How do we respond to tragedy? Be careful how you answer that because we are not always sure how we will respond.
In this e-devotion closing out the week I challenge us to look at how we respond to tragedy and horrific happenings that are close to us and those that are far from us, those that touch our lives and those that seem to be of no impact on us.
We are thousands of miles from Uvalde, Texas where a teenager with a gun killed so many elementary students and a few adults this week. We live thousands and thousands of miles from Ukraine where fighting continues.
Yet I was less than one mile from the hotel that recently exploded due to a gas leak in Cuba. I was close by when a friend’s daughter passed away a few months ago and one of the first people at their home.
And the list goes on and on. Some tragedies we are close to and some we are not. But wait… some people are close to all places where bad things happen. I mean close. That is where Jesus comes in. Remember this:
Matthew 14:14 NLT
Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Like Jesus did, have compassion for and on the people who are close to and touched by the most difficult things that happen in life. Be careful when you are far off or when it feels like nothing can touch your life.
We really are only seconds from something happening right where we are. I pray that is not the case, but there is someone, someone you know, that is gong through something today or tomorrow that will change their lives. Be compassionate toward others.
Psalm 86:1 NLT
Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help.
Pray for those in need and pray much. Whatever happened, whether death is around or pain and heartache, prayer is always the right things to do. Prayer takes us to the one who can make a difference. Prayer often changes the ones who are praying. Prayer is our acknowledgement that we need God.
Deuteronomy 1:29-30 NLT
“But I said to you, ‘Don’t be shocked or afraid of them! 30 The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt.
Don’t be shocked by tragedy when it comes. All of us have been through things that we don’t expect, don’t want in our lives or really don’t know how to deal with. Don’t be shocked. Know that not only is God with you, but our faithful God has gone before us. he will get us through whatever is going on.
This week there has been several things that have come in to my life. The report on Southern Baptist sexual abuse hurt my heart. The death of a college friend’s daughter broke my heart. The horrible shooting at Rob Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas tore up my stomach and my heart. A couple who used to live in our area that lost a baby recently, are dealing with health issues and struggling financially hurts my heart as well.
All of those are tough. How will we respond when tragedy hits close to us or far from us?
Have compassion on people. Pray to God. Don’t shocked and live by faith. That seems to be a great response when tragedy happens.
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