Strength in the darkness...

"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." Isaiah 41:10-13 ESV

Fear not? God, have you seen the news lately? Have You seen the financial state the world is in? Do you know the struggles of a normal person on a day-to-day basis? Do you know the greatest fear I am facing right now is that I am powerless?

I have had my days lately where these questions have crossed my mind.....all the Lord what-ifs and whys. I have had the occassion where I am so stuck in those questions that I can't see beyond the mountain of stresses I have created around me. I will admit, it took a long time for me to realize what this verse means....and a lot of added burden created from my own meddling.
You see....He isn't saying that we aren't gonna struggle. He isn't saying that we are gonna meet every bill, every deadline. He isn't even saying that we will stay safe in our home tonight.
What I hear Him saying is that He will be there with me while I struggle through each of the situations I allow Him to be with me in. I hear Him telling me to be still and listen......know He is there. I hear Him saying that thru all that is going on in my life, in my head, in my world-----take His hand, feel His love and protection and know that I will be able to hold my head high at the end of this trial.
I am gonna share with you my biggest struggle recently. My son just got sentenced to prison. I cannot even imagine being in his shoes right now. I have heard all the horror stories of what happens in those places and that is my baby going in there. Now, my son has battled with me over Christ for a long time. Let me tell you.......He meets you where you are!!! All you have to do is ask Him in, even when you don't feel that you are worth His time, all you have to do is ask. My son asked!! Praise God, he opened the door and let Him in. Now, I am not going to speak for my son, but I will tell you what I have seen and what I have felt since this took place. My son was filled with fear and anger and he has now started a new life with Christ as his center and plans to continue that when he comes home. My son wouldn't have asked for a prayer to be said for him to save his life. I got a letter yesterday .... "mom keep me in your prayers and ask God not to take away the problems I face, but for the strength for the boys and my family to overcome this and get through." My son is no longer afraid because he knows his Father has him .... he knows that he can rely on Him for strength, comfort and guidance. He knows that at this time in his life when he can pull nothing more from himself, He will take him in His arms, wipe his tears and call him His own and help him through.
I don't know about you, but that just makes me think that if He can handle that kind of fear......I am reaching up!!! Take my hand, Daddy, and show me the way through the darkness when it falls. If I try to let go, just give me a squeeze and remind me that You are still with me. I love you, Lord and am so thankful to have such a loving Father!!