Our hands will tattle on us. What we do with them speaks volumes of communication to others around us. When I see clients for the first time I watch what they do with their hands while they tell their tail of pain. Many who share of childhood abuse fiddle with jewelry, their clothes, and rub their legs with their hands. Some speak of current challenges with a spouse and will wring their hands as if trying to squeeze water out of a rag. Some will clasp their hands so tightly the blood leaves their fingers twisted and white. Others still will talk about challenges that keep their hands "tied" to where they feel trapped and imprisoned by their circumstances.
What is all this telling me? Well, it's telling me that they have been "holding onto" this pain for way too long. When we suffer we suffer to our core. Our body reflects what words cannot express. Deep wounds that have scars unseen can find expression in our hands.
There are other expressions we use our hands for. Some speak of pride with a fist and some speak of hate through profane gestures. We say hello and good by with a handshake, and we tenderly smooth the hair from a loved one's face. We pat each other on the back for a job well done, and we hold others down when we cause them pain. There is great power in our hands and left uncontrolled there is the ability to kill with them as well.
Please consider your hands today. Are they a weapon for creating fear, harm, and torture, or are they loving tools to bring life, love, and joy? You choose what you will do with your hands, make a choice to use them for good.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17