When God Hammers a Point in Your Life Circumstances

Recently we said goodbye to my dear mother-in-law. It has been a time to reflect on her life and her ministry to others. She had immense impact on those around her.

Our pastor chose to preach her funeral sermon on her confirmation verse:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

As I listened to these familiar words, the thoughts running through my mind centered on how I know these Scripture words to be true, but I seem to easily forget their impact on my life. While my pastor spoke of my mother-in-law being fearless – living her life of faith and knowing that her eternal destiny was already set because of her faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour – many thoughts ran through my brain.

Would someone call me fearless? How is it that I seem to feel weak so often? How do I move forward in faith and in confidence?

As God tends to do, He sent me reminders in the following days about the impact of fear in my life. I opened up a devotional and there was this Isaiah verse. I started to read a Christian fiction book and in its opening pages the character quotes this particular Isaiah verse as well.

Obviously, this is a piece of Scripture that God is calling my attention to at this point of life.

This verse is a call to action. We basically have a choice – let fear run rampant or choose to let God take control.

That can be immensely difficult to do when we explore today’s media. Accounts of school shootings or family violence happen. Statistics are given about the uprise in cancer cases. Family breakups are getting quite common. The economic situation is tenuous with trade wars and tariffs. On and on we are exposed to multiple things that can bring fear into our lives.

People fear for their health, their relationships, their job security, and so much more. Anxiety runs high in our society, even in young children. These fears not only hurt our spirit; they hurt us physically as well as stress exacerbate many ailments.

For me personally, the whole “fear not” concept is hard right now. Our household is making some major life changing decisions at this time. My job is high stress and high expectations. Winter driving is creating added stress to my workday. I could keep adding to this list. How do I not demonstrate fear in amidst all these things?

The answer lies in the second half of the Isaiah verse. Three words are used: strengthen, help, and uphold.

Back when we first planted our fruit trees, we used to tie them to stakes to help them grow straight until they were a larger plant. Without the support stake, the trees would bend and sway and not grow upright. The supports were a necessary means of strength as they grew into maturity.

God’s strength is like that. He is the stake we can lean on for support. With His strength bracing us we can withstand the storms of life so much better. He guides us in the right direction and gives us the support we need to reach our eternal destination with Him.

God is also a source of constant help. We are never out of His reach or scope. He gives us His Word with encouragement and guidance for our life situations. We have the means to commune with Him through prayer. God stands beside us throughout our lives, like a parent holds a toddler’s hands as they learn to walk.

Finally, God says He will uphold us. This word has so much to say to God’s intervention in our daily lives. God promises to sustain and preserve us. We are not left to our own devices. God will give us what we need when we need it in order to navigate our life circumstances. Uphold also means to protect. God will protect us from the devil’s efforts to dissuade us in the faith and in this life.

Our world is a fearful place. One suggestion that I am taking to heart is to let go of some of my media interactions and instead focusing more on the support that God’s Word provides. When fear threatens to overtake me, I take time to regroup and think about what this Isaiah verse is really telling me.

God is sure and certain – all the time. He doesn’t make empty promises. He doesn’t leave us set adrift in a sea of troubles. No matter what we are facing in this life, He is there – strengthening, assuring, assisting, nurturing, and loving.

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