Dealing With Bad News!

We pick up the paper and read good news and bad news. We turn on the radio and hear good news and bad news. We get a telephone call and may be given good news and bad news. A letter may come in the mail containing both good news and bad news. We may face a doctor who says, “I have good news and bad news.” Sometimes we are given the choice of what we want to hear first, while other times the one who communicates the news may give the good news first to soften the blow of the bad news to come. Perhaps there are times we know there is a possibility of bad news and we dread its coming. Though we dislike bad news we must still deal with it in this realm.

Among the statements the psalmist made regarding the blessed man who fears the Lord is the following:
“(7) HE IS NOT AFRAID OF BAD NEWS; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. (8) His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” ( Psalm 112:7-8 ESV)

Is that a challenge or what? A reality of this life is that there is good news and bad news. Life is not a bed or roses. Even for good people, bad news is inescapable. Sometimes it can be prepared for and other times it comes suddenly and the world watches to see how we react to it. Does our TRUST IN THE LORD make a visible difference in our life? The one described by the psalmist maintained the attitude of TRUST IN THE LORD through the situation until the threat (whatever it might have been) was over. And the key, according to the psalmist, was the retaining of a “firm” and “steady”
heart; such being a description of a steadfast and undivided focus of TRUST IN THE LORD.

The Hebrew writer, encouraging Christians going through a period of great trials, quoted Psalm 118:6 when he wrote…
“So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I WILL NOT FEAR; WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?’” ( Hebrews 13:6 ESV)

Such a TRUST IN THE LORD is what marked the courage of Paul as he headed toward Jerusalem, despite the prophecy concerning what awaited him there.
(read Acts 21:10-14) And His letters from prison were very optimistic regarding the continual spread of the gospel of Jesus. (read Philippians
1:12-14)
Paul encouraged the church at Rome with the words…
“(31) What then shall we say to these things? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? (32) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
( Romans 8:31-32 ESV)

I see teens wearing “NO FEAR!” t-shirts. Perhaps we should all get them to wear. But more importantly is for us to live a life that clearly declares a steadfast TRUST IN THE LORD that removes the fear regardless of what we might face. Though a seemingly tall order, let us remember the infinite bigness of our God as we allow the realization of His great and perfect love to drive the fear out. ( 1 John 4:18) In this way our lives will provide powerful testimony to the greatness of our God in Whose hands we have placed ourselves for now and eternity.

Have a great day FOCUSED FOR A NO FEAR FAITH IN GOD!
Carl

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