Does the Posture of Our Hands Reflect the Posture of Our Heart?
My poor posture in sixth grade probably had something to do with boys. I towered above them, so I slumped in an effort to conceal my height.
“Straighten those shoulders up!” was an admonition I heard from my dad often during my adolescent years.
By the last two years of high school though, I’d finally outgrown my insecurity and recognized that height had its advantages. I had to work to overcome my slouching habit, but I did it.
My battle with posture came full circle this year when I noticed an uncharacteristic droop to my shoulders. Because I’m older (and possibly weaker?) and spend hours slumped over a computer writing, I needed to remedy my posture once again.
I bought a posture trainer to wear. The little device buzzes when I’m not properly aligned. Yes, my dad’s admonition lives on in the form of modern technology.
Posture During Praise
Perhaps because of my long-time posture awareness, a guest music leader at church grabbed my attention when he claimed: “The posture of our hands reflects the posture of our heart.”
It was an effort to encourage the congregation to adopt the posture of lifting our hands during praise time.
What the leader said gave me pause. Reserved by nature, I don’t lift my hands during corporate worship. Yet, my heart posture is fine. It’s lifted and open, and love flows between God and me.
I’m not bothered when others lift their arms in praise, but I feel that doing so myself might draw unwanted attention my way. So even though I’d like to at times, I resist.
I wondered what the Bible had to say on the subject. One of the first verses I read was, “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4 NIV).
And this one: “I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” (Psalm 143:6 ESV).
I know what it feels like to thirst for Jesus and to metaphorically reach for Him.
I also know what it’s like to pray fervently to Jesus with my palms turned upward in supplication: “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your most Holy Place” (Psalm 28:2 NIV).
But I don’t do these things in public.
Should I?
While the hands can certainly reflect the posture of the heart, I don’t think it’s necessarily true that they do. God knows our heart. As far as He’s concerned, I suspect our heart posture is more important than our hand posture.
But could the posture of our hands affect our heart? Could lifting open hands and swaying arms more fully immerse us in the worship service? Would it open our heart even more?
After all, studies show that even a fake smile sets up chemical reactions in our brain that can cheer us up, lower our stress, and improve our immune system. Another study showed that hugging ourselves reduces physical pain, while another asserted that adopting a powerful posture (opening limbs wide, for example, or clasping hands behind the head with elbows spread) builds confidence and leads to decisive action.
So, using our hands to express joy during praise might lead to more meaningful worship. It might be exhilarating. It might free up some preconceived notions that keep us from fully immersing ourselves in corporate worship.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
God knows our heart. As far as He’s concerned, I suspect our heart posture is more important than our hand posture. Share on X
I had originally genuinely felt this post was coming from a deeper place like the one you yourself unfortunately mentioned, which was “envy”…Although envy is a natural human feeling, it doesn’t justify our reactions, reasonings, or responses to it. You mentioned you “envy” people who essentially are able to fully let go, surrender completely to the Lord regardless of who is watching, & lift their hands in praise & worship in the name of Jesus Christ. I know you didn’t say it like this word for word, I am speaking though truly from my heart, & as someone who worships the Lord like this in church, so more trying to explain to you people don’t do it for attention, it’s because of a much more meaningful connection, they don’t get to feel all the time. I will be 100% honest, I was not always capable of doing this, at times I completely was dead on set I was just not one of those kind of worshippers, perhaps I was even envious, like yourself. However, I didn’t try to justify why I couldn’t fully embrace the Lord, & show my undenying love for him, when he has never, & would never deny me. I didn’t try to “reason” with it, or make “excuses”. I too of course knows God Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, therefore is all knowing, ultimately knowing all of his creations, his children, even better than they know themselves. So instead, I prayed. I prayed for a change of heart. I prayed to fully accept God into my mind, body, spirit, heart. & soul, & serve his will indefinitely just as he would want..I’d pray all day every day & still do for a never ending list of things, because I know my work is never done. The war may be won, but it is won because of those he knew of who would be determined to fight relentlessly no matter what, always refusing to back down, or make up excuses for themselves, & were never ashamed for giving all glory to God, & displaying every ounce of affection & gratitude they had for they savior Jesus Christ. I don’t say this to brag, because trust me, very few choose this life, probably because it is definitely not easy, & definitely not for the weak. It will one day in time be worth it though, giving your all to God in life is worth everything & more. More than that’s beyond comprehension to mankind. So instead of trying to justify your answer online, or look for similar lukewarm Christian’s, or just settle with being envious, I encourage to fully submit yourself to Jesus Christ, & fully surrender your heart. There is so much freedom in worshipping him not just because others do that way, or because it’s advised to us in the Bible, but at the end of the day, doing so, sincerely feels good internally, & makes us feel closer to God Lord Jesus Christ. I will be praying you break through this barrier, amen 🙏
Thank you for your very sincere and thoughtful comments, Victoria. You have given me much to think and pray about.
