Candi's Devotional

Ezra 9:1-6
Nehemiah 1:1-4

In the verses above, Ezra and Nehemiah find themselves in distress. Ezra has just been told by the leaders that the people of Israel have intermarried with neighboring people (v1-2); something the Lord commanded them not to do. Meanwhile, Nehemiah has been told by his brother, Hanani, that those who survived exile, returned to Jerusalem to find broken walls and burnt gates (v3).
Everyone has at one point in time gotten bad news or been asked the proverbial question "are you sitting down?" One minute life is flowing and the next minute it's been turned upside down.
Bad news doesn't always come in the form of death or sickness. No. For some it’s family drama, job loss, economic struggles, or as many of us are accustomed to, being put on financial hold.
So bad news happens yes but as the quote says, "It's not the situation...It's your reaction to the situation."
How will you react when a bad news bear visits you? Let's look at how Ezra and Nehemiah reacted.
Ezra was so appalled at the actions of his people, that he not only tore his cloak but pulled hair from his head and beard (v3). Nehemiah sat and mourned for days over their disobedience (v4).
Now you may think that tearing your clothes, pulling out your hair and crying for days is a lil over the top. But we react similarly. We have slumps of depression fueled by our desire to sleep. We skip class/work and stay home. We find ourselves hitting the ignore button on our cell phones. Or you can't get us to stay off the phone, rehashing the events of our day to every sister-girl or homeboy that will listen.
Now ask yourself. Self, is this how God would wants me to react? I don't think so but at one point or another we've all been guilty of pouting and moping. How instead should we react to bad news?
We should instead do as Ezra did in verse 5, fall on our knees before the Lord. Or as Nehemiah did. He mourned, fasted and prayed for days before the God of heaven (v4). Both Ezra and Nehemiah realized that God was the solution to their problems. He's the solution to our problems as well, no matter how great or small. So talk to him.
Communication with the Father aka prayer, which is a form of worship, causes us to focus on who God is and focus less on our own issues, problems, questions and concerns.
I dare you to try Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8) Wake up, get outta bed, hang up with sister-girl or homeboy and fall on your knees before the Lord your God, the creator of heaven and earth and pray. He orders your steps, (Psalm 37:23) so the God who brought you to it, can certainly bring you through it.
Bad news happens...remember to talk to author of the Good News.