I’ve Got Good News!

Louisa Ikena contrasts the negativity of the world with the Good News our faith offers us. 

What we focus and dwell on becomes magnified. At times, I feel bombarded by the negative. There is so much darkness in the world. And in this day and age full details of events as reported are available 24/7. It’s hard to escape the negative.

Then a whole other layer is added to this focus on the darkness when I think about negative self-talk. Sure, I can turn off the news in the sources of media in my life, but can I turn off the negativity in my mind? The truth is I can’t, God can, and I’m going to let God. I can’t turn off my negative self-talk by my own power alone.

But God can. When I come to believe that God is greater than any past, current, or potential darkness, I can confirm the Scriptural truth, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

Yet it is not enough to acknowledge that I don’t have the power and to believe that God does. I need to surrender. Very specifically, one moment at a time, I surrender all to God.

The Payoff

One prayer I love to pray is, “Lord, help me find in You, what I’m looking for in this.” Whatever this is, that’s what I need to give to God. In the case of negative self-talk, I need to give to God whatever payoffs it holds for me. There can be an attachment to victimhood for me because in that state I don’t have to take responsibility. I might choose to beat myself up before someone else has chance to. I might try to control the uncontrollable, even in detrimental ways. The truth is, God is in control. When I release my need and desire to control, I find peace.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, announcing peace, bringing good news, announcing salvation, saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” (Isaiah 52:7)

When I am stuck and caught up in negativity and can’t see a way out, I’ve got some good news.

Grace and Eucharist

With God there is grace. The grace of God is undeserved favor. This free gift from God comes to us every moment of every day.

How are we called to respond to grace? All we can do is humbly say thank you. We are called to accept it and give thanks. With hearts of gratitude, we say thank you. And, by God’s Providence, this thanksgiving is a sacrament. The word Eucharist means Thanksgiving. Jesus is truly present Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. After reception of Holy Communion at any given Mass, all we can do is humbly say thank you.

A prayer of gratitude

Thank you for Your Presence, Lord. Thank you for Your forgiveness. Thank you for all Your blessings, great and small. Thank you for the gift of health and a sound mind. Thank you for food, clothing, and shelter that You provide for me in abundance. Thank you for reliable transportation and freedom to roam. Thank you for safety, just for today. With all the bad news we can get caught up in, please help me focus on gratitude and the Gospel. Our God is King! I’ve got some Good News!

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Copyright 2026 Louisa Ann Irene Ikena
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