He slipped into icy waters, was unconscious for two days—and it became one of the most life-changing moments of his life.
On Sunday night, I quietly laid my head on the pillow. In the stillness, my heart stirred with a deep awareness that the peace I enjoy did not come without cost.
“The battle is Yours, Lord,” I whispered in the quiet. And gratitude filled my soul.
I know my freedom has been purchased through the courage and sacrifice of American soldiers—men and women willing to fight so others might live in peace. At times they are called not only to defend our nation, but to protect the freedom of others across the world.
Their sacrifice does not go unnoticed—not even by an eighty-year-old woman in Montana.
Recently, as I watched clips of soldiers enduring hardship, pressing forward with relentless determination and a deep sense of honor, I was humbled. Words felt inadequate to express my gratitude.
Yet not every war is fought on a battlefield.
Sometimes the fiercest battles rage within our own hearts. Fear that steals our sleep. Questions that refuse to be answered. Struggles that seem impossible to overcome.
But God has not left us to fight alone.
Isaiah 41:10 offers comfort wherever our battles take place: “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.”
What a powerful promise. God Himself stands beside us—strengthening us, helping us, and holding us steady when life shakes beneath our feet.
My father understood that promise well. Like many men of his generation, he considered it an honor to serve his country. On May 29, 1944, his ship—the USS Block Island—was torpedoed by a German submarine in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. As the ship sank beneath him, he slipped into the freezing water and nearly lost his life. For two days he drifted in and out of consciousness.
But God spared him.
That experience changed him forever. It humbled him. It strengthened his faith. And he lived the rest of his life knowing without a doubt that God had saved him for a purpose.
His faith shaped my life as well. Through every hardship, every trial, he trusted that God would see him through. He knew he was never alone.
Music helped carry that faith through the years. Southern gospel filled our home, reminding us of redemption, perseverance, and the strength God gives in our darkest moments.
Today, songs like “You Are Not Alone” by Outlaw Gospel Blues echo that same truth. It isn’t just a song about strength. It speaks of the kind of courage soldiers need—the resilience that only God can give to fight the battles within.
Because whether on a battlefield across the ocean, or in the quiet struggles of our own hearts, the promise remains the same: You are not alone.
Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, today we thank You for the brave men and women who have served our nation with courage and sacrifice. Protect those who still stand watch, and comfort the families who carry the weight of their service. May we never forget the price that has been paid for the freedoms we enjoy.
Lord, we also bring to You the battles that live quietly within our own hearts—the fears, the worries, and the struggles no one else can see. When we feel overwhelmed, remind us of Your promise that You are with us, strengthening and upholding us with Your righteous hand.
Give us the resilience of a soldier’s spirit and the faith to trust You in every storm. Help us stand firm, knowing that no matter what we face, we are never alone. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.