There is good news. I need to remind myself of this periodically so I don’t get lost in difficult news and circumstances. Jobs, health, relationships, things in my control and things out of my control leave me feeling as though there is nothing good happening around me.

It is easy to get caught up in the negative. I mull it over repeatedly day after day. I commiserate with others who share the sentiment. It gets increasingly difficult to see anything positive. I begin to wonder where God is in all of it. I question the purpose of suffering, isolation and oppression.

I need to pause and remind myself of my own story. I remind myself of the very personal encounters with Jesus, with unconditional love, with forgiveness, with grace. There is good news.

His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time—he’s told us this quite plainly—he’ll also rock the heavens: “One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern.” The phrase “one last shaking” means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered. ^28-29 Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire! (Hebrews 12: 27-29 MSG).

Becoming vulnerable and allowing myself to experience the gift of Jesus is the best choice I’ve made. It has led to the healing of deep dark wounds. It has taught me what unconditional love is, how to share it and how to accept it. There is good news! This is the good news.

Are you stuck in the negative? Are you willing to focus on the good news? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.