August 4, 2026
After a friend disclosed something heavy on their heart, I found myself searching for a Bible verse that would apply to the deep disappointment that many of us experience these days, and one of the most oft-quoted verses came to mind: “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).
This was followed by Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I was thinking about the word “dismayed” and looked up what it means. Here’s what came up:
The word dismayed means feeling upset, worried, or disappointed because of some unwelcome situation or occurrence. It often describes an emotional reaction of unhappiness, alarm, or distress in response to bad news or unexpected problems. For example, someone can be dismayed by a friend’s betrayal or by a sudden change of plans that brings disappointment or concern.
Dismay, disappointment, betrayal, disheartened. I suppose there are many things that we can be dismayed by—people, the world, others’ actions, our own lacks, deep losses. Perhaps that is why the Lord says to not be dismayed, followed by His reason: “I am your God.” Nothing else can measure up. Nothing else can hold up. Nothing else can endure. Nobody, no values, no promises, no best intentions. Only God. And in the face of the stumbles, hurt, evil, and all the other things, He promises to strengthen us, help us, and uphold us.
Then another verse came to mind: “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).
Sometimes the burdens feel like they are getting heavier these days, though I believe that doesn’t make any difference to the Lord and His ability to sustain us. And as we relinquish the cares that are too heavy for us to bear into His capable hands, He can keep our hearts from being moved.
I pray, dear Jesus, that You give each of us the grace, peace, and strength we need for today and every day. Amen.—Julie Vasquez
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God’s promise, “I will strengthen you,” is packed with more meaning than meets the eye. In the original Hebrew, the verb translated “to strengthen” entails making someone stronger and stronger; it means “to grow and develop; to prevail; to have or show courage; to seize, grasp, and keep hold of.” God was aware of His people’s weaknesses; He used everything in their personal experience and journey of faith to develop strength and courage in them. ...
That same awe-inspiring power … is still available to us today through a relationship with Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:13). If we are born of God’s Spirit, Jesus is our source of strength to overcome the trials and temptations of this life (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4). …
Some days, believers may feel … abandoned, rejected, disheartened, alone, and afraid. If you need God’s strength today, remember His comforting assurance: “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).—Got Questions1
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The mother’s eyes filled with tears after she heard she couldn’t go back into the operating room with her toddler. As the little girl’s operating room nurse, I did my best to assure this mother that I would take the very best care of her daughter.
I was sincere about my assignment, and I nurtured her daughter as if she were my own. …
As I continued to think about how the mother might be feeling as she sat in the waiting room, I wondered if she knew God and His promises found in Isaiah 41:10: “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.”
As I had the honor of holding her daughter’s hands in the operating room, she had the opportunity to be strengthened, helped, and upheld by God’s hand. If she didn’t know God already, I prayed she would come to know Him.
Throughout the Scriptures, God reminds us of the ways He cares for us and is present with us in every situation:
First Peter 5:7 encourages, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
My friend, whether it’s your child, your career, a conflict, or a condition that you’re concerned about today, do not fear or be dismayed. Hear God’s reassurance that you do not have to be anxious—but if you find that you are, cast those anxieties onto Him. Ask Him to help you walk confidently into every room and face every situation with calm in your heart, knowing He is present with you. The One whose peace transcends all understanding is upholding you with His righteous right hand.
Dear God, thank You for Your presence and the peace You extend to me in every situation. May I be fully aware of it, accepting of it and assured in it. Your Word sustains me, and I know I’m in good hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Tracie Braylock2
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“Look, Auntie Amy, look!”
My niece had climbed to the top of a platform at the playground, and she stood waving at me excitedly.
“Wow! Good for you!” I said as I came closer until she was within arm’s reach. “Here, jump to me!”
She giggled and leaped from the waist-high platform into my waiting arms. I spun her around as we laughed together. Then I put her down and she immediately ran off to the sprinklers in another area of the park.
A couple of minutes later, I watched her and her friends climbing up the ladder of a little slide. She hesitated. She was a little scared about going down, so I reached out to her again.
“Here, come to me!”
“But, Auntie Amy! What if you drop me?! What if I fall?!”
I laughed. “But, sweetie, you trusted me to catch you before, you know I won’t drop you!”
She jumped. I caught her.
I chuckled as they all ran away again to play. “That was an odd mix of reactions—unafraid one minute and afraid the next,” I thought.
But then the Lord spoke to my heart, “Aren’t you like that with Me sometimes? How many times have I caught you? How many times have you trusted Me and leaped into the unknown, and I’ve brought you to a safe and better place? And yet, sometimes you still doubt. Sometimes you beg Me to not let you fall. Have I ever?”
Bible verses then came to my mind about the Lord’s continued faithfulness in spite of our mistrust or fear, such as: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
My lack of trust has never caused God to be unfaithful. My fears won’t ever weaken His hands. He has asked me to take many steps of faith for Him, and no matter how nervous I felt, when I jumped, He always caught me.
Take the jump! He’ll catch you.—Amy Joy Mizrany
Published on Anchor August 2026. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by Michael Dooley.
1 “What does it mean that God will strengthen you (Isaiah 41:10)?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/God-will-strengthen-you.html
2 Tracie Braylock, "You’re in Good Hands," proverbs31.org, January 3, 2025, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2025/01/03/youre-in-good-hands
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