The Privileged Life: Prepare for Bad News…with the Good News
“He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:7)
It’s snowing in Tennessee! The first beautiful snowfall in our area is happening right now, and I’m loving it! Of course, I’m indoors and warm, watching sledders go down a hill nearby. My husband is baking chocolate chip cookies while we play a game of Scrabble. All is right with the world…until my beloved wins by putting the J, Q, and Z on triple-point squares.
But heavy snow can be a recipe for disaster, car wrecks, and hardship. The kids down South who long for snow days are praying right alongside utility workers who hope power lines won’t break. Ice storms? Stunningly beautiful, but bad news for anyone who has to work outside…or for those who lose electricity for weeks on end.
Are you prepared when the forecast changes? Much colder temperatures are expected here this evening and tomorrow. I need to attach some outdoor faucet covers today, to prepare for freezing conditions and avoid a burst pipe.
Sometimes, we get a bit of warning that bad news is on the way, especially now that weather reports are more reliable and accessible. But other times, we’re slammed with unexpected disaster.
Most of us have heard public service ads encouraging people to be ready for dangers like hurricanes or tornadoes—to have an escape plan, a meeting place when family members are separated, a safe spot to ride out the storm, a stockpile of food and water, portable radio, etc. The ads tell people to familiarize themselves with the plan so everyone knows what to do, especially if there’s not much time to react.
Do you have the same preparation spiritually? Is your heart ready when bad news arrives?
My sweet friend Nancie was a missionary for a number of years. She had a glow about her—perennially positive, always interested in the lives of others. Out of the blue one day, she brought us a homemade shoo-fly pie because she heard we’d never tasted one.
And, one day, Nancie received the difficult news that she had pancreatic cancer. When told about her terminal diagnosis, her reply was calm and upbeat: “Well, I get to go see Jesus.” She continued to serve her Lord during her final year of life as a card-writer with our church’s ministry to shut-ins, sending encouraging letters and cards despite her own failing health.
When we’re assaulted with problems, we can tether our storm-tossed boat to two anchors: God’s sovereignty and His goodness. God’s comfort can be real, like a rock, in spite of our pain.
Missionary trainer Ann Austin once said, “The emergency room is not the place to figure out our theology.” We need to go deep now, before the storms hit, to taste and see that the Lord is good, to know that His good hand is upon us. Austin knew this well because her first husband died very young, unexpectedly from a heart attack.
“We need to base our faith and daily spiritual walk on God and His attributes, not on our current circumstances,” Austin said. “God does not change. Whether we are walking through a sunlit glade or a raging fire, our walk will be steady if our minds and hearts are fixed on who God is and what He has already done for us. He has kept us thus far, and He will carry me through the future only He can see, especially in the small things.”*
Jesus is indeed the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow. His promises never fail. His Good News is that He loves us and has saved us by His grace. You and I can count on that, no matter what troublesome tidings come our way.
I have no idea if I will stay calm in every trial ahead. But I do have an action plan—to prepare, pray, and trust God. I pray I’ll have Nancie’s beautiful faith in Christ to handle all of my petty disappointments as well as the major issues.
May His good news help all of us get ready now, before the next snowfall!
Holy and loving God, prepare my heart now for the future only You can see. Set my thoughts on Your promises, Your goodness, and Your sovereignty as I react to unforeseen events. Let my heart be so well-prepared with Your Gospel truth that I will endure the trials and pitfalls in my life with joy. Make me a beacon of Your light to others in the process. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*You can read more about the beauty of true contentment in Chapter 29 of my book, “A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Prayers, and Stories for Women Experiencing Infertility”—learn about it here https://lightbournecreative.com/books/ and here https://www.amazon.com/Crocus-Desert-Devotions-Experiencing-Infertility-ebook/dp/B07SFXW8JX?ref_=ast_author_dp
© Copyright 2024 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative (text and photography)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #2024snows #snowfall #snowstorm #icestorm #snowpreparation #freezingtemperature #frozenpipe #disasterpreparation #prepareforsnow
