“The Bible opens with a tragedy and ends in a triumph.” – Billy Graham

“In tragedy and despair, when an endless night seems to have fallen, hope can be found in the realization that the companion of night is not another night – the companion of night is day and that darkness always gives way to light.” – Dean Koontz

This past week, our family experienced the tragic, unexpected death of a young woman in the prime of her life. Lisa was involved in an unexplained, single car accident – leaving behind a loving husband and two young sons. Every aspect of her life was filled with goodness, hope, and the anticipation of what lied ahead. Within moments, all of that changed – leaving those of us behind in a state of shock and bewilderment.

What happened, and more importantly, how could it have been avoided? Why would God allow such a horrific event like this to unfold? How can any good come from such a thing as this?

Some of these questions have complex answers – others can’t be answered at all.  Because easy, quick conclusions about tragedies like this are hard to come by, we all feel a little less secure and a little more vulnerable.  We long for more control over our lives, and when we witness tragic events like this; it exposes our limited humanity and mental capacity to understand them and reveals just how susceptible each of us are to the difficult and unexpected turns life can take.

Tragedies come in all shapes and forms – the unexpected cancer diagnosis, the unforeseen family issues, or betrayal from a life-long friend or loved one that seemed to come out of nowhere.

As Christians, how should we view tragic events like this?  What do we need to remember or cling too in times of unexpected loss or uncertainty?    

Tragedy is Allowed

The point that God allows tragedies to unfold in our life is quite contentious and controversial.  The common questions that arise during times like this are:

“Where was God and what was His role as all of this unfolded?”

“If God is loving and merciful, why does He allow innocent people to die?”

“Why didn’t God stop this evil thing from happening in the first place?”

Many believe that God cannot thwart human choice and our own free will.  They place the blame on individual choice and man’s sinful condition.  Since humans are giving free will and the power to choose, God isn’t able or capable to intervene. They believe the world is full of evil – a place where Satan has total control and rule.

If you study the Scriptures, you find this simply isn’t true.  God is Almighty and Sovereign.  His arm isn’t too short to help (Isaiah 50:2 and Numbers 11:23) and no situation in heaven or on earth is too difficult for Him to handle (Psalm 147:5, Jeremiah 32:27, and Genesis 18:14).  The Scriptures reveal a God who hardens hearts (Exodus 4:21) and softens hearts (Ezra 1:1 and Ezekiel 36:26-27).  It reveals a God who allows suffering to occur (Job 1:12 and Job 2:6, Lamentations 3:38, and Isaiah 45:7) and a God who can instantly deliver us from any evil (Isaiah 40:25-31, Psalm 3:8, Psalm 9: 9-10, Psalm 18:2, and Psalm 46:1-3).

So believing that God has limited or no power at all here on earth is incorrect.  To think that God can’t manipulate circumstances or move the hearts and minds of the men and women He created isn’t accurate. The hard reality we must face is that God allows the evil to transpire.  If God’s ultimate will was to stop the tragedy or to intervene, He most certainly has the power and authority to do so.

When we can’t make sense of the ways of God – when our own human minds can’t fathom why He allows such horror to take place, we instantly write Him off as uncaring and unworthy of our praise. 

Again, I believe this arises from human pride and ego, and to some extent, an attempt to reassure us that we indeed have control of our lives in every regard.  WE must be able to comprehend and reason it out in our own minds, and if we can’t, then God can’t possibly exist or be as powerful as we thought and certainly isn’t worthy of OUR praise and adoration.  Isn’t it a strange coincidence that a mindset like this is exactly in line with Satan’s desires for mankind – to question God’s power and existence?

If God is omnipotent and omniscient – all-powerful and all-knowing – the Ruler of the universe, then He certainly allows the tragedies that unfold in our life.  But in this same line of thinking, we must remember God’s character and actions are driven by His love for us, thus; the current tragedy we face must have a deeper meaning and outcome – one that fulfills God’s ultimate plans and purposes for everyone involved – a purpose centered in love and faithfulness toward all His creation.

The situation may reek of evil, death, and destruction, but we must trust God and His reasons for allowing it – reasons that will certainly make no sense to us in our human logic or mortal condition.  When sudden tragedies unfold in our life and we lose all sense of control and certainty, we must remember that God is still on the throne and in control of all that transpires.

Tragedy is Temporary

There is a great sense of finality and loss associated with an abrupt death like this.  How can life ever be the same again for those who survive?

We focus on the injustice surrounding a young woman who will never get to experience the fullness of all life has to offer. We mourn with a husband who has forever lost the love of his life in such a senseless, sudden accident.

Again, we are allowing our human minds to define life as simply what we experience here on earth.  We are acknowledging the lies of Satan that say, “This life is all there is!  Once you’re dead, you’re dead forever!”   We become entrenched in thinking the cancer diagnosis is life-ending, the sudden death of a loved one means an end to their existence, or we hold tight to our feelings of emptiness and loss – believing the rest of our life will forever be changed or affected by the depth of injustice a tragedy like this entails.

But we must remember the truth about our life:  We are born and we live forever.  We are spirit first and foremost – created in the image of our Heavenly Father.  Our lives don’t end here.  There is far more to the story that has yet to unfold!

The tragedies we experience here are temporary and short-lived…especially when compared to the infinity of an eternal spirit. 

“Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.  You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you.  Each man’s life is but a breath.” – Psalm 39:4-5 NIV

“What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” – James 4:14 NIV

“For my days vanish like smoke …” – Psalm 102:3

This young woman will soon see her sons again.  She will be able to hug her husband again someday! Our lives are so short in comparison to eternity, thus; our suffering here is only temporary and our losses only short-lived.

The same thing must be said about the injustice we experience in tragedy.  The story hasn’t ended with an unexpected, undeserving death.  The injustice is only temporary.  God is a God of justice and over the course of eternity; justice will get the final say!

Tragedy has been Defeated

“Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – Jesus speaking in John 16:33 NLT

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelations 21:3-4 NIV

The most difficult thing to do when tragedy strikes is to see it as God sees it – understanding it has already been beaten and defeated.  Because of the intense pain and suffering brought on by tragedy, our focus often becomes skewed and confused.  We look hard at the present moment – embracing the pain and feelings of despair we’re experiencing.

But again, we must remember this:  When it seems like tragedy has won, when it has caused enormous devastation, death, and destruction, when feelings of finality and defeat have settled in, remember that it’s only half time in the game of life and we already know how the score at the end of the game turns out!

Tragedy never has the final say!  In the end, Christ has defeated it forever!  Nothing here on earth or nothing yet to come will change that fact.  Justice will reign supreme throughout eternity my friends!

When tragedy strikes your own life (and it will as Christ mentions in the Scripture verse above), I pray that you realize a loving God has allowed it for reasons beyond our understanding.  You may feel things spinning out of control, but hold tight to the fact that God is always in control.

Remember that any tragic event is only temporary in the light of eternity…like our lives – merely a mist or breath in duration.  Each of us lives far beyond this world in spirit. We are never defeated by horrific situations or circumstances – even those that bring an end to our physical, earthly life.

Most importantly, remember that tragedies and the evil behind them have already been defeated.  Christ has overcome them long ago. Justice for all of mankind is inevitable!

Let’s pray for Lisa’s family and all those left behind that are affected by her unexpected death – asking God to reveal these truths about the tragedy they currently face.  May these truths give them peace and comfort in this time of pain and suffering.