When I think of a Scripture passage that has sustained me through a difficult season, I keep coming back to Wisdom 3:1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThe souls of the just are in the hands of God.\u201d<\/p>\nWisdom 3:1 [NAB]<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In its original setting, this verse speaks of the righteous who seem lost to the world, yet are at peace with God. If even death cannot take us from his hands, then neither can the trials of this life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a short verse, but it holds everything I need: the assurance that I am held, that I am not alone, and that whatever I am carrying, God is carrying me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is something deeply comforting about knowing that my life is in God’s hands. In moments when circumstances feel overwhelming, when answers are not clear and the way forward seems uncertain, this verse reminds me that I do not have to carry everything on my own. Even when I cannot see what God is doing, I can trust that he is present, guiding me and holding me close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hands Wounded by Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In a morning meditation at the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae on November 12, 2013, Pope Francis reflected on these words from the Book of Wisdom. He reminded us that in God’s hands we find our true security, for they are hands wounded by love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of his most beautiful observations was simply this: “They are pierced hands.” He encouraged us to “entrust ourselves to the hands of God as a child entrusts himself to his father.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those words have stayed with me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe hands that hold me are not distant or indifferent. They are the hands of Christ, who kept his wounds even after the Resurrection. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
They bear the marks of a love that has given everything for us. When I place myself in God’s hands, I am placing myself in hands that have suffered for me, love me and will never abandon me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning to Let Go and Trust<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In difficult seasons, my instinct is often to hold on tightly: to plan, to worry, to seek answers and to try to fix everything myself. Letting go does not come easily. Sometimes it requires more courage than holding on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I cannot say that I always find it easy to trust God. There are times when I manage to surrender my worries and place everything in his hands, and other times when it is much harder. Yet I continue to strive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWhenever circumstances arise that leave me anxious, uncertain or overwhelmed, I find myself returning to this verse, reminding myself that I am not alone and that I can call upon his presence.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
I think of the image Pope Francis shared, of a child holding her father’s hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n