“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)

If you look back into my archives, you will find this verse used more than once as a jumping off place for blogs. That is because it is significant in my life. I will share the whole story but in the short version.
About five years ago, I was teaching Vacation Bible School. Isaiah 41:10 was our memory verse for the day, so I memorized it. It was a Wed. It was a day forever etched into my memory.

That night I was awakened by a phone call. The caller said my son Ryan had a brain bleed and was in the ER. He had lost half of his eyesight. I had a 2 hour drive to get to him. During that long stressful drive, this verse was the thought I dwelled on, and it became the hope of my heart.

I meditated on the verse for days. After testing, brain surgery, and a pathology report, we had the answer we dreaded. Ryan had brain cancer. The tumor was completely removed, and the prognosis was good. So I held on to this verse.

About two years later Ryan called to say that a follow up MRI had shown another tumor. He was going back in for surgery ASAP. Again this verse became the center of my thoughts, and God used it to increase my trust in Him. I remembered lessons I had learned two years earlier. I remembered miracles God did through the situation. I remembered the love and kindness that poured out as Ryan suffered through this terrible disease. It was not easy, but I knew I could trust God.

Now about three years later, our family is again in the midst of Ryan’s ongoing battle against brain cancer. He had another tumor removed this week. From the initial reports, we believe he will have to undergo chemo and radiation again. This news is sad and at times almost overwhelming. Future difficulties abound. But I do not lose hope.

The Creator, the Giver of Life, The Eternal One, is my God. I do not need to fear for He is with me. I should not be dismayed for the I AM, the Existent One, the God who is there, is in a personal relationship with me. He will strengthen me, and He will uphold as I face every difficulty in my future. He will do what is right and in power and strength, He will carry me through every difficulty I face.

Because He says, “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)