A friend told me about a man who had a unique habit. He shouted the same two words every morning from his newsstand on the corner. “That's terrible!”� That's what he said to passersby when he offered the newspaper. Then people would buy the newspaper because they wanted to know the terrible thing that had happened.
Tragedy and frightening predictions always fill the front pages of newspapers. But if we are carried away by bad news, we will lose to a situation my friend calls "terrification"�--a contagious pessimism that shrouds every situation with gloom.
If anyone had good reason to grieve, it was the prophet Jeremiah. For 40 years, he preached God's judgment on the rebellious and unrepentant people of Judah. Jeremiah suffered because of the disobedience of the people of Judah. However, he still clung to his faith in God's goodness. Even after witnessing the fall of Jerusalem and the captivity of the people of Judah, Jeremiah wrote: “For the Lord does not excommunicate forever. For though He brings trouble, He also loves according to the greatness of His steadfast love. Let us search and examine our hearts, and turn to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:31,32,40).
Disobedience to God can cause great suffering. But the way out of despair, leads us to God who is "good to those who hope in him"� (verse 25) --David McCasland
HORRIBLE SITUATION
CANNOT CHANGE THE GOODNESS OF GOD
* Take from Daily Reflections