“Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.”

The world tells us: “Do more. Be more. Get more.” But what does it leave us with? Two hands full… and a soul that’s empty.

Solomon called it striving after wind. Chasing what can’t be caught. Reaching with clenched fists, only to find nothing secure inside.

But here’s the contrast: “Better is a handful of quietness…”
That’s not laziness—it’s meekness. It’s the kind of inward rest that refuses to grasp for more than God gives, refuses to fight to be seen, refuses to panic when things feel out of control.

This quietness—the rooted calm of the meek—is not weakness. It’s what keeps you from trying to grasp what only God can give. It’s what stops you from falling into comparison, ambition, and anxiety.

You don’t need to chase the wind. You need to hold on to the peace of God.

Release one area today where you’ve been striving in your own strength.
Name it. Pray over it. Then choose quietness over control. Whether it’s a conversation, task, or decision—let your hands reflect trust rather than tension.

Lord, I’m tired of chasing the wind. Forgive me for striving to prove myself, control outcomes, or measure worth by how much I carry. Teach me the power of quietness. Let my hands be open—receiving what You give, releasing what You don’t. I trust Your timing, Your provision, and Your care. Settle my soul in You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.