July 17: LEARNING TO DEAL WITH TRAGEDY

There is no rational answer to tragedy. We remember them, we think about them, we wonder how and why they happened but we are left puzzled. Some agree with a statement attributed to the late George Bernard Shaw, “if the other planets are inhabited, they must be using the earth as their lunatic asylum”. It is pure lunacy when people turn on other people and ruthlessly maim and murder. Now the ever-present threat of terrorism adds to the confusion.
Every American has an opinion on the roots of hatred and I have mine, but that is not the question today. Today is, “how do we deal with personal or community tragedy”? The first answer is to double the amount of “loving your neighbor” that you do. No one receives too much love. The more you love, the more you take down the walls of hatred.
In 1 John 4:18 we learn, “there is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”.
Fear in the heart creates suspicion. Suspicion gives way to animosity and animosity to hatred and hatred to deadly acts.
Many people are infected with fear of the opposite sex, other races, different religions, and anyone different from themselves. Only love can remove those fears.
The people who withdraw from you will learn to trust you by receiving your love. Community can be built like that and makes help for all in tragedy.
Another answer is to double your efforts to share God’s love and message. It is rare to ever see protesters at a Memorial Service for a tragedy, no demonstrators. Even cynics and atheists and anti-church folks know that when the chips are down, only God is standing up to give people the ultimate help they need.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way”. (Psalm 46:1-2)

“When the clouds of tragedy begin to gather, Loving Father, we will look
for guidance and comfort from You. You are our ever-present friend. Amen”