Thankfulness | His Glory My Joy, a blog of Author Luana Ehrlich

Get A Grip

March 4, 2026 6 comments

I thought of the expression,“get a grip,” the other day when I had to face the reality of a serious medical condition that I’ve been dealing with for the past several months, a medical condition that’s going to require surgery to fix it—brain surgery.

The medical condition I’ve been having is Trigeminal Neuralgia, and the neurosurgeon at OU Medical Center told me that he would perform a Microvascular Decompression on my brain to correct it.

However, when I thought of the phrase, “get a grip,” I wasn’t thinking in terms of its usual usage, that is, I wasn’t telling myself to control my emotions so I wouldn’t have a breakdown when I heard what the surgeon said he needed to do.

This surgery requires him to remove a portion of my skull near my ear and separate the superior cerebellar artery in my brain from the trigeminal nerve that controls the feeling in my face. (This artery sits so close to the trigeminal nerve that it has worn it down on the right side of my brain, which is why it’s continually sending painful electrical shocks to the right side of my face, and unfortunately, I’m allergic to the medicines that are usually able to control this condition.)

When I heard what the surgeon said he needed to do, instead of thinking about the usual meaning of “get a grip,” I thought about all the Scriptures that assure me that God will give me strength and uphold me during the difficult times I face in my life—a promise He’s given to all believers.

Isaiah 41:10 is one of those verses: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Not only does God uphold me—that is, He grips me tight—He also tells me to hold onto Him—yes, He’s told me to get a grip on Him.

A verse that says this very thing is Proverbs 4:13: “Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.”

As I undergo this procedure and the recovery period that follows—which could be several weeks—I’m going to “get a grip”by holding on to everything God has promised me in His Word, all those verses that assure me that whatever He allows to come into my life has first passed through His hands and will ultimately bring Him glory and be for my good and benefit.

These are the same promises you can lean on to “get a grip” during the trials you’re facing. I’ve listed a few of those promises below, but there are many more in His Word.

Joshua 1:9—“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 73:26—“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Philippians 4:13—“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Categories: Anxiety, Believe, Bible, Comfort, Devotionals, Faith, Fear, Get a Grip, Glorifying God, God's Word, Personal, Proverbs, Psalms, Thankfulness, Worry Tags: Believe, Bible, Faith, Fear, Holding on, Personal, Trust God

I’m thankful anyway . . .

November 27, 2025 4 comments

Well, it’s Thanksgiving Day, and I’m sitting here with four stitches in my mouth after having some unexpected dental surgery. No, the timing isn’t great—I’ll only be eating soft foods today—but I’m thankful anyway.

While Thanksgiving Day has morphed into being much about food, football, and family, and less about THE ONE who provided it, that doesn’t have to be the case. Being thankful is an individual choice. YOU make the decision about whether to express your gratitude for the bountiful blessings you’ve been given, and you can do that no matter what your circumstances are today.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

I don’t know what your circumstances are, but here’s a short list of things I have encountered personally or counseled with others who have had to face these circumstances. There are always things to be thankful for . . . anyway.

Chronic pain or illness — even while managing daily discomfort, you can be thankful for skilled doctors, small improvements, or the strength God gives to endure.
Financial strain — when the budget is tight, you can still be grateful for daily provision, a friend’s generosity, or unexpected reminders of God’s care.
Loneliness — in seasons when relationships feel distant, you can be thankful for God’s presence, moments of connection, or the hope of new friendships.
Grief after losing someone — even in sorrow, you can be thankful for the memories, the love shared, and the comfort God provides.
Waiting for answers or direction — in uncertainty, you can thank God for His wisdom, His timing, and the doors He will eventually open or close.
Family conflict — though painful, you can be grateful for opportunities to grow in patience, forgiveness, and grace.
Workplace stress — even when tasks pile up or tensions rise, you can be thankful for meaningful work, supportive coworkers, and God’s sustaining help.
A difficult diagnosis — you can have gratitude for compassionate medical staff, treatment options, or the peace God gives when the future feels overwhelming.
Unexpected disappointments — when plans fall apart, you can still be thankful for God’s protection, His redirection, and the lessons tucked inside the setback.
A strained or uncertain future — even when nothing feels secure, you can be thankful for God’s promises, His faithfulness in the past, and the hope He guarantees for tomorrow.