Bad News

In this imperfect world life is full of peaks and valleys. You will not be at the same place all throughout life, but instead will suffer hardships as well as successes. The Bible provides the instruction we need to deal with bad news so that we can overcome.

When we get bad news, the first thing we should do is verify it. Jacob made a mistake when he received bad news concerning his son Joseph in Genesis 37:31-36. He believed his sons’ lie and grieved the death of Joseph though he was still alive in Egypt. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” If we don’t verify the news we could make things worse for ourselves as did Jacob.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray without ceasing” and we certainly want to pray during bad times. Prayer can be a way to get things “off our chest” and place them before our heavenly Father. 1 Peter 5:6-7 commands, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Next we should ask if there’s anything we can do to improve the situation. Our tendency is to become discouraged and remain passive. Instead of letting bad things happen to us let’s happen to bad things and make them better. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

Part of working through bad news is thinking about it in a positive way. Our minds tend to replay bad news over and over again which can be paralyzing. We need to focus on the good things rather than the bad. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think on “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report.”

Having received bad news you need to talk to others about it. Talking is therapeutic and can alleviate anxiety. It also can help us have deeper relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ! Choose your friends who you confide in wisely. Select those who will help you think positively and make good decisions instead of enabling you to stay in a depressed state. Romans 12:15 reminds us to “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

In handling bad news we have got to accept it. This can take a long time depending on how terrible the situation. Remember that no matter how bad a situation may be, God can use it for good (Romans 8:28). We will never overcome these bad times if we do not accept them and move on. 

Finally, all we have left to do is rejoice. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say Rejoice.” This isn’t a mindless rejoicing for no reason but rejoicing because we know God is in control and we have hope and spiritual blessings through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3).

Jacob received bad news concerning his son Joseph, but God used that situation to save all of Jacob’s family from a terrible drought. Eventually they were reunited in Egypt and God’s will was done. With God, we may overcome much and be blessed abundantly.