Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

You Are Not Alone {No Matter What Monday}

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The text came from a friend as I recovered from chemo in Houston in 2011. She wanted to know my favorite verse. I had a hard time choosing from my long list of favorites, but there was one that had become so precious in my suffering. 

When I battled angiosarcoma, there was no guarantee of a happy ending from my earthly perspective. No one could promise me I’d get my old life back. I definitely wasn’t getting my old body back. And I wondered if life after cancer would ever come close to normal for my family and me. 

One thing I knew for sure: God’s presence with me was absolutely guaranteed. The fire was hot. The waves were high. But I was not alone. 

“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.’” (Isaiah 43:1–2)

Isaiah shared these words of the Lord for future Israelites who would be exiled from their home and face an unknown future. They would lose everything: their country, their land, and the temple that served as the center of their faith. But Isaiah has a message of hope for the ancient Israelites and for us today. 

The Lord gives us a reason not to fear: our Redeemer has called us by name. We belong to Him. He knows us. He cares for us. He delivers us. He will always be with us. We are His, so we have nothing to fear. 

Our suffering may feel like giant ocean waves tossing us into the air and then plunging us into the depths. But the Lord will hold us fast. Even when our future here is uncertain, our future with Him is secure, because He has said, “You are Mine.” 

No matter what you face this week, the One who called you by name will never leave you. 

** Later this month I will celebrate 1 0  Y e A r S ! since my cancer diagnosis in October 2010. I can’t celebrate with a big party or a fantastic trip (thanks a lot, covid!), but I can celebrate with God’s Word. Each Monday, I’ll share a verse that was precious to me during my cancer battle. I hope it encourages you in whatever struggle you’re facing today. **

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Three Reasons to Live Fearless {Guest post for Proverbs 31 Ministries}

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Today I’m sharing a devotional from the book of Revelation for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today devotions. Here’s a preview . . .

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’” Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)

I still remember where I was when the question came. We had just started the drive to school when one of my young carpool passengers piped up from the back seat and asked, “Miss Marissa, how old will you be when Christopher graduates from high school?”

Fighting back tears, I struggled to figure out the answer to her question. I had recently finished treatment for a rare cancer called angiosarcoma. I was begging the Lord for another year or two but didn’t dare let myself think about attending my second-grader’s graduation.

We find many reasons for fear in this life, and death is often at the top of the list.

Whether it’s cancer or a contagious new virus, reminders of our mortality can shake our security and peace. Christ’s promise of eternal life soothes our doubts about eternity, but we might fear the process of dying or dread the loss of our loved ones.

In the book of Revelation, God gives us hope as we face all our fears. He pulls back the curtain of heaven to show us the present reality of Christ’s reign and the future consummation of His triumph over the grave. Turning our eyes to victorious Jesus gives us hope and comfort in the face of death.

To finish reading the devotional, head over to the Proverbs 31 website. I hope you’re encouraged to live fearless no matter what you’re facing today!

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God Triumphs Over Bad News {No Matter What Monday}

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Some days it feels like the bad news will never end. We have covid-related news, economic news, political news . . . all added on top of the typical bad news of cancer diagnoses, broken relationships, and loss.

Last week I went back to one of my favorite verses from my cancer battle in 2010. My aunt shared this verse with me after my diagnosis because it had encouraged my grandmother during her battle with leukemia. The first time I read it, the first few words stopped me in my tracks:

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” (Psalm 112:7-8)

“He is not afraid of bad news?” How can this be? There is so much about bad news to be afraid of! I’ll be honest – I’m terrified of bad news. I struggle with wondering what the next piece of bad news will be. If I could only have a bit of warning, I could prepare myself. But as much as I stretch and strain, I can’t see around the corner and glimpse what’s ahead.

Instead of preparing ourselves for bad news, God wants us to place our trust in Him. We see in these verses, and in many promises in God’s Word, that we can face bad news without fear because we belong to the Lord. We can stand firm, knowing that He is bigger, He is more powerful, and He is the victor over every evil that threatens us. He has already triumphed over every pain, every illness, every sin—even over death itself.

In this world, we will have trouble. There will always be more bad news until the day that Jesus returns. But we can take heart knowing that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). We don’t trust in our own might, but in the power of the One who holds our future in His hands.

No matter what you face this week, God triumphs over all our bad news.

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Supporting a Friend with Cancer {Podcast appearance at Don’t Mom Alone}

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I had the honor of chatting with Heather from the Don’t Mom Alone podcast recently about how we can support a friend with cancer. We covered how to not say the wrong thing, how to avoid burnout when caring for your friend, how to go the extra mile when taking a meal, and so much more. I hope you’ll check it out here!

While you’re there, check out some of the fantastic guests Heather has had on the show. Her podcast has been such an encouragement to me as I seek to glorify God with my parenting!

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