Tune Out the Bad News
Be Strong, Be Well — Wednesday, July 8
“As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25).
How many days go by when all we see or hear is bad news? At times there are occasional heart-warming, feel good stories of heroes, good deeds, and children. But for the most part the daily news is usually foul, grim, and sad.
Christians must always keep in mind, there is a good news outlet available to us. It’s the Bible, the story of God’s bright and hopeful world. Yes, there are negatives and unpleasant topics in scripture. But there is a vast amount of reading and study that can take our mind to a pleasant and happy place in God’s great scheme of things.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).
As the prophecy indicates, the greatest good news story of all time, is the gift of salvation given to us by God through His Son. There is so much that comes with the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). There is good news in living the Christian life. “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:4-5). “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Tune out the cares and concerns of this world, with all it’s bad news, and spend more time focusing on God in prayer, and reading His word. Feed the mind with good, happy, pleasant thoughts. —Chris