Bad news made better

Bad news made better

Source: Dr Michael Yousef

Bad news — there are several ways you can react to it. You can get angry and bang your head against the wall and require hospitalization. Or you can get so depressed and stressed out that you develop a bleeding ulcer — which would still require hospitalization! But there is also a godly way of responding — and that is experiencing proper anguish. Proper anguish that drives you to your knees and that makes you look only one way — and that's up. That's when God can really do His best work.

So when walls are crumbling in your life, when walls are crumbling in your business, when walls are crumbling in your family, don't get angry. Don't bang your head against the wall. Or get yourself all up in knots. God wants you to look to Him. Whatever problem you are facing today — whether it's a broken relationship ... a bad report from your doctor ... or a financial crisis — you can tackle it with the strength of God.

In the book of Nehemiah, we read the story of the cupbearer-turned-governor who led the restoration of the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's life teaches us how to conquer our challenges and live a joyful life — even when we face what seem like impossible situations. Here are some things Nehemiah teaches us about rejoicing through trouble:

Consider God’s Power
When one person — no matter how weak he or she might be — is connected to our all-powerful God, mighty things can happen through that person. When you are facing a daunting task — regardless of how big your problem might be — remember that God is not surprised by it. Seek the Lord's strength and guidance.

Pray without Ceasing
The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV). But in today's impatient world of fast food and quick-fixes, persistence in prayer can be a challenge. Prayer must become a high priority with God's children. Start with self-examination. Once you have your heart in the right place before the Lord, ask Him to give you direction so that His will — not yours — can be accomplished. Ask God how you can be part of the solution. Prayer also involves praising God, acknowledging His absolute authority, repenting of our sins, and committing ourselves to the Lord afresh.

Be Prepared
Don't ever ask God to do something without being prepared in your heart to do something for God. Prayer is not an excuse for doing nothing. Nehemiah asked God for something, but he was also prepared in his heart for surrender. He was prepared for sacrifice. He was prepared for servanthood. You see, prayer is reporting for duty and service. We are God's means and God's methods to accomplish God's will. In prayer, you must be prepared to do what you are asking God to do.

Do you pray with a prepared heart to do what God wants you to do? Perhaps you have said, "Oh Lord, I feel burdened to pray that God would raise missionaries." But what are you prepared to do? Like Isaiah, Nehemiah said, "Lord, here I am. Send me. I'm prepared." You see, prayer makes it possible for us to obey and to surrender. It is not enough to pray for your friends and family members to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. You must also tell them what Jesus means to you.

Finish Well
Many people have a good start — but a terrible finish. You know why? Because they stop trusting and believing in God. As problems begin to creep in, they begin to rely on their intellect, their judgment, and their wisdom. They start thinking of their own solutions, reading books for direction, and getting advice from the wrong people. And they think that the start is dependent on God, but not the finish. But it's imperative to remember that the start, the middle, and the finish all have to be dependent on God in order to fulfill His plan.

Romans 8:31 reads, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV). If God has called you, be confident. Don't let your fears get the best of you. It is God who called you, and He is going to see you through. He is going to give you the power, and He is going to give you the strength. He is going to hold you together when your knees start shaking.

You might be a person who knows what God is calling you to do and you've been running away. God has a special call on your life — but you're enjoying the comfort of familiarity, and you don't want change. You don't want to go where God is calling you to go. Will you say the following? "Lord, I surrender all. I surrender to You today. I obey Your voice today. I will do what You ask me to do." Whatever God has said to you, whatever the Spirit has convicted you to do, will you do it today?



Useful link: