As Pastors and church leaders, it can be difficult to communicate to our people the difficult questions posed by natural disasters like those currently occurring in Maui. It is understandable that when we are confronted with tragedies, our first question is often, "Why would God allow this to happen?" Like you, I don't have all the answers, but in this week's blog, I want to offer some faith-based perspectives to help in communicating with our churches and prayerfully help our people process the events and how we can support those affected.
The question of "why" is a natural response, a desire to understand the chaos and make sense of the senseless. And we often think that if we could comprehend a reason and purpose behind it, all the pain would somehow be easier to bear. However, this perspective, although common, does not truly aid us during times of crisis. For it is not in explanations that we find solace, but in strength, comfort, support, and the salvation our Savior offers.
Even amid tragedies, our faith tells us that the primary concern of God is not to provide us with a rationale behind the tragedy but to encourage us to trust Him and live by faith. Through this lens, we must look at the disasters around us and our lives. Our ability to deal with crises is not rooted in understanding why these happen but rather in our willingness to trust God regardless of circumstances.
We may still be left with questions and an aching heart, but we can take courage in the knowledge that God will never leave or forsake us. This does not mean the pain is any less real or the hurt is insignificant; however, it gives us hope to cling to when all else fails.
Embrace Faith Even In Tragedy
Experiencing tragedy can lead us on an unexpected journey of faith. This journey involves trust, surrender, and humility as we recognize that we cannot fully understand the complexities of life. Faith acts as a guiding light and anchor during difficult times. It does not ignore our pain but helps us accept it and grow closer to God. Faith is not about finding reasons for our suffering but seeking comfort, strength, and assurance from God. It encourages us to move beyond our doubts and fears and find peace in God's love and wisdom. Even in tragedy, we are never alone. God is there, shaping us into something new. Instead of questioning why we suffer, we should seek God's presence in our pain. Through this, we become vessels of love and grace and can support others through difficult times. Understanding faith in tragedy changes our perspective, shifting our focus from grief to God's goodness, doubts to His promises, and pain to His purpose for us.
We often find ourselves trapped in the cycle of 'why,' seeking answers to appease the turmoil within us. Yet, this approach only distracts us from the healing process and may lead us into a more bottomless pit of despair. Rather than asking why, we should ask, 'How can I trust God in this situation?' or 'What can I learn from this experience?' By shifting our focus from understanding the reason behind tragedies to trusting God's sovereignty, we open ourselves to His healing and comforting presence.
God's ways are indeed beyond our comprehension. As stated in Isaiah 55:8-9, "'My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the LORD. 'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" This truth reminds us that God's perspective is infinitely greater than ours. His wisdom and understanding surpass our human capabilities, making it impossible for us to grasp the magnitude of His plans and purposes fully.
Instead of attempting to rationalize the tragedies we have in this world, we should focus on trusting God's unfathomable wisdom. His ways are not always clear to us, especially during times of crisis, but we can be assured that His plans are driven by love and designed for the ultimate good. Again, this doesn't eliminate suffering but offers hope that transcends our understanding. Embracing the mystery of God's ways can lead to a deeper reliance on Him and a more profound experience of His peace and comfort.
The Role of Trust in Tragedy
Trust is a central pillar of faith, a stone that builds our relationship with God. Trusting God means believing in His reliability, truth, and ability, even when our circumstances are challenging and our path is unclear. It means accepting God's will, even if it's different from our desires or expectations. When we trust God, we acknowledge He knows what is best for us and surrender our need for control. Trusting God is not a passive acceptance of circumstances but a bold declaration of faith in His love and wisdom.
Living by faith means letting our belief in God shape the way we make decisions and take action. Instead of relying solely on our understanding and desires, we seek God's guidance and trust Him to lead us. We choose to do things that align with our faith. We trust God with our needs, dreams, fears, and future. Living by faith doesn't mean we never doubt or struggle but trust God even during those challenges. It's a constant journey of growth, surrender, and transformation.
Trusting God is such a powerful way to find resilience when facing tragedy. It helps us process our grief and move ahead with hope. During pain, knowing that God is right there with us, loving and providing for us, gives us the strength we need. We might not always understand why things happen, but what matters most is having God's presence by our side.
God's Comfort and Strength
God's comfort and strength are incredible, especially when life deals with tragedies. They're like a guiding light, leading us through the darkest nights and reminding us of His love. When something tragic happens, it's hard to see beyond the pain. But remember, God promised to be there for us, to bring comfort in our struggles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). His comfort isn't just a pat on the back or a sympathetic nod; it's a deep solace that helps us keep going when we feel like we can't.
During all the chaos, God gives us strength. We can see His strength when we discover endurance we didn't even realize we had when we're going through tough times and feeling weak and tired. In those moments, we witness the fulfillment of His promise in Isaiah 40:29: "He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless."
In tragedy, it's in our weakest moments God's strength shines the brightest. We can find the strength to keep going by holding onto His promises. His comfort helps us get through times of sorrow, and His power gives us what we need to face the challenges of a new day. God's comfort and strength don't magically make the tragedies disappear, but they do give the support we need to get through them. They remind us that we're not alone; our Savior walks with us every step of the way, even carrying us when we can't carry ourselves.
God's comfort and strength aren't just abstract ideas but real experiences. They assure us of His love and presence. Even though we may not always understand why something has happened, we can trust that God is good and find comfort and strength in Him.
Practical Ways to Help Those in Crisis
It's not just about offering prayers and emotional support when tragedy strikes. We also need to take tangible actions to help ease the suffering of those affected. One of the most immediate ways to make a difference is by providing physical aid. This can be in food, clothing, shelter, or financial assistance. Donating to trustworthy relief organizations ensures that our resources reach those who most need them.
One such group that I know and love is Convoy of Hope. They are an exemplary organization that reflects the heart of Jesus, bringing help and hope to those affected by tragedies. Founded in 1994, this faith-based, humanitarian-relief organization has worked tirelessly to feed the world through children's feeding initiatives, community outreach, and disaster response. Their mission is to bring help and hope to impoverished, hungry, and hurting people.
Convoy of Hope has served millions throughout its journey, showing God's love in tangible ways to the needy and the distraught. They have been the hands and feet of Jesus to disaster-stricken regions, distributing food, water, and emergency supplies and conducting community events to help rebuild lives.
In the face of the wildfires in Hawaii, as is the norm, they were one of the first organizations on the ground, providing immediate relief through the local church. Their teams work diligently to coordinate logistics, connecting with local churches to serve the victims effectively.
Supporting Convoy of Hope is a practical way to extend our compassion and significantly impact the lives of those in the Maui crisis. By contributing to their mission, we join a convoy of love, service, and hope, bringing relief and transformation to the hurting of this tragedy.
As we grapple with the harsh realities of the bad things that happen in this world, those going through them must know they are not alone. Amid the devastation, we can demonstrate God's love in practical ways; as we support and contribute, we partake in a journey of faith, trusting in God's goodness even in the face of adversity. We must remember that our faith is not about understanding every detail of the world's tragedies but about relying on God's comfort and strength. Even in the darkest times, God is working and calls us to join Him in that work. Let's answer that call with faith, trust, and action, knowing we serve a bigger God than any tragedy.