How should I handle tragedy? - Tragedy - TouchPoints

Romans 8:34-37Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Psalm 146:5But happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

Psalm 147:11Rather, the Lord’s delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Whatever the cause, whatever the circumstances, face life with the full assurance of God’s unfailing love for you. Tragedy is temporary, limited only to this earth. God’s love is eternal and everlasting. In fact, it is God’s love that will lead you to a place where tragedy will be no more.

Isaiah 33:2But Lord, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strength each day and our salvation in times of trouble.

Proverbs 10:25Disaster strikes like a cyclone, whirling the wicked away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

Proverbs 3:25-26You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Matthew 7:24-27Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.

Psalm 37:18-19Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

Ecclesiastes 9:12When a tornado sweeps away a home, the foundation remains, a sturdy place upon which to rebuild. When the winds of tragedy strike, even if they blow away everything dear to you, you need a strong foundation upon which you can rebuild: God’s love, power, and faithfulness is that foundation. You may not be able to understand what is happening, but you can trust God to see you through.

2 Chronicles 20:9, 12, 15-24They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.

Deuteronomy 26:7we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors. He heard us and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression.

Psalm 34:6I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears.

Psalm 66:17For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke.

Psalm 77:1I cry out to God without holding back. Oh, that God would listen to me!

Psalm 120:1I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

Jeremiah 17:17Lord, do not desert me now! You alone are my hope in the day of disaster.

Psalm 78:7So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

Psalm 55:2Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

Go directly and immediately to God—to listen to him, trust him, and find strength in him.

Luke 15:17-24When he finally came to his senses, he said ‘ . . . I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.”’ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him . . . his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! . . . We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

If your tragedy is brought on by your own sin, confess, repent, return to God, and receive his forgiveness.

Psalm 31:24So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Psalm 39:7And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

Romans 15:4Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises.

Psalm 61:2From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

Jeremiah 17:7, 17But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence . . . Lord, do not desert me now! You alone are my hope in the day of disaster.

Psalm 42:11Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

Psalm 62:5I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

Allow tragedy to bring you closer to God, not farther away from him. Tragedy can destroy your faith or help you walk more closely with God – the choice is yours

2 Corinthians 6:4In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

Proverbs 24:15-16Do not lie in wait like an outlaw at the home of the godly. And don’t raid the house where the godly live. They may trip seven times, but each time they will rise again. But one calamity is enough to lay the wicked low.

2 Corinthians 12:10Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Patiently endure, but not alone. Your best support comes from God and godly people by your side.

2 Corinthians 8:2Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity.

In times of tragedy, it is easy to focus inward, only on yourself and the bitter pill you have to swallow. Instead of feeling depressed or sorry for yourself, look outward to others’ needs. As you respond to the needs of others you will find your own troubles put into perspective and weighing less.

Psalm 50:15Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

Trust God, and then be ready to give him credit for all he does to care for you. Tragedy is not new, but that doesn’t make it any less surprising or painful. Ask God to give you strength to endure so that your life glorifies him.