*Upheld By God*

…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)

Father,

There are so many times when I am tempted to fear. There are so many times when life is bigger than me -‐ when I can’t control what is happening to me or around me. In those times I am tempted to be dismayed. To shrink back in fear and timidity. To sink into a fearful, useless self-‐pity.

Help me to put strong faith in you when it seems like my world is falling apart. I thank you that you are with me. Always. There is never one second when you, the Almighty God, the World Maker, the Sovereign Ruler of All, are not with me. Regardless of what I feel like, you really are with me. Regardless of how the circumstances appear, you really are with me. Your constant presence stills my raging fears. Your faithful presence calms my dismayed heart.

When I cannot understand what is happening around me, you are my God. When the future looks hopeless, you are my God. When my strength is drained, you are my God. When all earthly joys are stripped away, you are my God. Though my body give way and I look death in the face, you are my God. You are my God.

I look to you for strength, believing that you will strengthen me. You must uphold me. You must lift me up. You must strengthen my failing spirit. Lord, I reject the Satanic lie that you have deserted me. I firmly believe that you are with me. I firmly believe that you will sustain me. I firmly believe your promises. Your promises are the pillars that uphold my faith. Your promises are the foundation that keep my faith from crumbling. Lord I believe, help my unbelief. When I am burdened beyond what I can bear, I lean on you to uphold me. I give the crushing weight of my fears, cares, burdens, and heartaches to you. I am too weak to carry them, but you are able. Though my burdens seem heavy to me, they are light to you. You easily carry them. So I cast all my carries, worries, and burdens to you. Amen.