After the Storm

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. Galatians 2:10

I heard a comment recently on AFR that spoke to what good comes from tragedy. I don't remember who was speaking, what program I was listening to at the time, or who they were quoting. But I do remember the words. And the message.

In times of tragedy, people come together to help each other unlike any other times in life.

Often when tragedy hits, people question God. Why would this happen? Wouldn't a loving God take better care of His people? Why me? Couldn't God have prevented it?

There are not easy answers to these questions, but the statement above gives us insight, if we're willing to look into it.

Tragedy, by its very nature, is never pleasant. It's painful, heart-wrenching, and devastating. Loss is never easy. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, of possessions, or of your home. We have an expectation that life's supposed to be easy and go our way. Bad things aren't supposed to happen and when they do, we're caught off guard and want to blame God.

However, while in control of every detail of everything in the universe, God is not to blame. God knew before He set the foundations of the earth that sin would enter the world, and with it pain, disaster, and trials. But just as we have children knowing that they will most likely rebel against us, God created us for the love that would be returned in relationship.

Our parental instinct tells us that we'd protect our children from everything bad that we can, and wouldn't God do the same if He loved us? No. Because easy and pleasant isn't always what's best for us.

One of the reasons my heart is so drawn towards the people who most recently experienced tragedy in the form of devastating tornadoes is because I've lived through a natural disaster. Not nearly as life-changing as what most people are going through now, but I have an inkling of the emotions and difficulties attached. And so I'm compelled to give.

And so are thousands of other people. Whether they've been through disasters or not. They are compelled to help others who are hurting. Whether they know them or not. They are cleaning out their houses, buying extra groceries, delivering goods and donating money.

People are coming together to help each other.

And this is only one way good comes from tragedy. We are willing to get out of our regular routine and get outside our selfishness and think of others. It brings joy to us to be useful and joy to those we help to know someone cares.

The good that can come out of tragedy doesn't take away the pain, but it helps lesson it. It doesn't make it easy, but it makes it easier.

When I recognize what others have lost and focus on what I can do for them, I quit grumbling about the little things like a clogged sink or stepping on legos or piles of laundry. And I will learn to always Praise God in the Storms.