In Times of Crisis

by S. D. Abbott

With the recent terrorist attack, there will be many who will look to the heavens and ask why. Some will cry out in great anger and bitterness, “How could God let this happen?” and “Why didn’t He stop it?” Some will have their faith shattered. And some will use this experience, tragic as it is, to change their lives for the better, thereby strengthening their faith in God and renewing their hope. It is the latter I wish to discuss.

Let me tell you up front that God has never and will never “cause” us to suffer. But He does “allow” things to happen. I realize this sounds horribly unjust, but God in his mercy, gave all His children the right to choose. This means He loves us enough to never force His will upon us. So just as the sun shines on both the just and unjust, so is given to all the gift of choice. It is when the wicked abuse this gift that there is trouble. The persons responsible for the attack made their own choices, and as always when man makes bad or wicked decisions, the innocent suffer. And as always, the anguish of the victims will be felt for generations to come.

So why didn’t God stop this horrendous act? If He is so powerful, why didn’t He use His mightiness to prevent such a tragedy?

Because even though our Heavenly Father could have stopped it all with a mere wave of his hand, He did not. He allowed some of his precious children to be killed so that the rest of His children may remember Him. You see, it is human nature to turn to God in times of trouble (Hosea 5:15; II Chronicles 20:9). In His wisdom, God visits us with affliction in the hope more of his children will return to Him. When a trial befalls us, it is both a call to the righteous to arise and be strong, and a voice of warning to the wicked to repent. Jesus Christ taught that affliction and persecutions arise for the word’s sake (Mark 4:7) and he predicted more tribulation to come in the last days (John 16:33, Mark 13:19).

It is sad that we mortals need something bad to happen to make us stand up and take notice. And so it is that many of us become followers of the Lord having received the word in much affliction (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

“…He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9).

Believe it or not, whatever we (individually or as a nation) suffer is not in vain. I like the saying that if it doesn’t break you, it will darn well make you stronger. How true this is for those of us who have had our share of tragedies. We who have overcome are living proof of the strength that can be gained through times of great struggle. A diamond’s beauty is not discovered until it has gone through the refiners fire. So it is with God’s children, we cannot esteem to be His “jewels” until we have gone through our own refining process.

Have you ever watched a friend or relative go through a horrific time only to emerge with a smile, a greater love for life, and a peace about them that astounds you? These are they who have placed their lives and their burdens in the Lord’s hands. They have stared adversity in the face and refused to let it beat them. These are they who stand at death’s door and are not afraid. They are a shining example of Paul’s words in II Corinthians 4:6-9:

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”

Even if we do not believe in God or are not sure there is a God, I can personally promise He is there and He loves each of us individually. I have felt Him in my own life and He is real. He hears the cries of those that mourn and knows the fears in our hearts. He knows our grief and despair. And even though we cannot see Him, He stands beside us to brace us up and comfort us if we but let Him (Matthew 11:28-30; Isaiah 46:4).

In return, he asks us to trust Him (Proverbs 3:16), to have patience in our afflictions (1 Peter 2:20-21; Romans 5:3-5 and 12:12), to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). We who follow Christ have the opportunity today, right now, to be a living testimony of His work for those who have a lesser understanding of our Lord and Savior’s Gospel. We can teach them by being doers of the word and not just hearers (James 1:22). We can be strong for those who cannot. We can uplift and comfort. We can give peace by offering our own.

In closing, we must remember that even though it is in our nature to demand immediate justice, we must rely on the Lord’ promise that justice will be served in His own time. The Lord’s time is not our time…but it is the best time. Here is the test of our faith (Luke 18:7-8). Can we be patient enough to wait for the Lord’s revenge that will be swifter and far more dreadful than our own? (Revelations 21:4, 7-8; Ecclesiastes 5:8, 27-28; II Peter 3:9-10).

Let us follow in our Redeemer’s footsteps. Let us look forward with faith and hope. And when the fires are out, and the dead are buried, and the terror of this day is a distant memory, let us remember to continue to seek the Lord that we may show our gratitude and love for Him who created us.