Our nation has been visited by horrific tragedy once again. This time the location was Tucson, Arizona outside one of the local Safeway Stores. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was speaking at an open air event with some of her constituents. The recently re-elected Congresswoman was shot point blank in the head by a would be assassin, who in turn killed six other people including a 9-year-old girl (born on 9-11), before he was restrained by some quick thinking and heroic bystanders. In a matter of a few seconds, multiple lives were changed forever by this senseless, horrific act by an apparently emotionally disturbed young man. Once again, we are confronted with the question “Why?” and “What can we do in response to such tragedy?”

I was called today by a Nationally Syndicated Radio Network and asked to respond to the Tucson tragedy in light of the Oklahoma City bombing 15 ½ year ago on their live radio show. The “why” question is answered by the fact that we live in a fallen world infected and affected by sin. Our world is getting progressively angrier and more evil in a myriad of ways. Unfortunately, this is another example of evil in the heart of Man unleashed on innocent people created in God’s image. It is a tragedy.

What can and should we do in response to such a tragedy? One of Tucson’s Pastors’ Craig Coulter offered some sound advice to his congregation last Sunday. I thought his words were good for us to hear again as well when tragedy happens in our lives,

1. Tell God how you feel. Unload all your feelings and pour out every emotion that you’ve got. Lamentations 2:19 says, “Cry out in the night. Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord.” This is exactly what Job did when he faced crises like no other person in the world. In Job 7:11 he said, “I can’t be quiet. I’m angry. I’m bitter and I have to speak.” Job was brutally honest with God. He told him exactly how he felt. You can too. God can handle your questions and your anger.

2. Praise God in spite of the circumstances. You are going to go through tragedy in life. You’re going to lose loved ones. You’re going to find the foundations come out from under you and things go wrong in your life. But you praise God in spite of the circumstances. You don’t’ wait for an explanation because there’s some things in this world that’s not going to be explained until you get to the other side. This is what Job did when he lost everything he had in one day. “I was born with nothing and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave and now the Lord has taken away.”

3. Ask God for strength and help. When your heart is breaking and you’re confused and angry because of a tragedy…you don’t turn away from God. You turn toward God. And you ask Him for strength because He’s got the strength that you need.
The Bible says in Psalms 105:4 “Look to the Lord for strength.” Job said, “God is the real source of wisdom and strength.” Last Saturday, an entire nation turned in prayer to God for Strength. Nobody was worried about the separation of church and state at that point.

4. Keep focused on God. Jesus said in John 16, “By trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. Count on it! But take heart! I have conquered the world.” He says in the world you’re going to continue to experience difficulties.
But if you belong to Jesus Christ, you do not have to panic – because you have a sure foundation.”

I have a saying on my desk, “The Lord never panics.” I wish that could be said of the guy who sits on the other side of the desk; but I am not that spiritually mature yet. I am thankful the Lord never panics and that He has promised to “never leave me or forsake me.” My confidence is in Him. Only God’s Presence makes any sense of the tragedies of our lives.

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Mark

PS – What whispers have you heard from God this week? Our Wednesday Night Study “The Power of a Whisper” is off to a great start! You can still join us next week. See you this Sunday!