Liv
Extracts of Truth & Encouragement from a Growth Journey with God
Clenched Fist or Open Hand?
It was 4:45 a.m. when I woke from a dream. I don’t remember what I dreamed, but I do remember vividly how tightly clenched my fists were in the dream…and when I woke up…so much so that my hands hurt. It took a conscious effort, once awake, to pry my hands open, which I knew needed to happen, as the clenched fist was causing me pain. I asked the LORD if He was trying to tell me something and if He wanted me to share it with you all. The answer to both was “Yes.”
WHAT DO HANDS REPRESENT IN A DREAM?
In doing some research, I found that dreaming about hands tends to represent an association between the dreamer and what is around them. I don’t remember who or what was in the dream; I just recall black. Well, I can tell you that my week has been peppered with “black” (darkness). The thought being impressed on my mind was how the enemy doesn’t want me to soar above my storms, as I wrote about in the last post (check out the link at the end of this post, if you missed it); he wants me fighting them. “Funny” how the enemy closes in hard, when you’re talking about stuff like that!
I believe my dream had both fists clenched, but what I remember is waking up and staring at my right hand, specifically.
“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”
Matthew 5:30 ESV
“‘For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I Who say to you, “Fear not, I am the One who helps you.'”
Isaiah 41:13 ESV
“Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.”
Exodus 15:6 ESV
WHAT WAS GOD SHOWING ME?
A day or so after the dream, I was talking with my mom, and the Spirit of God showed me that I was sinning. I had some desires concerning my dear kiddos that were so pure, yet I saw how I was taking responsibility for the timing of those desires. The darkness had rolled in, I’d pulled up my sleeves, and clenched my fists. My kids were/are worth fighting for! Yet I could hear His whispers through my clenched fists, the dream, and the conversation with my mom. His message?…
- I needed to admit my sin and turn from it.
- Don’t be afraid.
- My open hand is ready for the LORD to hold it.
- My right hand (symbolizing authority) was a clenched fist, wanting to control the timing of God-sized decisions, but willingly opening it to the LORD, shows my trust in His timing and rule.
- The LORD is the One Who shatters the enemy!
- An open hand is more effective in fighting off the enemy.
OPEN HANDS VS. CLOSED
In hand-to-hand combat, “The use of open hands…allows the arms/hands to stay relatively relaxed, which facilitates greater speed and power, and better reactive use. Closing the hands to punch tends to tighten up the arms, which creates tension and slows things down, both of which lessen impact potential. Additionally, closing the hands limits options; the user can only really punch. Opening the hands, in addition to relaxing the arms,…allows for numerous options for use of the hands/arms…the hands are ready to (as required) [slap], grab, push, poke/claw/apply pressure (fingers), or with training, use different aspects of the hands (palm, fingers, edge of hand, thumb and so on). Therefore, open hands are far more versatile. In terms of the physical result from use, open hand slaps can certainly cause as much, if not more, trauma than closed fist punches. By keeping the arms relaxed, power generation through the limbs is greatly enhanced, allowing not only faster strikes, but also the ability to apply ‘heaviness’ through the strikes. This aspect not only can cause trauma to the target, but can also have an effect on the psychology of the attacker by ‘shocking’ their psyche.”1
My sin is confessed, I’ve opened my fists of anger and control, which brought me pain, and released my hands to the One Who is faithful, is holding me, and promises to help me. My open hands have relaxed my heart and mind and have welcomed the work of the Spirit of God, Who fills us with His power (Luke 24:49). Much to the enemy’s chagrin, I’m locking in and soaring on the “wind” (Spirit of God)! “The ability to apply ‘heaviness’ through the strikes?” Heaviness and weightiness are definitions of “glory!” May God get more glory through these opened hands!
1 Kay, Richard. “Open Hand Versus Closed Fist – Practical Application For Public Safety.” Security Solutions, 12 August 2016, https://www.securitysolutionsmedia.com/2016/08/12/open-hand-versus-closed-fist-practical-application-public-safety/#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20open%20hands,of%20which%20lessen%20impact%20potential.
2 Comments on “Clenched Fist or Open Hand?”
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Liv 
God is blessing me through you. How often do I try to flee from the storms that threaten me instead of soaring high above them like the eagles. That verse from Isaiah took on new meaning for me after reading your blog. It was such a balm for my soul. Thank you! God has taught me so many lessons in trusting Him this past week. Reading how you’ve learned to let go and trust God in the storms you’ve been going through has made me wonder how many times I have faced a storm with tight fists; not realizing I was trying to fight the battle on my own terms and not fully trusting God to calm the storm for me. When the first hint of a storm is brewing, may my first thought and prayer be to reach up and grab God’s hand and let Him lead me through the storm as He sees fit.
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Wow!!! God is getting so much glory here! My eyes are flooding! I know your journey has been difficult, and I pray that, even if your storm continues, He will catapult you above it. I’ve watched you trust Him in various storms and know that is a path you, too, have chosen. I pray you will feel His Peace, as He continues to hold your open hand.
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