When Bad News Doesn’t Shake You
“He is not afraid of bad news.” Don’t you want to meet that person? I will admit that during my nearly twenty years as a private, Christ-centered university president I had more times than I would like to admit where I was afraid of bad news. Oh, I knew all the scriptures about not being afraid. I have written more than a few devotionals on that theme over the last several years.
We all deal with things differently, so when and how I struggled with bad news may not be like you at all. But I bet a few of you have had moments or seasons where you feared hearing bad news. And if you are reading this devotional, then chances are you have lived through a few episodes of bad news and you are still here. So am I!
Before I share the good news that we find in Psalm 112 and in Philippians 4:11-13, I want to be clear that being afraid is not a bad thing. In fact, it is a completely normal response to many things. It is a problem, however, if we condition our hearts and minds to be afraid and become consumed by our fears. In those cases, we usually get stuck and need some help getting ourselves back on a healthier approach to fear and to dealing with bad news. Because the truth is, there is and will always be hard and difficult news. Some of it impacts us, some hard news impacts people we care about, and some bad news impacts our communities and even the world.
But let’s be honest; you and I can’t fix, prevent, or solve all the issues that create bad news. But we know someone who can help us, guide us, and even transform our minds so that we develop and maintain a better posture toward bad news and discover new strength to get through our tough times. And he is not finished working his plan of renewal and restoration of all that is broken. Better times are ahead for you and for me!
So how can we become people that do not fear bad news? According to Psalm 112, it begins with giving reverence to God and taking delight in his commandments. And the good news is that we can do both of those things every day and anywhere. When we consider the majesty and power of our Father in heaven, our fears subside in the presence of our Creator and our hearts grow stronger, giving us a greater capacity to trust in the Lord.
Reading Philippians 4:11-13 makes me wonder if the apostle Paul had this psalm in mind when he said that he had learned to be content in all situations. Paul went on to review various situations which we would consider to be described as bad news: being brought low, being hungry, and being in need. But Paul indicated that he was content whether he was going through hard times or easier times because he was strengthened by the Lord regardless of his circumstances.
So, today, if the headlines are filled with bad news or if some situation has appeared at work or at home that is difficult or frightening, then remember that when tempted to give into the fear or to dwell in a sense of helplessness, we have the option to consider the majesty and glory of the one who created us, has redeemed us, loves us, and will never leave us. And as we do, we will discover with the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
Father, thank you that all through scripture we are reminded that we need not fear bad news or hard times because you are with us and will never abandon us, regardless of what is going on in our lives and in the world around us. Today we declare your glory and majesty and will trust in you and not be afraid. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 112:7; Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
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