Isaiah 41:10 NIV 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.
These words waited for me, pre-printed on the journal page where I now poured out my heart to the Lord. In His wonderful love for me, my Daddy made sure I would see the portion of His Word that would minister most effectively at the moment of my need. Why the need to be reminded not to fear?
Only a few days earlier, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and I still reeled from hearing those words. The upcoming major surgery wasn’t the issue. Fear of the cancer, however, engulfed me with such ferocity as I could never have imagined. What did I pray? Nothing that seemed to evidence a long-term relationship with my Lord in prayer. My prayers were definitely childlike, but not full of childlike faith, by any means. More like childlike fear, as the diagnosis invaded my every thought, twisting my grip on what is True. The perfect love of God casts out all fear1, but I was gripped by such fear that I felt I was being suffocated.
The tears flowed once more, even while I tried to record my tormented thoughts in the journal, hoping for any kind of help from the Lord. As I stopped momentarily, I noticed the above verse, and knew this was that perfect love breaking through once again. It was for me for right now, straight from the God Who said not to fear! In that moment, fear’s hold was disengaged, and spiritual vision returned, helping me clearly see God had not been the one saying this might be my last Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was the devil all along, the liar and father of lies, completely unable to tell the truth! Since he told me these terrible lies, I knew I shall not die, but live and declare what the Lord has done!2
As if that verse weren’t enough, when I read the entire chapter in Isaiah, there was God’s promise to me for this season of my life – beyond the Truth that He is my God and is upholding me with His righteous right hand. It was clear defeat for the enemies who had come against me, all glory to God!
Isaiah 41:11-12 NIV 11All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
After this amazing outpouring of my Daddy’s heart and promise for me, you’d think I wavered no more. I printed the verses to have them with me no matter where I was, reading them aloud throughout the days, being strengthened each time. Fear, however, did not roll over and play dead, but continued coming against me up until the surgery. Truly, His grace was sufficient for me. In my own weakness, His power was made perfect3.
Fast forward to the first post-op visit, a week after surgery: I didn’t expect the final pathology report during this visit, expecting it to take another week. To my surprise, after the checkup, the doctor said the test results showed all 23 lymph nodes were clear. The cancer had been contained in the uterus and no further treatment was/is/ever will be needed! The doctor’s report matches the report of the Lord already!!! Those who waged war against me are as nothing at all – just as His Word promised! Glory to God in the highest!
John 1:1-2, 14 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 1 John 4:18 2 Psalm 118:17 3 2 Corinthians 12:9
