Tragedy Strikes…

All of us go through times of tragedy. Hard. Shocking. Life-changing. Miserable. Devastating. Tragedy strikes all of us. The question is what about After tragedy?

If this is where you are today, please know that I have prayed for you even now. As I write, I write in prayer, too. You need to know that you are not alone. God loves you and never forsakes you. Jesus promised to never leave you. The Holy Spirit indwells you and prays for you according to the will of God, even as you are in the midst of this tragedy. Thankfully, God speaks to you today through His Word, as well.

Please allow those words to sink deeply into your heart, you are not alone right now; the entire Godhead is with you, loves you, and cares for you in the midst of this season.

But, what about after tragedy? When tragedy hits, how do you handle it? What do you do?

It is beyond the scope of this two-part article to give you every way you should respond to tragedy; however, allow me to help you get in the right position to handle it. In Part One, we will consider together the context of tragedy.

The Context of Tragedy

In the Book of James, tragedy exists. Jesus is gone. Before He left, He promised to come back again. All of that was before the persecution began. Everyone was content and excited to wait for Jesus’ return in Jerusalem, but then, tragedy struck. Stephen is killed for his faith. These new fledgling Christians began to scatter all over.

I know you may be in the midst of your own very deep tragedy, but for a moment, try to capture what they are thinking. For a moment, walk in their shoes with them. Each one of them had trusted in the resurrected Jesus. A major part of their belief system was based upon the soon return of Jesus. Consider the story of the Gospel as they believed it and rehearsed it to each other. Specifically, think of the timing of everything.

– Jesus ministered for three years with the disciples.
– On His way to Jerusalem, thousands greet Him. We call this Triumphal Sunday or Palm Sunday.
– By mid-week, Jesus eats with His disciples at the last supper.
– They leave the upper room to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.
– Judas, the Chief Priest, Temple guards, and Roman guards come and arrest Jesus.
– The trial and beating.
– The crucifixion.
– Three days of agonizing grief.
– Finally, the Resurrection.
– Forty days of various interaction.
– Joy. Comfort. Hope again.
– But seemingly out of nowhere, the ascension – with a promise from the angels.
– “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
– Day one. Day two. Three. Four. Five. …
– Pentecost. They are each filled with the Spirit.
– Many are getting saved as they hear about Jesus.
– Don’t forget! He’s coming back! Just as He ascended, He’s coming back!
– Peter and John get arrested and released twice.
– Stephen gets martyred. He did nothing wrong. He served selflessly. No way he deserved death.
– People begin to run for their lives.
– But what about waiting here for the return of Jesus?
– Tragedy.

What would you be thinking?

How would you respond?

Think of the swing in emotion. For the new Christian, they hear of the living, resurrected Lord. Part and parcel of this Gospel story is the promise for Him to return. Yes, Jesus said that it is not for them to know the times nor seasons; however, as soon as He disappeared in the clouds, the angel promised He would return in like manner.

It only took three days for the resurrection. Jesus remained with them for forty days.

But now, it has been many days. People are dying. The Christians scattered. The joy of daily meeting in the Temple court and other places, the sermons from the apostles, the shared meals, the daily increase of the church through belief, the continual stirring of the baptismal water, along with everything else they understood and enjoyed together in Jerusalem is now gone.

They wander about in very small groups. They have very little money or food. Rich people are abusing them in various ways as they try to make enough money to live.

Tragedy.

After Tragedy…

In Part Two, we will pick up this story and help you get in the right position to handle your own personal tragedy.

For today, it is essential for you to understand the context of this biblical tragedy so that you can prepare to better handle your own.

Further, remember and cherish the fact that you are not alone. Regardless if anyone else is with you or not, the entire Godhead is. God the Father. Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit. They each are with you, love you, and care for you. My prayer is that you will receive the comfort of Their presence, love, and care even now.