How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:1,7
In the spring of 1996 my wife and I left around 7 a.m. to take our older daughter to play in a soccer tournament. As we began to walk onto the fields searching for Adrienne’s team, I noticed people pointing at us and a police officer walking towards us. I knew that we were about to receive bad news and dread began to fill my soul. My fears centered around our younger daughter who was not with us and my mother who had been ill. I could not bear the thought of anything happening to either of them. The police officer informed us that my mother had passed away around the time that we left our home and that my father had contacted them to inform us. In that moment my strength left and I dropped to my knees filled with both grief and relief. I grieved my mother’s passing and was greatly relieved that Christine was ok. Since that day, I have learned much about dreaded news through experience and the faith of fellow servants of our Lord.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
A symptom of Dysautonomia, which has become my daily battle, is an impaired sympathetic nervous system. Consequently, my tendency to worry has been strengthened by my illness making the challenge even greater. As a result I read Matthew 6 often. Historically, when I’ve read this passage, I’ve focused on “don’t worry” and “each day has enough trouble.” I understood that it was wrong to worry about what was beyond today. However, I was missing the piece about tomorrow. While it may seem obvious, the point is that we should focus on what is currently before us because anything related to tomorrow is speculation. Dread and fear feed on the unknown. We cannot address what has not happened and, therefore, we are in fact, spending a great amount of energy on the unknown rather than dealing with the present. Yes we should be aware of our circumstances, but worrying about what may happen is a waste of energy. Rather than focusing on what may be, we should focus on God’s promises to us and His faithfulness in our lives as we address the needs of the day.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. Psalm 115:11
Our first response when dreaded news actually arrives is important. Through the love of my Heavenly Father and the faithful actions of others, I have learned that my first response must be to trust in God’s wisdom. I may not understand His plan, but He has always proven faithful. If I begin managing a difficult situation without trust in my Lord, I become frantic and overwhelmed. However, when I put trust in God first, I am more readily able to address the situation appropriately. At the end of the matter it comes down to two struggles. The first is whether I trust in God’s wisdom and power more than my own. The second is whether I allow Satan to keep me focused on the problems rather than focusing on our Savior’s power, righteousness, wisdom, promises and plan. If I am truly a servant of the Most High God, I must fear and trust the Lord assured that He will help, sustain and provide as He sees fit for my good and His glory.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
DeThe second act when dreaded news comes is to seek the Lord and pour out my heart. Despite the uncertainty and the fear that seeks to invade, my prayer is in humility and with thanksgiving. I thank God because: I am commanded to, it reminds me of His faithfulness in the past, and it encourages my faith in His provision for my current situation. Having thanked God, I humbly express my confusion, doubts, and fears and wait for His promised peace. After years of health problems, job losses, deaths of loved ones and other trials of life, I have learned that my lack of understanding does not mean that God has not provided well. He has taught me that I can live with my illness for many years; He has shown me that He is faithful to provide for us financially; He has given us friends who faced death looking forward to their eternal reward while showing concern for those who remain behind; and He has demonstrated time and again that He is faithful to provide…sometimes in the provision itself and sometimes in the timing of the trial. I can attest to the fact that in all circumstances He has delivered me from all my fears even if it takes time to recognize just how thoroughly He has provided.
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:19
When I receive dreaded news, the fact that I trust God and go to Him in prayer does not always mean that my mind is calm or that there are not physiological responses. When trouble comes the brain fog seems to clear only to be replaced by an overactive desire to dwell on what I cannot change. Further, as I indicated earlier, my sympathetic nervous system often insights a heightened and unwarranted “fight or flight” response. Even there God is faithful to console me and allow me to adapt to the new normal. I have experienced His inexplicable peace; He has at times distracted me to occupy my mind and calm my body; and He lets me know that He is near by providing for us in large and small ways. God’s consolations are vast and varied but we must look for them if we are to be consoled. By recognizing God’s consolations, our souls can fill with delight as we understand that Almighty God is aware of us, cares for us, and desires to help us.
“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13
Once again we are facing that dreaded news. It is not surprising or unusual, but it will require faith, prayer, adjustment and endurance. God has been faithful even in the timing. In some ways, He has made provision in advance to console and encourage us. I pray that as you read this, you either understand this perspective already or are able to grasp the reality that God is active in your life in the most dreaded circumstances to be with you and care for you. Yours is to trust, pray and look for His consolation and provision. Your Heavenly Father seeks your good, Christ understands your weakness and intercedes on your behalf, and the Holy Spirit is interceding in your prayers to bring your requests completely before the Lord. When dreaded news comes, turn to your Creator and accept His consolation and peace.