How to Face Bad News

@audreyfrank

I journeyed to an unknown land

Far across the sea.

I stood upon the darkened shores,

I heard the ocean breathe.

 

I listened for the sound of hope, but

Everything was still.

I wondered if the sun would rise,

This new realm to reveal.

 

I was afraid, my heart grew faint,

This place was not my rest.

In panic, I searched troubled skies

For someone who would help.

 

I did not know I slept,

Until I gently woke

And found myself upon a rock

The waves crashing below.

 

The storm rolled dark,

The waters churned,

I closed my eyes to hide;

I opened them again to find

A Warrior by my side.

 

He shielded me and spoke aloud

To crashing waters deep;

The clamor ceased, my heart was stilled,

Upon my strong, safe keep.

 

He lifted me,

He carried me,

Over the land unknown;

He brought me gently, carefully

Again unto my home.

 

I find I have changed, I am different now,

After my journey long;

The storms that caused such strife in me,

Are now part of my song.

 

I close my eyes, my heart is still,

my mind is now at peace;

I imagine still the solid rock

Beneath my weary feet.

 

I see the One who carried me, 

I ever feel His strength;

I hear His voice in the tempest,

quieting the strife,

My journey to the unknown land 

Has given me new life.

 

Life is not always predictable. We will all take unexpected journeys at some time or another. Some will be exciting, others devastating.

For those who trust in the Lord, there is a place of security when faced with sudden, life-changing circumstances. The unknown is swallowed up by the presence of the One who is known: the Lord in the midst of the storm.

Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. (Psalm 112:6-8 NIV)

I used to believe that Psalm 112:6-8 meant that for the follower of Jesus, there should never be bad news. After an early life of pain and trauma, I was desperate to believe that I had suffered enough. Now, surely life would give me a break. It is clear to me now how immature that belief was.

As the years have passed, I have come to understand that the treasure, the promise, in Psalm 112 is actually the guarantee of security, steadfastness, and triumph in the midst of the inevitable bad news life brings.

Bad news is, indeed, inevitable.

Suffering is part of our fallen reality, but it beckons us to a higher road.

We are invited to walk with Jesus through the unexpected dark passages of life on the path of Trust, a path that is built high upon a Rock. It is a place where fear cannot stand, because steadfastness and security rule.

This is how we face bad news.

We will not startle so easily at the sound of the thunder and we will not faint when the knock comes on the door.

We will be held up by hands Stronger than our own, and our hearts will be secure even though the pain would slay us.

We will look in triumph on our foes.

What are you facing today?

Lord, whatever we face today, and whatever we will face tomorrow, increase our trust in You. Make our hearts steadfast, immovable, secure. And may we look in triumph on our foes in Jesus’ name. Amen.