circumstances that unsettle and shake us.
Nothing we’re holding onto for security will truly and faithfully settle and secure us like knowing that the right hand of our God is wrapped around us. Thankfully, we are not left to the limits of only what we hold onto.
With this steadying truth buried in our hearts and flooding our souls with peace, we can take our one-legged leaps with a little more confidence toward the light of what we know; we can navigate the uneven terrain in life with some surety, and no matter how “off balance” we feel, we can fully know our mighty God will always be holding onto us. And He never loses His grip.
In His Word
Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.” (CSB)
Notice that this verse doesn’t say “if” we pass through trials, but “when.” Yet, what assurances do we have from God Himself during our seasons of hard things? Offer up a prayer to Him for His promises.
In Your Life
What in your life is causing you to feel a little unsteady today? Recite the truth of God’s tender, secure grip to your heart and picture yourself being lovingly held by His hand.
Let’s Connect
Michelle is a lover of words, especially God’s Word, and she loves to inspire women of all ages to engage and love its truth for themselves, too. Whether through writing, teaching, or gathering women around the Word, she delights in watching faith take root and lives flourish. Michelle is a two-time Proverbs 31 Ministries writing challenge winner, and has recently launched a brand new website. You can connect with Michelle there, on Instagram, or on Facebook for more daily encouragement!