Good News & Bad News

For about five weeks, Kim’s car was at the local Hyundai dealership for repairs as they were awaiting the arrival of one small part. Thankfully, however, they were able to give her one of their loaner cars to use. Her car is a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The car they gave her was a 2022 Hyundai Ionic hybrid. It was a really nice car with all of the latest features, including a sun roof and a large computerized screen.  Best of all, it got about 48 mpg on the highway—which was really nice considering the cost of gas these days. 

Well, the other day I called Kim to tell her I had some good news and some bad news. The good news was, the part for her car had come in and the repairs had been completed. The bad news was, she had to return the Ionic. It was nice while it lasted. Not that Kim doesn’t like her Sonata, but it was nice for her to be driving a brand new car, putting her commuting miles on their car rather than ours, and getting the milage she was able to get with it. 

But that’s pretty much the way life is; it’s usually a mixed bag filled with both good news and bad news. On the one hand something good may be happening in life—e.g., a new job, the birth of a child, the excitement of taking a long-awaited trip. On the other hand, and sometimes almost simultaneously, something difficult and hard may happen in life—e.g. the loss of a parent, a sudden illness, a relational conflict. 

So how do we navigate a world in which we are constantly faced with both good news and bad news? The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other.”  (Ecclesiastes 7:14 – NIV). The Apostle Paul wrote, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 – NIV)  And, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 – NIV)

The Bible teaches us that, no matter what may be happening in one’s life, whether it is good or bad or a mix of the two, God is with us and is involved in it all. God takes both the good and the bad of life and uses it all for his larger purposes both within our world and within our lives. He is a God who is always with us and who is always at work, no matter the circumstances. 

If today you are experiencing that which is good, rejoice and give God thanks. If you are facing the bad, look to God in faith and believe that he is with you, is at work within your, and will help you through it all.  Most of all, remember that Jesus has overcome all things and one day his victory will be yours! 

Let’s believe God in the midst of both the good news and the bad news of our lives! 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris