When the Storms of Life Hit Hard

I saw a bird falling from the sky; it swooped down hit the ground. I didn’t know why. And I wondered, why do bad things happen? Why does tragedy strike every living creature?

This short poem above is true, occurring this past week when my heart was already heavy with the loss of a friend who is now in the Father’s arms. It brought me to write the following:

It was always far away, something only heard about, something that would momentarily strike fear in the heart. Bad news could easily be replaced with something else, anything else. You could start making a grocery list and not think about it again. A day could be planned to avoid the unpleasant aspects of life. And then, in the evening, the news on the television would blare into the home. But before the casserole cooled, the channel could be switched to lighter programming, to something more palatable, something that would bring laughter or turn interest in another direction, any direction other than that. 

But then it started happening more frequently, and it was happening just down the street, around the corner, striking closer to home, and fear would settle in the gut. So homes were fortified, gates were barred, windows were shuttered, healthy foods replaced junk snacks, and measures such as exercise, meditation, prayer, and controls to bar the unthinkable were put into place. We turned off the news, read only positive things, watched entertaining shows, and engaged in pleasant activities. Curating lives of only the peaceful and beautiful things began to dictate our choices. Thoughts of “that only happens to others, never here, never in this little kingdom” smoothed out the “what ifs” as night began to fall.

But then, one day, out of the blue, the wind started to pick up, and a storm blew in.  It ripped the roof right off the house and blew the fortress right off its foundation, and the once-distant tragedy plowed into your life. A diagnosis may have been given. A bill came due, a text came through (though not meant for you), a summons was served, an addiction took hold, a loved one went missing, or a knock at the door fell so heavy that it could only be the men dressed in blue.

The nightmare that once vanished when you opened your eyes to sunlight streaming in your window has now taken residence in your home. Trying to isolate yourself and block out tragedy by closing your eyes, covering your ears, and screaming as loud as you can no longer works because now it is yours. And pinching yourself doesn’t bring you back to your near-perfect story anymore because it has been re-written. So what now? How do you even begin to live in this “hell”? How do you find solid ground when there is no safe place to step? How do you find hope when it seems nonexistent? 

None of us are immune to tragedy. It comes in different shapes, sizes, and weights, but it touches each of us in some way, someday.

We all know that life is hard. We understand this truth instinctively or through experience. But why talk about it? Why dwell on what we would rather ignore?  It’s because so many of us are in the fight of our lives.  It can feel overwhelming and lonely. However, this is not a message of despair; it’s one of hope. The scriptures don’t shy away from the hard things of life but rather encourage us in the midst of them.

John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”.

How can this verse give us hope when we live in a world of trouble? It brings hope because it isn’t the end of the story.  The tragedy that has landed squarely on your life is not the end of your story.  Though you may have to go through it, you are not alone.  Jesus, who offers eternal rescue, is in the storm with you now – if you allow Him.  He is the Prince of Peace, A Mighty Fortress, Wonderful Counselor, Redeemer, Provider. He is the God who sees you in the middle of your pain.  Yet, the enemy has come to seek, steal and destroy and to whisper in your ear that God does not care about you. But the truth is that Jesus came to give life and give it abundantly.  I am still trying to understand how life can be abundant yet include tragedy. But it does becomes more apparent as I see the beauty in people who care enough to uncover their eyes and ears to the pain around them.  And how God uses His people to bring about healing and love. He uses the beauty of the sunrise and sunset, golden light streaming through trees, thunderous waves pounding the shores, and cats and dogs to soothe our souls.  He is the Giver of good things to all He has created in this world damaged by sin.

As you make your way through your challenge, your difficulty, or perhaps the fight of your life, stop and breathe and take a moment to see the abundance of love.  I suggest this gently as I know that sometimes just opening your eyes to face another day is enough.

Father, I pray for those in pain that you would highlight your love for them so they won’t miss out on it today. Remind them that you are with them, never leaving, and always in love with them. Silence the lies of the enemy who wants to bring discouragement. Draw them to your true word. May it be a healing balm over their battered hearts.