Blessings,
Candyce
“Still, one of these days I’m going to let loose and get into praise music.” Candyce, after you “let loose” and lift your hands a few times, you may wonder why you waited. Once I joined others in corporate worship and raised my hands, I found it difficult not to raise my hands when I worship the Lord. Blessings!
The posture of our hands reflects the posture of our heart.”
That’s a powerful statement. Are we content with being observers of worship or do we want to participate in worship? I think that’s a question to ask ourselves every time we stand before God. If I’m truly experiencing God, can I remain passive?
Thank you for the question you ask.
I’m not talking about being passive or an observer of worship. I’m talking about singing without lifting my arms and swaying. I sing the words with meaning and sincerity. Joy bubbles in my heart. I connect with Him.
However, others in worship might see me as passive.
But that shouldn’t be my concern at all.
“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7)
For me, hand posture is important as a symbol of how ready we are to receive. We cannot receive God’s blessings with a closed fist…only with an open hand. While I don’t think there is a direct relationship between open hands in worship and an open heart, I like to open my hands as a sign to God that I’m open to His guidance and willing to be used by Him.
Thank you for this, Kelly. I like the symbolism of open hands indicating a willingness to serve God.
My hands are open during praise and worship. They might be clapping to a song or folded in prayer, but never are they clenched. But they’re not lifted in the air during praise either. I envy people who are able to do this.
Thank you for your input!
I’m so relieved to know I’m not the only Christian writer who doesn’t go all out with PDWs (public displays of worship). I remember standing during corporate worship at writer’s conferences and hearing Satan whispering “Why are you even here? Look around you; everyone else is smiling, swaying to the music with their hands raised in praise, and here you are; standing like your at parade rest. What kind of a Christian are you?” Well, my answer is an introverted one. Yes, the music and words stir my soul, but I’m not one to show much emotion in public. I may be filled with it, but I’m not about to show it. In my pickup, with Casting Crowns, the Gulf State Quartet, or some others playing loudly? I’m singing along, tears of joy flowing, and I’m just jabbering away to God. In public, I close my eyes and talk silently to the Father, heart to heart. Thanks for sharing this Ms. Candyce. You made my day ma’am.
I do the same when I’m alone in my car too. Trust me, nobody would want to hear me. I’m so happy that you understand what I’m saying and have experienced some of the same feelings. The Lord made us all different, didn’t He? Fact is, He knows us and he loves us anyway.
I confess that I am like you, Candace. I feel fully engaged in worship, but I typically do not lift my arms or hands. I’m sure this comes from being part of a tradition church where worshipers don’t show their praise in this manner. When I visit other churches that do praise by engaging arms and hands, I am not put off by it. I recognize there are many different ways to worship. I think God looks at our hearts, but leaves the decision as to how to be physically involved in worship up to us. “The Lord does not look at things that people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:9
Thanks, Katherine. The verse you added is perfect. As long as our hearts are sincere, whether we’re still in our joy or more outward with it, God is pleased. Still, one of these days I’m going to let loose and get into praise music.