How Should I Respond to a Tragedy in my Life?
CONVERSATIONS:
At no point does anyone look forward to the pain of tragedy in his life. But when calamities overtake us, how should we respond? Our response can affect what it will make of us.
What we know about tragedies should help us decide how to respond to them:
Tragedies reveal where our security lies. Tragedies are very revealing. They reveal the contents of our hearts: what moves and shakes us, what is of utmost important to us, and upon which our security lies -- whether on this earth or in eternity. It also reveals how we view God. Is He the villain in this situation, or is He our true and trustworthy ally?
Pain in a Christian believer can precipitate a longing for God. Conversely, pain for a non Christian believer can precipitate more unbelief and revulsion, as it did in the case with Job's wife who urged him to "curse God and die." [Job 2:9] (http://www.thechristianmessage.org/2010/11/ho-everyone-who-thirsts-come-to-waters.html)
ACTION POINT: Recall a time when you experienced pain. How did you respond to God in the face of tragedy or pain? Did it drive you away from Him, or did it draw you near?
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In the face of tragedy, God offers His comfort. One could feel so alone in the face of suffering -- like no one understands what you are going through. But in times of our deepest pain, the Bible shows us that the Lord is our best ally. He who did not spare His own Son in order to save us from eternal death is worthy of our trust. The following Scripture passages are like invitations for us to draw near to God in the midst of pain. It tells us that God is "near to the brokenhearted and saves those that are crushed in spirit." It also says that "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Ps. 34:18, 147:3) No wonder He is known as the God of all comfort. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
ACTION POINT: How has God proven Himself worthy of your trust?
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In this light, should life's catastrophes come your way, would you still consider God worthy of your trust? Why or why not?
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___________________________________________________________ Tragedies make us wiser. Not only do tragedies reveal the state of our hearts; we also come to understand the pain other people go through. When we draw near to God in our pain, we come to know Him in a deeper way. We develop a perspective of life on earth in light of eternity. And when that happens, we emerge wiser.
Until we walk in the shoes of the broken and pained, our understanding of the human condition is limited. Having gone through pain will help us empathize with others. And if we have experienced the comfort of God, then we are able to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves received:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction , so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
In this life, we will know suffering -- that is something we can expect. God's people in Bible times experienced it: Job , Joseph , John the Baptist are just some examples. Our Lord Jesus Himself was not spared from death. But we hold on to our faith knowing that there is a bigger picture that involves a sovereign and loving God and His wonderful plan of redemption with eternity in view. And so we can remain faithful and full of faith!
ACTION POINT: This week, study the lives of one of the following: Job (The Book of Job, especially chapters 40-42), Joseph (Genesis 37-50, esp. 45: 5-8 and 50:16-20), or John the Baptist (Matthew 3, 11:1-15, 14:1-13). In your journal, write down what perspectives about tragedy you gain from their story.
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Learning about tragedies may not spare us from pain when it befalls us, but hopefully it will help us respond appropriately - by going to God and seeking comfort from Him, inclining our ears to His words and trusting Him to heal us in His own time.
Let's pray:
Heavenly Father, You did not promise us a pain-free life. But You did promise to be with us when our hearts are broken. Help us to choose to come to You with the broken pieces of our hearts. Only You will know how to heal us. Thank You for the assurance of Your comfort and Your presence. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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