Is This News or Truth? - Encouragement for Today - August 27, 2026
Encouragement for Today
Audio By Carbonatix
Crosswalk.com
August 27, 2026
Is This News or Truth?
“He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever” (Psalm 146:6, NIV).
News and truth aren’t always the same.
I learned this through a medical situation I faced a few years ago. It all started with words from my doctor that I never expected to hear.
“Lysa, I’m so sorry. You have cancer.”
In that moment, everything around me got incredibly quiet and seemed to move very slowly. I could hear the doctor talking, but I couldn’t make out his words. I could feel words trying to form in my mouth, but there was no energy to actually speak. I knew I should probably cry, but no tears seemed available.
I believe with all my heart that God’s presence is in the midst of my life. But in that moment, He felt distant and mysterious. I felt stunned. And then I felt OK. And then I felt stunned again.
I wanted to hold it together. But then falling apart seemed quite reasonable.
It’s scary when test results shock you, and you don’t know what the future holds. I was forced to accept the harsh reality that there was nothing I could do to fix or change any of this.
In the days that followed, God tenderly reminded me of an email my sweet friend Shaunti once sent me about another difficulty in my life. She said, “Lysa, this is news. This is not truth.”
Wow.
What the doctor gave me was honest news, based on test results and medical facts. But I have access to a truth that transcends news. The restoration that is impossible with human limitations is always possible for a limitless God. Truth is what factors God into the equation.
So I found myself looking at the word “impossible” a little differently.
“Impossible,” in light of Shaunti’s note, could be completely different if I just stick an apostrophe between the first two letters. Then it becomes I’m Possible. God is the Great I AM. Therefore, He was my possibility for hope and healing.
I’m Possible is a much more comforting way to look at anything that feels quite impossible.
I suspect many of us have things in our lives that feel impossible. Maybe you just got some bad news. News of an impossible situation involving finances, a job, your kid, a friend, or your health.
You may feel like you’re spiraling, like you want to take control to achieve a different outcome. You may be wondering how God could let this happen. Trust me when I say I understand. Whatever news you just got or will get, I pray Shaunti’s note helps you too.
That is news.
And this is the Truth of what God says:
- I am the way and the truth and the life. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, NIV).
- I am forever faithful. “He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever” (Psalm 146:6, NIV).
- I am with you. “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, NIV).
- I am holding you. “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23, NIV).
- I am your hiding place. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7, NIV).
One of the greatest comforts to me through all I went through was knowing that somehow, God would use it for good. And that God would be my “possible” in the midst of what can sometimes feel so impossible.
Of course, I still have those less spiritually secure moments when I feel like I’m going to lose my mind. And cry. And doubt that God will bring about good from what feels impossibly hard. But He will. He didn’t answer my prayers exactly as I hoped with my diagnosis, and yes, I had to go through a battle, but today, I’m cancer-free.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know how thankful I am for the Great I AM. The One who will absolutely “Guide me in [His] truth and teach me” (Psalm 25:5, NIV).
I love you, sweet friend. And I’m praying for you today. Praying that every time the word “impossible” creeps up and starts to steal your hope, you will see the words “I’m Possible” and hold on to Him.
Dear Lord, You are I AM, I’m Possible. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and You are forever faithful. Thank You for always being with me, holding me close, and being my hiding place. Help me lean on these truths when the news I receive feels impossible. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
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ENGAGE
Find everyday encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 25:5, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (NIV).
Which truth about God, the Great I AM, do you most need to cling to right now? We’d love to hear from you today in the comments.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
