What To Do When Tragedy Strikes
// Have you ever had one of those weeks… or months… or years… when you CAN’T handle one. more. thing on your plate?
“This is enough now. I need relief.”
“I can’t do it anymore. God, You need to help me now.”
“I’m finished.”
We’ve ALL felt those emotions at one time or another, haven’t we?
- Perhaps, like some of my friends, it’s been a week with sick kids and little to no sleep.
- Perhaps, like another friend, you’ve just received an astronomical repair bill that you have NO way of paying.
- Or maybe there are relationship tensions that are filling your life with unimaginable stress.
- Or maybe, like my husband, you are currently at the bank trying to track down the source of fraudulent charges made on your credit card. Hundreds of dollars stolen in seconds, but the repercussions may last for days and weeks to come.
Or worse yet…
- Just before pressing ‘Publish’ today, we got heartbreaking news that our friend’s mother was just killed, caught in the crossfire between police and criminals in Johannesburg. The family is in shock, and we are all heartbroken by yet another senseless tragedy.
Stress. Frustration. Discouragement. Heartache.
More than we can bear.
How can I possibly support any of these people in my life? How can I possibly change ANY of their situations?
No matter how much I love them, I can’t fix this… But I can PRAY! Click To TweetI CAN PRAY.
And I CAN WORSHIP and tap those divine resources that are at my disposal when I spend time in His presence. I can change the atmosphere around me, and open heaven for those around me too. //
I CAN ALSO CHANGE WHAT I SAY OUT LOUD and start declaring the goodness of God in the middle of crisis and tragedy.
I CAN CHANGE WHAT I THINK ABOUT and choose to fix my eyes on HIM and the truth of His Word. Now.
Today, I started with Psalm 54:4 (in different translations).
This is what God’s Word says to us in times of crisis…
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me.” (Psalm 54:4 NIV)
“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” (Psalm 54:4 ESV)
“Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” (Psalm 54:4 NASB)
“God is my helper! The Lord is the provider for my life.” (Psalm 54:4 GOD’S WORD® Translation)
“But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!” (Psalm 54:4 NLT)
God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! (Psalm 54:4 NLT) Click To Tweet
The Bible also says this…
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
“Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me; O Lord, be my helper” (Psalm 31:10).
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18).
“For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the Lord sustains the righteous” (Psalm 37:17).
“When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand” (Psalm 37:24).
“The Lord sustains all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14).
Sometimes, the only support that matters is praying and pointing people to Jesus! Click To Tweet
Father, thank You for never abandoning us, even when we feel like the world is caving in around us. You are not surprised by circumstances, nor are You overwhelmed by the headlines.
I pray for those who are exhausted and need physical healing and emotional support today. I pray for those who are in trouble and need You to be the WayMaker in their situation.
I pray for those who are broken hearted and desperately need You to comfort and sustain them in their tragedy.
Father, we choose to trust You with ALL the details of our lives.
We look to You. We worship You. We love You.
Amen
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Every Friday, I join an inspiring group of writers to write for FIVE MINUTES on a one-word prompt. No editing. No revising. Just WRITE. This week, the prompt word was SUPPORT.
// indicates the start and stop of the timer.
For more information on Five Minute Friday, check out the Five Minute Friday website!
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♥ HOORAY!
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Hey lady, how did you know? 😉
Haha, I didn’t know, but HE did. I ❤️ it when Holy Spirit orchestrates who needs to visit and read each week. Man, you’ve had such a rough month with all of the hurricane and flooding issues. Did your family and friends suffer a lot of damage?
I’m so sorry for your friend’s loss. How heartbreaking that must be. Payer is the first best thing we can do for someone in the way of support. The burdens feel so heavy these days and as I read here I was reminded of the words to the hymn that say, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear, what a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.’
Hi Joyce. I love that song. Isn’t it amazing how, in times of crisis, it’s the golden oldies that we remember and encourage ourselves with.
Thank you so much for visiting today! I’ll head over to read your post too. ❤️
Hi Shauna
Loved the part about changing the atmosphere through worship and prayer. I certainly needed it. Keep writing please. Love. A.
Oh my friend, you know so much about this stuff. How many hours have we stood side-by-side, alto and soprano, week after week? Still some of my favourite memories with you.
I’m so sorry for your troubles. Sing, my friend. Sing and change the atmosphere!
Much love ❤️
So sorry to hear of the tragedy of your friends’ mother, Shauna. These things just don’t make sense. But comforting one another with the comfort of Jesus is such an important ministry. Thanks for your encouraging words and prayer in this post. God is truly our ultimate source of support and help.
Jeannie (I’m at #47 in this linkup this week)
Thanks, Jeannie! It seems like a common issue around the globe these days. We desperately need God to make a way where there doesn’t seem to be a way, and the church to take her place as His hands and feet, don’t we?
Thanks so much for visiting today! I’ll head over to your site to read yours now.
Have a great week! 🙂
Wow! This is such a great reminder to pray in midst of the ‘real life’ tragedy and crisis that arise. I needed this. Thank you for your faithful writing Shauna! <3 Cheering you on always!
Thanks, my dear Rachel! I needed that encouragement too. ❤️ I appreciate you!