He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm,

     trusting in the LORD.

                Psalm 112. 7

(We learn in layers,

      in incremental steps,

               to follow God,

   even in the face of bad news.

         "Trust Me in this."

Even in what appears as hardship

        or bad news or calamity,

   even in what is good,

                  God redeems.

The steadfast love of the LORD

      endures forever,

   not limited by circumstances.

We can stake our lives on that.

We do not just endure,

                      but thrive,

not because we are

       inherently strong people,

but as my friend Nancy Gurthrie says,

    we are tethered to Christ

            who is strength Himself.)

O LORD,

Even in what this day holds,

    You hold us tight.

Help us to not fear,

           but to trust You.

You are the One

   who tethers us to Yourself.

Help us to see differently,

        even to see in the dark,

that You are good

and Your steadfast love

                endures forever.

You hold us fast.

Keep us faithful to You,

    in what is hard

   and even in favor.

Because someday we will see

       Your goodness in it.