tears-womanThe events of Columbine, Virginia Tech and many other tragic examples highlight times in people’s lives when they deal with tragedy. In the two cases mentioned, it is sons and daughters cut down even before they reached the prime of life. It is pain that is visceral, gut wrenching, surreal almost, where one desperately attempts to wake up from a nightmare that hurts and hurts.

So where was the Lord in this? Where He always is—an ever present help in times of trouble. The devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy—things have not changed since his rebellion. What does an affected family do in this case? Well, definitely not run away from the Lord as many do, but run even faster to Him, to seek His encouragement and comfort. To thank Him that even in darkness, light dawns for the upright and that your saved loved one is walking with Jesus on the streets of gold.

God is a restorer of ruins and will restore hope, faith, and peace that the enemy of our souls would steal. Finally, for those believers on the outside looking in to tragedy, forget wise words and pontifications. Don’t be like Job’s comforters.  Sit with the one in pain and be quiet.  Spend time on your knees on their behalf.  And then let us redouble our time and intensity in intercession, to stop many more of the enemy’s schemes and plans dead in their tracks.