Imagine being the first to receive some extraordinary, uplifting news – news so wonderful that you’d be excited to share it. Would you call a friend, send a text, or post it on social media? There’s no way you could keep such incredible news to yourself. You’d want everyone to know! The term “gospel” originates from a phrase meaning “good story” or “good news.” In a world full of challenges, do we actively spread the joyful message of the gospel, or do we hold it close?
“To share the good news means bearing witness that Jesus came to bring peace and to right the wrongs of this hurting world.” — Kevin DeRaaf
Jesus is our Savior! What news can be sweeter for all who believe in Him than this one? Matthew says that the birth of Jesus is to “fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)” (1:22-23)
Let’s think about this good news with a different focus:
GOD with us! Awesome, Great, Omnipotent and Omnipresent God promises to be with us in any circumstance!
God with US! The thought that the Holy God doesn’t turn His Face from us warms our hearts in times of tribulation.
Knowing that, we pray: “Thank You, Lord. You are so good.”
But will God still be good if we receive bad news?
The bad news is increasing exponentially this year.
• War in Ukraine and the Middle East
• Increasing political upheaval
• Climate change
• Earthquakes, wildfires, and tsunamis
• Mass shootings
• The refugee crisis
• Economic uncertainty
The bad news list can go on and on: a dire diagnosis, job loss, death of a loved one, rebellion of a child, financial difficulties.
Frequent exposure to negative news can lead to feelings of worry and anxiety, adversely impacting our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It can instill fear, insecurity, and mistrust about what lies ahead.
So should believers simply avoid the news altogether? Should we turn a blind eye to uncomfortable realities? While this might offer a temporary sense of relief, ultimately, ignoring the truth is not a viable solution.
The answer lies in the Bible. Psalm 112:7 says, “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
Notice that the psalmist does not deny the fact that we live in a bad-news world. Rather, he offers a solution – to stand strong and trust in the One who is still in control.
So how might you lean into that?
- Unplug from the bad news regularly and plug into God’s Good News. Regain your confidence and renew your hope by spending time every day in Scripture and prayer.
- Cast all your anxieties upon the One who can shoulder them. Hold tight to His promises that He is in control, working all things out for good. He will ultimately fix this broken, bad-news world.
- Embrace some calming practices. When you feel the pressure rising and the fear building, close your eyes, take a deep breath in, then blow the air out and quote a verse like this one: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You…” (Ps. 56:3). You can almost feel the tension leave your body.
- Don’t be alone. Here’s where corporate worship plays a key role. Worshiping together encourages and instructs us, restoring peace and hope.
Ultimately, as believers, we are called to be vessels of good news, sharing it with a world that desperately needs it. By holding tight to the truth that we are not alone, we can navigate the complexities of life with grace and courage, expressing the hope we wish to impart to others. Let us celebrate the good news and commit to being beacons of light in our broken world.
