All I can do.
Tragedy.
I don’t know how to tell non-Christians how to deal with unbelievable tragedy. I don’t know what to say when they ask how I believe in a good God when the unthinkable happens. I don’t have all the answers, I really don’t.
All I can do is go back to God’s promises and lean and trust, even when I don’t “feel” like He could possibly care about us. Even when I don’t “feel” His love. I know he did not promise an easy life. He promised trouble. And He doesn’t tell us why.
But He does tell us that He will be with us. He tells us that He will never forsake us. He does tell us that He has a good plan. He tells us that the fire will not consume us. He tells us that He fights for us. That if He is for us, who can be against us? He tells us that we do not mourn without hope.
He is good and we cannot possibly understand Him. So all we can do is trust. And turn to Him in worship, humility, and in repentance.
Let the tragedies of this world turn your face to Him who can fix everything, even if He doesn’t choose to when we think He should. Run without abandon to His loving embrace and trust in the promises He gives us in His Word.
I know that without Him, I would crumble. I would not be able to handle the weight of the world without being able to cry out to Him and give it to Him to carry. God can take our questions and doubts. He is big enough to take our fears and frustrations. He forgives, even when we get mad at Him when He is last one to deserve our anger.
Call me weak, call this a “crutch”. I don’t really care, because I know that deep down, no matter how strong anyone is on the outside, we all are crying out for answers, we are all crying out for comfort. We are all weak and feeble (try going without food for a few days – or getting shot in the stomach – and tell me that you are strong and can handle anything with grace and strength). And God knows our frames, He made us this way. He made us to need Him. Recognizing our need of Him is what sets Christians apart. He shows His strength in our weakness.
So I urge you, brothers and sisters, to turn to Him in your distress. Turn to Him when you are horrified. Turn to Him because there is nowhere else we can find true comfort in times like these.
to seek joy 