This article was birthed by an experience I am currently going through that has caused heartache, shock, and confusion. This circumstance is about my mom, who is so dear to me and who I love so much.
About five years ago, our family got the news that my mother was diagnosed with dementia. All I could think of is What? How is this possible? You always hear about people having it, but you never think it will hit you so close to home. As my heart sank when I got the news, I had questions in my mind like: How are things going to change in our family since my mom used to be so independent? How is this going to affect my dad, brother, sisters, and even me?
What do we do if we face bad news? How do we cope with it? Do we use Scripture to renew our mind with truth and comfort, or fall into fear, panic, and anxiety? As followers of Christ, we need to understand that there will be trials (see James 1:2). When these happen, are we prepared to stand firm in our faith? Or does it shake us to the core where we start questioning the Lord or wonder if God is even around? Life can throw us many curveballs, so how do we prepare to stand firm in our faith even if we don’t understand? Can we do anything to prepare for these moments? We can’t predict the future, but I believe we can prepare for the future spiritually.
As we read the book of Job, we see that he went through horrific, challenging times of losing his kids and his livelihood. One hardship after another happened to Job. Even his friends were accusing him of sinning; Job called them “miserable comforters” in Job 16:2. I know we can learn from his trials by observing how Job stood up in his faith by worshiping, glorifying, and trusting the Lord. Regardless of what he was going through and what his friends were telling him, Job kept his gaze on the Lord.
Have we ever faced similar situations when the bad news keeps on coming? When this happens are we still putting God first? If we look at Job’s life, he lost it all and still he proclaimed, “Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21b). Even though everything around him was dying and he was losing it all, Job knew God was faithful, just, and in control. What I have learned in my life is when I don’t understand the storm or storms, God is still with me and I need to trust Him. In Job 2:10b it says, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity [affliction]?”
Ephesians 6 makes it clear we don’t fight against flesh or blood but against principalities, powers, and might. John 10:10 says, “The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Therefore, the devil wants to do everything he can to separate us from the love of God. However, Paul wrote in Romans 8:38–39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Are we persuaded by the Word of God and what Christ did for us on the cross that nothing can separate us from His love?
Are we going to have moments when we are crying out to the Lord as King David did in the book of Psalms? Of course we are! The most important thing, though, is to come back to our first love, Jesus, and continue to renew our minds with truth, which is the Word of God. Here are some other Bible verses that have helped me walk out life when trials arise.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).
Zechariah 4:6b says, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
In the book of Psalms and Joshua, it tells us to meditate on the Word of God day and night. We need to renew our mind daily with truth. Psalm 91 speaks about dwelling in the secret place with the Almighty God. This means we need to spend time with the Lord, talk with Him, read the Bible, and do life with Him. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” A lot of the time, even if it doesn’t make sense, we need to trust the Lord even if it may seem like an impossible task or situation. God has a plan. One final Scripture I want to share that has comforted me when things just don’t make sense is, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
I hope these Bible verses bring peace and comfort to you. The great news is, God has given us so many tools and even spiritual armor to use to deal with the lies of the enemy (see Ephesians 6:10–18). The enemy is going to do whatever he can to make us doubt God’s love and purpose for our lives. So as Christians, how can we prepare for bad news? By renewing our minds with truth.
I hope this article encourages you. Please know you’re not alone. I know this article has helped me to heal as I wrote it. I encourage you to write in a journal your prayers to Jesus. Share with Him your trials that you may be facing at this time, the various emotions you feel, and then write next to them the promises of God. Yes, we will have troubles in this life, but take heart, God has overcome the world (see John 16:33). The Lord has not abandoned you. He is with you!
