~ written by Connie Dunmyer
Do you ever feel like you are invisible … to your spouse, to your co-workers, to your children, to friends, even to God? Have you ever felt like God ignores your prayers? Well, I have. And apparently, I’m not alone. Here is a verse from Isaiah. (I’ve changed the words “Jacob” and “Israel” to my name. You can put your name in there as well.)
"Why do you complain, [Connie]? Why do you say [My child], 'My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?'" – Isaiah 40:27 (italics and name added).
Isaiah 40:27-31 was given to me at 5 specific times of need in my life. Once in Oct. 1989 when I was dealing with some “new mommy” issues – post-partum depression, hormonal issues, lack of sleep, being “fat”, feeling invisible. Then again, a year later, Oct. 1990 after we’d been voted out of our pastorate, became homeless, and had the head of our district call us “damaged goods” to our face. And again in Dec. 1990 when we moved from one denomination to another, causing all kinds of questions from friends. Then in Sept. 2007, God brought me here again and I listed my frustrations... everyone & everything being stripped from me … my family was all pulling away, our friends were disappearing, we had no church, and clients were leaving along with their dollars. Once again, I received this passage again in Dec. 2022 when what we thought was a solid client, actually stole our software.
So verse 27 sounds very depressing. But it also sounds very real. And that’s just the point… because that’s where God meets us. At our very-real-pinpointed-need.
Verses 28-31 are very well known – and perhaps the more “known” of the verses. But the reason these verses matter is BECAUSE OF our need in verse 27. And so I “own” these words. I’ve been here so often, I can walk this path blindfolded. And frankly, that’s pretty close to reality … being blinded, I’ve been led by Jesus through some of the toughest and darkest experiences in life.
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Without realizing it until after the fact, God lived these verses out in me yet again just recently. I was in a place where I was surrounded by people who had hurt me – deeply. Yet, without even recognizing it at the time, I felt no fear, no anger, no pain, only joy – sincere joy. I was able to hug them, and with all sincerity of heart, say I was happy to see them. I didn’t even have to think about it. It was “natural” – no, it was “supernatural”.
For I know my cause is not, nor ever has been, disregarded or ignored by the Father. I know that the I AM is not hidden from me or my circumstances. And so I will not fear because the King of kings and Lord of lords is here with little ol’ me. And not only is He WITH me in all these struggles – but He is not too weak or tired or even weary of me. Oh NO – He is the everlasting God who CREATED ALL things. He knows the Beginning from the End. And He understands my feelings and my thoughts – even when I can’t always make sense of it.
So when I’m weary of these things happening – God gives me STRENGTH. God gives me POWER to face another day, to face people, to face circumstances, to face the unfairness of life. Because it is our Abba Who provides for our needs – physical, emotional, & spiritual.
Therefore I have HOPE – a faith-filled-hope in Him. He RENEWS my strength. He has and will give me back more than I need… so that I can SOAR on wings – high above the problems of this earth. I can RUN and not be too weary to get out of bed or work the urgent or touch the unlovely. And I can WALK – and not faint as I go through the more mundane and/or restful things of life.
"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." – Isaiah 41:10
None of this is hidden from our loving Father. His eyes are on the sparrow – and I know He’s watching (and understanding) me. And even though it’s a little stressful to deal with these struggles – it’s also ENERGIZING to KNOW (because of past experiences) that the God of the Universe, in the power that raised Jesus from the dead, is working and solving whatever I am going through. I am not invisible. I am loved. I am not defeated. I’m made strong, (and stronger and stronger as I go). I am not fallen. I am renewed. Some days I fly – some days I run – some days I walk – but all days I stand!
Thank You, Jesus, for seeing me, loving me, touching me, and healing me. Thank You that I don’t need to fret, worry, stress, or let it gnaw at me because You have this all in Your hand. Amen.
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© 2025: Connie F. Dunmyer, All Rights Reserved.