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Faith Matters: God can help you when trying to make sense of disaster

If you are like me, you are still trying to come to terms with the disaster that took place in Japan a few weeks ago. I remember the first scenes of the disaster I saw, buildings swaying and people running to safety.

If you are like me, you are still trying to come to terms with the disaster that took place in Japan a few weeks ago.

I remember the first scenes of the disaster I saw, buildings swaying and people running to safety. Then it was the video clips of the tsunami making its way ashore with immense power as it washed dozens of cars out of its path.... throwing ships of various sizes ashore or crumbling them under a bridge.... the houses that crumpled, moving them aside as if they were nothing.

It all seemed so overwhelming and we were left asking, “How could such a disaster ever happen?”

We immediately think, “This isn’t fair. It’s not fair that these people have to suffer...it’s not fair that they have lost loved ones.... it’s not fair that their whole lives have been turned upside down.”

In the midst of all that has happened, there is some hope to be found. First of all, Jesus reminds us that bravery is still an option and we do not have to give into our fears. When He talked about such things taking place, He ended His comments by saying, “See to it that you are not alarmed.”

In other words, don’t let disaster freak you out. Sometimes these things do because we have left God out of what is going on in our lives. And so, it is important to remember that despite how things look at times, God is still in control.

Now, we may ask, “Then why do things look like they are so out of control?” Maybe part of the answer is found in the fact that disasters, such as the one in Japan, reminds us of how helpless we are, and how much we really need God to get through the tough times.

Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”

We could add, don’t let earthquakes and tsumani cause you to freak out. God has provided Himself to us as an anchor. When all else gives way, God is always there to hear when we feel overwhelmed.

Psalm 27:3 says, “Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise against me, yet I will be confident.”

Why confidence? Because even when things seem out of control, there is one greater than us who is always in control.

When it comes to earthquakes, tsumani or any other disaster, God says that such things “must” happen. We respond, “Must happen? What possible good would there be in such disasters?”

One thing that we can be reminded of is that all events, even the most violent, are under a divine plan. Every trial and trouble has a place in God’s scheme. Now, does that mean God likes to see such things take place? No. He feels hurt over what has taken place in Japan, He feels the pain these people are going through. But what God wants us to know is that even when things seem to be out of control, they are not.

Sometimes we make the mistake of bringing God down to our level and we make conclusions about Him as if He is human, with human flaws, just like us. The reality is that God is so much more than we can ever comprehend. His ways are beyond ours. And yet, with certainty, we can count on the fact that God loves us. He wants to bring healing to our lives. Most of all, He wants us to trust Him.

I don’t claim to understand why God would allow this to happen. But when I cannot understand, I can choose to trust God with what I don’t understand and in the end I can trust Him to do what’s best I can leave it in His hands. And that is where you can leave it too.

This column was provided by Tri-Community Baptist Church in Beiseker.

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