What to Do if You Get Bad News

Jeff Cavins* went to the dermatologist for a routine checkup, and the doctor noticed a mole he thought should be removed. Jeff wasn't too concerned because he had had  moles removed before. But when the doctor called to tell him it was melanoma, Jeff had a choice of how to react to the news.

He walked outside into the backyard behind the shed, and said, "Well, Lord, you haven't changed. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. I have been trusting you all these years, and today with you is just another day. Jesus, I trust you, I trust you, I trust you."

Then Jeff began to praise God for His faithfulness. He recalled how He was faithful in His creation, in his family's life, and he determined to rest in God's faithfulness. He thanked God for the peace He gave and thanked Him that He was his physician. Then he returned to the house and told his wife the news, assuring her that God was with them.

Shortly afterward, he underwent surgery to remove the area on his back where the mole had been. The doctor believes the cancer has been totally removed. Naturally his relief made it easy to thank God for healing, but in the midst of the uncertainty, his attitude of gratitude for whatever may have been the outcome brought peace to their home.

Dear Lord, help me to remember that praise is a powerful way to resist worry.

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name" (Hebrews 13:15).