Tears and Laughter

Still here. I am still here. The other day I found myself laughing and crying at bad news. Crying because of the news, laughing because I couldn't believe another unexpected thing has happened. Bad news will come your way, there's no escaping them sometimes. They are unexpected and most unwelcomed -- how many of us would slam the door at the face of "bad news" if they came knocking at your door? It has been a challenging season for all of us, one way or another, and we could each use a good cry or laugh at life's circumstances, but I don't want to be swayed by bad news anymore. My health, both mentally and physically, can't keep taking hits by the anxiety that shakes within me at the sound of bad news. Psalm 112 says, the righteous person "is not afraid of bad news; [their] heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. [Their] heart is steady; [they] will not be afraid". This comes after delighting in the Lord's commandments, fearing the Lord - not man. 1 Peter 3:6 says as Christians we are spiritual daughters of Sarah, who submitted to her husband, who did good, who did not give way to fear. This is in our bloodline, this is in our DNA. To be afraid of nothing, but to have our hope in God. It's possible to be fearless, it's possible not to be shaken up by bad news; it all comes down to trusting God, delighting in His commandments, and counting it all joy.