Trusting God, Regardless
Trusting God in Times of Tragedy: Finding Hope in the Storm
After disasters like Hurricane Helene, it’s easy to look around and wonder, “Where was God?” It’s the question that hangs in the air after every tragedy—when we see homes destroyed, lives uprooted, and communities left in ruins. For some, the easiest answer is to say, “God is punishing us,” or, “This is His judgment.” But can we be so sure?
The truth is, life has a way of knocking us down. We all face loss, pain, and suffering. No matter how strong we are, sometimes it’s hard to get back up. After disasters or personal struggles, we wonder: why does God allow this? I’ve asked myself that question more times than I can count.
A Broken World
The Bible tells us that when humanity fell into sin, creation itself was broken. The world is not as it was meant to be. That’s why we see storms, earthquakes, and suffering. Could God prevent them? Yes, He could. But often, He doesn’t. That’s the uncomfortable truth. And it’s one we must wrestle with in our faith.
I’ve been through my own storms. I’ve lost children through miscarriage and had a son who died shortly after birth. My husband almost died, and I’ve faced financial struggles and health issues. So, when I say I know pain, I truly do. We all do, in different ways.
But through all of this, I’ve learned something important: life isn’t in our control. We can plan, prepare, and protect ourselves as much as we want, but we can’t outrun the uncertainty of life. Tragedy often serves as a powerful reminder of our human fragility.
Is God Judging Us?
When we see natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, many wonder if it’s God’s judgment on a sinful world. The Bible gives us examples of times when God used natural disasters to judge—like the plagues in Egypt or the flood in Noah’s time. But can we say with certainty that every disaster today is God’s judgment? No. We must be careful in making assumptions about what God is doing.
However, one thing is clear: God uses these moments to get our attention. Tragedy has a way of shaking us out of our complacency. It reminds us that life is fragile and that we need to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and others.
Where Is God in the Pain?
In moments of deep loss and devastation, it’s natural to wonder where God is. The truth is, He’s right there, in the middle of it. Jesus entered our broken world, suffered alongside us, and gave His life on the cross to redeem us. When we’re overwhelmed by the pain, we can look to the cross and remember that God knows suffering. He understands our pain and promises to walk with us through it.
Job, a man from the Bible, knew suffering firsthand. He lost everything—his children, wealth, and health. Yet, he said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” That takes faith. Faith that trusts in God’s goodness even when everything falls apart. Job didn’t curse God—he trusted Him in the middle of his pain.
Finding Purpose in the Aftermath
Sometimes, the beauty in tragedy is what comes after. In the midst of suffering, God stirs people’s hearts. After Hurricane Helene, I saw firsthand how communities came together, showing kindness and love in ways they hadn’t before. Tragedy reminds us that life isn’t about material things but about relationships, love, and faith.
There’s a story from China in 1989. Thousands of young people were executed for peacefully protesting. Their families were devastated. But out of that tragedy, the underground church in China grew to over 100 million believers. God moved in the aftermath of immense pain.
The Eternal Perspective
As Christians, we have a hope that goes beyond this life. Yes, tragedy is painful, and loss hurts. But this life is temporary—eternity is long. We often focus so much on the here and now that we forget this world is not our home. Death isn’t the end; it’s a doorway to eternity with God. And that’s where our hope lies.
We may not understand why disasters happen, but we can trust that God is good, even in the chaos. He is with us in our pain. Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
When tragedy strikes, we’re reminded of our need for God. He is with us in the storm, and He invites us to trust Him, even when life doesn’t make sense. Trust that He’s working, even in the mess, and know that He will one day wipe away every tear.
