I felt my phone buzz with a text message. It was my sister, sharing a link to the latest bit of terrible news she’d read online. I gasped at the awfulness of it and sent back a link to an equally disturbing story.

Everywhere Bad News

For the last few years, I’ve traded information about current events with a small group of likeminded people. We’ve lamented over the increasing number of drug overdoses, cases of child abuse and people who are choosing lifestyles that go against God’s Word. We’ve also worried over the increase in the number of people who don’t believe in any kind of religion at all.

Equally alarming are the stories about Christians who are being persecuted. 

We know that the Bible says we will face trouble in this world (see John 16:33). Jesus said we should count it as gain if the world hates us because it hated Him first (see John 15:18). But it’s still hard for me not to become angry and sad at what is happening in the world. I know that God is still in charge of everything that happens, but when I read these awful stories, I feel discouraged.

Wrong Focus

One day, my 15-year-old son, Nathan, and I were in the car and my phone buzzed with a text. Since I was driving, I asked Nathan to read it to me. 

“It’s a news story from Aunt Mandy,” he said, and then he read yet another awful headline.

I nodded. “There’s a lot of bad news in the world today.”

“I know there is. But why do you spread it around?”

I glanced at him in surprise. “What do you mean? We’re just sharing information.”

“Yeah, but it’s all bad. Jesus told us to share the good news.”

“Yes,” I retorted, “and I share the gospel with people whenever I have the opportunity. Sharing stories about current events is just one of the ways that Aunt Mandy and I stay in touch.”

He shrugged. “It just seems like you’re focusing more on the bad news than on what God is doing.”

Time Well Spent?

I started to tell him that he didn’t understand, that I was just trading important information with friends and loved ones. But before I could finish my thought, I realized that my teenage son might have a point. 

When was the last time I’d shared a story about someone coming to Christ or beating an addiction with God’s help? Surely those stories were out there. They just weren’t as readily available as all the negative news.

I was focusing on all the trouble in the world. But the Bible says that the ultimate victory belongs to God and that He will put an end to all the immorality and pain in this world when He decides the time is right (see Proverbs 21:30-31). Why wasn’t I focusing on that? Why wasn’t I spending my time sharing good news stories?

The Ultimate Good News

I called my sister and told her about my conversation with Nathan. 

“My news texts are going to be different from now on,” I said. “We know that God is good and His love for us never changes. Going forward, I’m going to only share news stories that reflect that truth. I’m going to focus on what God is doing.”

Days later, I saw that a celebrity was turning away from her past and letting God change her life. I thanked God for her bravery and willingness to share what He was doing in her life. I prayed that she would influence her many followers toward opening their hearts to God. 

I shared the story with my small circle. 

“Look what God is doing,” I said. “Souls are still being won every day.” 

Since changing my focus to God’s work, I’ve not only felt more hopeful and positive, but I’ve also felt closer to God. Looking for evidence that He is still at work in this world—and in the lives of His people—reminds me that God doesn’t give up on anyone. Not ever. By sharing good news stories, I can point others to the ultimate good news of God’s saving grace.

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