“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ “ I Peter 1:6-7
When the telephone rings in the middle of the night, most of us wake up with a sense of dread. No one phones us to startle us awake with good news. What do we do when bad news arrives? For those of us in recovery, we used to reach for our drug of choice (or food, gambling, sex, etc.) to soothe and soften the blow. Now, clean and sober, we face the news with the knowledge that God is in control. We do not have to be afraid or dismayed, for God is with us.
When we are truly reliant on God, we don’t need anything to anesthetize our feelings. We can face life on life’s terms. We can relax and let God do His work. He doesn’t need our help. He’s got it under control.
We no longer run from bad news. We simply ask God to walk with us, and help us face whatever life has in store for us.
Oftentimes the trials and tribulations we face turn out to be our biggest blessings, for they teach us, shape us and polish us.
F.R.O.G. Practice: What bad news have you received lately? Turn your fears and worries about it over to God so you can relax and enjoy your day. Anytime you feel frightened or discouraged, instead of dwelling on what disturbs you, praise and honor God instead. The shifting of your focus can change your feelings fairly quickly.
