Bad News

He told her, “You’re talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God-why not also the bad days?” Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God.

(Job 2:10, MSG)

Receiving bad news is never easy to do and upon receiving the news, we tend to want immediate answers, immediate results. We want to know why, how, when, and who? We look for answers to our many questions.

Most times, I believe our initial response after hearing bad news is to handle the situation through our carnal nature. We allow our flesh to lead the way, guiding us to respond to the bad news in the wrong way. Our carnality makes us look at things with a different perspective. Most times, through the eyes of our flesh, we view the entire news in a perverse way, the wrong way. We think about how it makes us look, how it makes us feel, how we’re affected by it, what others might say about us, and so forth. We say things like “If I……I should have…..why didn’t I”; we find ourselves playing the blame game until eventually; we are so overwhelmed by that news.

In contrast, if we choose to, we can respond to the bad news the right way, the Godly way. I will admit, Lord Jesus, it’s hard!! It’s hard responding to bad news in a positive way, God’s way. On impulse, I’m quick to deal with disappointing news in a negative way, but the downside to responding that way is that it makes me feed my sinful nature. The more I feed my flesh, the worse I make things.

In the past few days, I have been hit twice by some disappointing news. And the more I ponder on these events the more horrible it makes me feel. The more I think about what has occurred the more I ask the question why. On the other hand, in my effort to want to know why, God has graciously revealed some important things to me:

1. This is a frontal attack by Satan against God and against His child.

2. I am chosen by God. Therefore, I am a threat to Satan and his army. My faithfulness to God and the commitment to carry out His purpose is dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. The enemy sees my willing heart and my desire to faithfully serve God, so, he attacks.

3. Like Job, Satan gets permission from God to attack me (Job 1 and 2). But in the end, (Praise God!) God will raise His people back up to stand on top (Job 42:12)!

4. God uses my disappointments, tragedies, and trials to teach me important truths about Him as well as myself.

Now, I want to encourage you today. When you have been hit with some bad news, here are some things you can do:

1. Get back in the game! Don’t lie down and take what the enemy is throwing. Get back up! Stand your ground and keep doing God!

2. Know that this is an attack by Satan. Know that God has given him permission to attack you! Know that the enemy sees your faithfulness to God and your willing heart to serve the Heavenly Father!

3. Know that God has confidence in you just like he had confidence in Job.

4. Learn what God is trying to show you through this ordeal, and grow from it.

My sister and brother, God has selected us for such a time as this. Let’s not allow the bad news to throw us off our game. We must keep pleading the blood of Jesus over our lives, our family’s lives, and whatever ministry God has placed us in charge over. And in the process, let us let God get glory through our lives!!

It’s Monday, already. Stay encouraged!

“As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good” 

(Gen. 50:20a, AMP)

During your Quiet Time, meditate on today’s scriptures and

and allow God’s Word to brighten your day.

LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!

*Originally posted 8/10/11.

Rhovonda L. Brown is speaker and author of two bestsellers, Walking in Freedom!: A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women and At Least Say, “Thank You!”: An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart. 

Copyright ©2010-2016. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved.