August 18
Held in
His Hands
“So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIrV)
Laura stared at the hospital ceiling, the beeping of the machines filling the heavy silence. The words of the surgeon still echoed in her mind: There are risks involved. Serious risks. She had nodded, pretended to be brave. But the truth was, she was terrified.
What if something went wrong? What if she didn’t wake up?
Her hands trembled as she scrolled through her phone, trying to distract herself. Messages from friends and family filled her screen—prayers, well-wishes, promises that everything would be okay. But none of it silenced the fear pressing against her ribs.
She closed her eyes, memories flashing through her mind—playing in the backyard as a little girl, her mother calling her in for dinner, laughing with friends in college, the birth of her son. What if this is the end?
Tears burned in her eyes. She wanted to be strong, to have faith, but right now, all she felt was weak.
A quiet knock on the door broke through the storm in her mind. It was Maria, the nurse. She had been kind to Laura, always offering a reassuring smile.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Maria asked, sitting down beside her.
Laura swallowed hard. “I’m scared.”
Maria nodded, as if she understood more than Laura could put into words. “I’ve been there too,” she said softly. “But you know what got me through? Knowing I wasn’t alone. God is with you, Laura. Right now. Holding you in His hands.”
Laura wanted to believe it. She really did. But faith had never come easily to her.
Maria pulled a small, worn Bible from her pocket. “Isaiah 41:10. It’s helped me in my darkest moments.”
Laura took a shaky breath and read the verse aloud: “So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right.”
The words settled over her like a warm blanket. For the first time in days, she felt a sliver of peace. Maybe she didn’t have to carry this fear alone. Maybe God really was here, holding her, just like He promised.
She squeezed Maria’s hand. “Will you pray with me?”
Maria smiled. “Of course.”
And in that moment, Laura let go. Not of her life, but of the fear.
Prayer:
Father, I am afraid.
The unknown is heavy, and the fear feels stronger than my faith.
But Your Word tells me that You are here, holding me, strengthening me.
Help me to trust You, even when I don’t understand.
Fill me with peace that only You can give.
No matter what happens, I know I am safe in Your hands.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
