Psalm 112:7 (NIV) reads:
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
I just received some bad news. An opportunity that I thought was a ‘dream opportunity’ closed due to a misunderstanding. What I considered the chance of a lifetime just disappeared before my very own eyes. It is terribly difficult to see it slip through my fingers and not be able to do anything about it. It is that feeling of powerlessness that as humans we find so frustrating.
Let me be honest with you… it hurts. And it hurts deeply. I had set my heart and my eyes upon this. Perhaps to such a degree that I took my eyes and my heart off the Lord? Not even sure what to think. It has only been an hour since this door for which I was so excited closed on me. Actually, it did not even close – it was slammed on my face and I am still in shock.
I look at what prompted it and I wish I could take back an email that I quickly and carelessly sent out this morning while doing 5 other things. What if…
And yet although I am so powerless I do know one thing. That the Lord doesn’t sleep… He hasn’t stopped taking care of me. My life is still in His hands. My present and my future belong to Him. Had He wanted this door to remain open, it would still be open right now.
But it is still sad.
And it still hurts.
I will think about the what-ifs for a while… but hopefully my heart will not linger on them.
Ohhh that my heart would only rest on Him! It’s the only place worthwhile…
So even though this piece of bad news saddens me… I do not fear it. Because my life is in His hands! (said he with tears welling up in his eyes)
The entire Psalm below for your edification and encouragement from Biblegateway.
Psalm 112 (New International Version)
1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
10 The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.