Bad News

How do you handle bad news? I've had my share so far in my life and my reactions to the news has varied depending on where I was in maturity, both physical and spiritual.

"Your brother has been in an accident."

"Your baby girl has brain damage."

"I lost my job."

"If one more major organ shuts down, we will lose your husband and we don't know what to do about it."

"The company I work for is shutting down."

"You have a basketball sized tumor growing in your abdomen."

I can tell you how the world says to handle it.

Blame others.
Sue someone.
Get depressed.
Take medication.
Give up.

I can tell you how the Bible says to handle it.

He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak. Isaiah 40:29
Come to me, all of you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose. Roman 8:28

And I can tell you how Sharon says to handle it (based entirely on the aforementioned Bible and past experiences).

It is much easier to gain perspective on bad news when it is in the past. I can look back at all the incidents mentioned above and see the blessings God gave us through each situation that, at the time, was devastating. I can look back and see how each one grew me spiritually and made me better able to handle the next one.

It is like body building. Each time I had to work my "trust muscles", I grew a little stronger. I am who I am today because of the "workout" God has put me through. He has prepared me for each new challenge by teaching me along the way.

I recently received some bad news concerning a family member and it has caused me to reflect on those lessons and how I will react.

I have learned that each day is a gift.
I have learned that God is still in control.
I have learned to look for opportunities to create memories that can't ever be taken away.
I have learned that love conquers all, no matter how bleak the situation looks.

No one is excited to get bad news. It is a fact of life and a by-product of a fallen world. The good news is that Jesus' sacrifice created a way for us to transcend this world and choose a better way.

I'm going to choose to flex my "trust muscles" and rest in the "God of peace" (Romans 16:20).  It won't make the bad news go away but it will give me the strength to live each minute as the precious gift that it is.