The body of Christ needs to stop getting into fear over rumors of possible disasters.  When a bad report comes, you have a choice.  You can face it with fear or you can face it with faith.
Psalm 112:7 (KJV) says, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” The New Living Translation says, “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.”

While most translations use the word “heart,” here in this verse “heart” in the Hebrew is also used to describe the feelings, the will and even the intellect, which sounds like your “mind.”  The word “heart” also is commonly used interchangeably with the word “mind”.

What is your mind fixed on? What are your feelings, will and intellect established in? There is an old song that says, “I woke up this morning with my mind… stayed on Jesus.” The word “stayed” means fixed.  Are your thoughts and affections fixed on Jesus? Colossians 3:2 says to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” The KJV says, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

First of all… when evil tidings or an evil report comes to you, you do not have to be afraid if your “heart (or mind) is fixed, trusting in the Lord.” There will always be some type of negative report that has the potential of coming to your doorstep. When it comes, you do not have to get into fear. 

For example, your doctor may say, “you have an incurable disease and you are not going to make it.” Or, your boss may say, “it looks like we’re going to have to lay you off.” Or, your spouse may say, “it doesn’t look like there’s enough money to make it until the next payday.” All of these reports contain “evil tidings.”  But even more so, these reports present you with an opportunity to fear. 

What is an “evil tiding?"  The word “tiding” in the Hebrew means something heard, an announcement: (something) mentioned, (some) news, (some) report, (some) rumor. Therefore, many times we hear what is passed on in conversation by someone who heard something that they may not be sure of, but got into fear and decided to pass that uncertain or negative report on to you.

Sometimes even in the news we hear reports that do not have all of the facts concerning what is being told; which is why you will hear them say, “We will keep you updated as more of the details come in.” 

The body of Christ needs to stop getting into fear over rumors of possible disasters.  When a bad report comes, you have a choice.  You can face it with fear or you can face it with faith.

When David said in Psalm 112, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings,” I believe David was saying that you don’t have to be afraid. Fear doesn’t have to be an automatic response when bad news comes. Why? Because, “(your) heart is (or can be) fixed (established, prepared, applied to), trusting in the Lord.”

Two of my favorite verses in the Bible are found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which say, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct [Or make smooth or straight] your paths.”

Are your heart and  mind (feelings, will and intellect) fixed on the Lord?  Is your mind made up and established in the fact that you can trust what God’s Word says?  Think about it!