Today, I want to introduce you to Connie Rowland from Master’s Hand Collection. Connie’s an artist who highlights sign language in her works of art. She always has hands, in particular, God’s hands on her mind. Her desire is for you to experience God’s hand in a personal way. Below is an excerpt from her new devotional 7 Simple Ways to See God’s Hand in Your Life. I’m sure you’ll find encouragement and inspiration as you begin to see God’s hand for yourself. Here’s what Connie has to say:
The burdens and worry of life are never far away. Concerns about family, work, health, etc., are a part of our everyday routine. They can sometimes consume our thoughts and actions, leaving us feeling beaten down, tired, and ready to give up. In this mind-frame, it can be hard to see God’s hand clearly.
Because that’s what we want most when life takes a turn for the worst. To see God’s hand in the middle of the mess and to know we are protected and safe.
This verse is one you might be familiar with. It is quoted often in church or at Bible study. But I’d like for us to take a closer look…
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Just cast all your cares on God and let Him handle them. But, in reality, it’s a difficult thing to do.
Of course, we want to cast our cares on God and know He has them under control. We want to do the right thing and take our worry, regret, and pain to Him.
The problem is, most of us are pretty good at taking them back faster than we left them in the first place. I know from personal experience.
We needlessly carry the worries on our own shoulders instead of leaving them in God’s capable hands.
But we don’t have to continue this crazy game of backsies. We can stop taking our cares back from God and receive the relief He promises.
How?
This verse from 1 Peter offers three easy steps to receiving the benefit of being Protected Under a Mighty Hand. So, let’s dive in…
The first step is, to humble ourselves.
Humility goes against everything society believes. They tell us we don’t need anyone; we can do it on our own. They teach us to have a can-do attitude and that our own power will get us where we need to go. They say humility is a bad thing. It will make us weak in other people’s eyes and it will put us lower on the totem pole.
But God doesn’t ask us to humble ourselves to make us feel weak or small. He knows that true wisdom comes from humility.
We are frail and flawed by God’s design. We are created to need Him!
And the only way for us to see the protection of His mighty hand is to humble ourselves and kneel before Him. It’s an act of total surrender and dependence on God. Instead of taking care of ourselves like the world tells us to, we put our lives, our worries, all of it, completely in God’s care. And once we are on our knees, we’ll be in the perfect place to crawl under His mighty hand.
The next step, casting our cares upon Him, is not something we do once, and it’s done. It’s a continual process of taking our burdens to God each day and seeking His wise and generous counsel in every problem we face.
God cares for us! He is concerned about every aspect of our lives. We are important to Him. And no matter how long our list of worries becomes, God’s mighty hand is big enough to hold them all! That’s amazing!
So, take your cares to God and receive His wisdom, mercy, and protection.
And the last step is to wait for Him to exalt us in due time.
God doesn’t leave us to face our burdens alone. His hand shows us great compassion through hardship and grief. It delivers us from the troubles and worries that threaten to overtake us. And God’s hand lifts us up and exalts us in His perfect time.
Under the mighty hand of God… that’s a wonderful place to be. Protected by the most powerful hand in the universe. Comforted and cared for by God’s grace. Carried through the burdens of life.
That’s where I want to be. How about you?
Are you ready to be protected under God’s mighty hand? Are you willing to humble yourself before Almighty God? Will you take your cares to Him and be exalted in due time? I pray that you will… because Protected Under a Mighty Hand is the best place to be!
Connie Rowland is the artist behind Master’s Hand Collection. Her art represents God’s hand in our lives by featuring American Sign Language. Each piece is lovingly created to encourage you in your walk with Jesus and to spread the gospel to those who don’t know Him yet.
Want to know more about God’s Hand? Claim your FREE copy of her newest devotional 7 Simple Ways to See God’s Hand in Your Life. And you can use the same link to view and purchase Connie’s inspiring artwork.
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And look up these great writers I link up with every week:
Mix it Up Linky, InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,
Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.
BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,
GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,
Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,
Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,
Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,
Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,
A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,
Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,
Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent
Cathy McIntosh says
Lauren, what a beautiful devotion! Thank you for sharing. I particularly love Connie’s words about humility: “The only way for us to see the protection of His mighty hand is to humble ourselves and kneel before Him. It’s an act of total surrender and dependence on God. Instead of taking care of ourselves like the world tells us to, we put our lives, our worries, all of it, completely in God’s care. And once we are on our knees, we’ll be in the perfect place to crawl under His mighty hand.” It’s easy to say that we should walk in humility, but here Connie paints a lovely picture of how to do it.
This post inspired me today. 🙂
Lauren says
I’m so glad, Cathy. Thank you.
Connie Rowland says
Hi Cathy! Humility is something God has been teaching me about the past few years. And learning to surrender completely to Him has transformed my life. I’m so glad this touched your heart. I’m saying a prayer for you to feel God’s hand in your life today. Blessings and grace to you!
Donna Reidland says
I was talking to the Lord about humility this morning. I’m constantly praying for Him to deal with my pride and self-sufficiency but sure don’t like it when He does! 🙂 Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
Connie Rowland says
Hi Donna! I echo that feeling…humility is hard in a world that celebrates self-sufficiency. But I’m so glad God reminds me to lean on Him as He teaches me these lessons. Thanks for the reminder to pray and give it all to Him. God bless! 🙂
Laurie says
Thank you for introducing us to Connie. I agree – having a humble attitude is a wonderful place to begin searching for God’s protection. I pray for help with that almost daily.
Connie Rowland says
Hi Laurie! Praying for you today! Blessings! 🙂
Laurie says
Thank you for sharing “Protected Under a Mighty Hand” with us, Lauren. I do need to work on humility and worry. These are 2 areas that keep popping up in my prayers. This is a beautiful encouragement to give our worries to God. He will handle them much better than me.
Lauren says
Yes He will. Thanks, Laurie.
Patsy Burnette says
Thank you, Lauren, for posting Connie’s great content and thanks to Connie for writing it! I usually find the casting of my cares the easy part, it’s the leaving them there that’s difficult. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Lauren says
I agree, Patsy!
Connie Rowland says
Hi Patsy! I struggle with it a lot. I guess that’s why God wanted me to write about it. Praying for you to see God’s hand in your life! 🙂
April says
A perfect daily reminder… “Under the mighty hand of God… that’s a wonderful place to be. Protected by the most powerful hand in the universe. Comforted and cared for by God’s grace. Carried through the burdens of life.” Thank you for this lovely post.
Lauren says
Thank you, April!
Sylvia says
What an insightful post! I need a lesson in humility. Thanks for linking up with us at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 36
Lauren says
Me too, Sylvia!
Becca | AnchoredAbode.com says
What a unique artist, I love it! It’s pretty fascinating to see how humility is the beginning to so much in the Bible–showcases our hearts well!
Lauren says
Yes. You are so right, Becca.
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Congrats! Your post is FEATURED at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 37! Party starts tonight, Wed, May-15-2019 at 9:00 PM CST.
Lauren says
Thank you so much!!!! I will promote like crazy. laurensparks.net