The other day I received some good news. A friend I hadn’t heard from in a few years told me about an amazing answer to prayer in his life. It was one of those “God stories” that reminds you how big God is, and in turn fills you up with hope. His testimony was also the answer to prayers I had prayed for him years ago.
A few days later, after our outdoor church service, a couple approached me and my husband, Kevin. They said they wanted to tell him some good news. A year ago, Kevin, who is a pastor, prayed with them after a church service. They wanted to report back that during the past year, God had freed them from sin, brought them into ministry and radically transformed their family.
A weary world rejoices
Receiving two reports of good news in the course of a few days almost made me giddy. I don’t know what your experience has been this year, but I’ve felt inundated by bad news. Bad news on TV. Bad news surrounding cancelled events and plans. Even bad news of political divides and disagreements between people. At times it can feel like layers and layers of disappointment are piling on. And though I know God has a plan — and is ultimately in control — all that bad news can get me down.
In contrast, listen to how Proverbs 15:30 describes the effect of good news: “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.” Joyful news revives us. I felt this when I heard my friend’s good news and when the couple at church told us their exciting story.
As we celebrate the best news of all this Christmas season, here are a couple of ways to bring good news to a weary world:
Preach the good news of salvation.
The start of this Christmas season has felt overshadowed by the year 2020. With navigating restrictions, health scares and a different way of life during the pandemic, the past nine months have felt tense and somber. While my feelings may be toned-down this year, the good news hasn’t changed. Jesus entered the world in human flesh so that through Him, I can stand righteous before God and have a relationship with Him. That is an amazing truth and something I should be ready to share!
Isaiah 52:7 proclaims, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’”
As a follower of Jesus, I have the opportunity to tell people there is good news even during a difficult year. Instead of merely commiserating with them about all the bad news, I can introduce them to the One who brings light to the darkness.
Testify about what God has done.
Even believers can get caught up in talking about and perpetuating bad news. But when we talk about the amazing ways God is working in our lives, it brings Him glory and encourages others. Psalm 105:2 says, “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
The couple at church could have kept their story to themselves. Instead, they went out of their way to share it. As they told us what God had done in their lives, we were able to marvel together at God’s goodness. When we talk about the good things God has done in our lives, we fulfill the instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to “encourage one another and build one another up.”
Hearing my friend talk about some specific answers to prayer in his life and how God was transforming him was just the reminder I needed to turn my thoughts from the bad news in my life to God’s wondrous works.
Glad tidings to all
This year I’ve heard people say, “If we ever needed Christmas, this is the year!” But all the tinsel and holly and Hallmark movies in the world won’t cheer us up as much as the reminder of how great and powerful our God is. The people around us who don’t know Christ need to hear that. And the people around us who do know Christ need to be reminded of it. What better time to tell someone some good news than during the season we celebrate God sending His Son to earth to be our Savior.
Think about it. Look around you. How can you spread some good news today?
Copyright 2020 Suzanne Hadley Gosselin. All rights reserved.
