Can there Be Hope in Tragedy - Part I
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”
Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
Our local community has experienced tragedy in the last couple of weeks. The pain has been palpable, the hurt heavy, and the grief overwhelming. There has been no understanding of why things have happened the way they have, and the prayers for those left behind have been without ceasing. As a people we have grieved, lost sleep, encouraged, and promised to walk together, but the marked characteristic of a tragedy is that things will never be the same again.
As we walk into the days ahead which will turn into months and years, the pain and grief and loss is so heavy, yet it must be carried. Life as we now know it will become the new normal, yet unthinkable pain will be a part of everyday life for so many now.
How do we rectify this with our faith? Can we?
We have little control as to how things in this world occur, yet we have a lot of control concerning our response to them. Will we bow our knee to the Sovereign God of the Universe, or will we shake our fist at Him and declare we know better? This response will determine whether we continue to walk in faith with the Almighty or whether we walk away from Him. The loss of our faith is not in the struggle and the questioning, it is when we walk away from the trust. When we decide we know better and begin to distrust the heart of the Father, we are walking on dangerous ground. We may have to hang on for dear life to come to the realization that we are not in charge and there are things that will not only never make sense to us, but they will cause pain every single time we think about them or grieve the loss for the 1,000,000th time. Choosing to trust God does not deviate from the truth that tragedy is unfair, unimaginable, and beyond heartbreaking. It means choosing to know this life has a greater purpose and it will not last forever.
As you walk through the darkest of days and the heaviest of storms, what is your choice? Though the answer may not come easily or without wrestling for days and nights, at the end of it, a choice is demanded. Is Jesus Christ your solid rock on which your faith stands on?
Whether you are in the midst of a tragedy or preparing for this life which is promised to be full of pain, choose wisely. Your choice makes all the difference.