TRAGEDY

How should I respond when tragedy strikes?

God's Response:
I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, "Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire." When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven... "The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayers!... Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into His heart to be kind to me."
Nehemiah 1:2-4; 2:10-11

Our Takeaway:
Nehemiah was deeply grieved about the condition of Jerusalem, but he didn't just brood about it. After his initial grief, he still mourned, prayed, and poured out his heart to God, and he looked for ways to improve the situation. Nehemiah put all his resources of knowledge, experience, and organization into determining what to do.

When you receive tragic news, the first thing to do is pray. Then seek ways to move beyond grief to specific action that helps those who need it.

God's Promise:
Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive and inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
We are to respond to the tragedies of life by practicing the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ and being completely conscious of the indwelling Holy Spirit who resides within us. We don't have to go through the trials, tribulation and storms of life alone, because our Sovereign Savior sent us a Comforter to guide us and encourage us through the rough waters of life.
Isaiah 43:1-2

It is critical to know the promises and truths of God's Word - this is where we find peace; this is where we discover the treasure in our tragedies. This is where God does His greatest work in us, where He stretches our faith and strengthens our trust and dependence in Him alone.
John 16:33

Being anchored in Christ and confident in His Word allows us to realize that we are blessed and protected beyond our greatest imagination. God is our refuge and fortress in times of uncertainty and treacherous waters.
Psalm 23

It is human nature to avoid trials, it is Godly nature to persevere through them. Worship God and seek Him in the midst of tragedy - let Him use your trials to draw you closer to Him.
Isaiah 26:9

"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.