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 (ESV)

David’s Wednesday Word:

I don’t like the word “dismayed.” For me, it implies that I am upset, worried, or alarmed by a situation that I can’t control. It can even mean that I am struck with fear, dread, or consternation. I don’t like any of those terms.

Despite my feelings about the word, I realize that I have experienced it. I remember being accused of doing something wrong when I was serving as a chaplain at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The accusation struck me to the core. I was “dismayed.”

As I think over my life, there have been many instances when I have felt that way: when my youngest daughter died in a vehicle accident; when I had to apply for food stamps just to feed my family; when I missed a step a few years ago, took a hard tumble down a hill, and couldn’t walk without assistance. Those are just a few.

Isaiah 41:10 challenges me. It tells me to “be not dismayed.” Well … that is very clear.

Fortunately, Isaiah also provides the solution. The solution is God. God is with me. God strengthens me. God helps me. God upholds me with His hand.

When I embrace the reality that God, the Creator of the universe, cares for me and loves me enough to do all of those things, then I have no reason to remain dismayed.

So how should I handle that feeling if—or perhaps when—it happens?

For me, that feeling is like a thermometer. If I am dismayed, it tells me that something needs my attention. It reminds me to examine whether I am trusting God or trying to take control of the situation on my own.

Once I recognize that, I can go to the source—God. I can confess that I have been trying to carry something by myself that I need to entrust to Him. Through confession and repentance, I can realign myself with God and live with peace and purpose, even through difficult circumstances.

I may have to go through this process multiple times, but the struggle is worth it as I choose to trust Jesus with everything that happens in my life.

That is part of what it means for me to make Him Lord.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know that I don’t like to be dismayed. Whenever I am, help me to quickly turn to You for strength and help. Remind me that You are with me, that You will strengthen me, and that You will uphold me. I commit myself to You again as my Lord.

— David Beauchamp
Temporary Ministries