Article July 2, 2001 Issue

Real life is never lost

What you can do about catastrophes

By Nate Talbot

Shocking news has always had a way of spreading, even before the printing press was invented. But mass communication brings the most graphic details right into our homes, and it's hard not to feel like one of the families involved in a fire, plane crash, or terrorist attack. Or like a fellow student in the latest school shooting.

So many people are trying so hard to understand. Where is God? Are victims somehow less worthy in God's eyes? When a falling tower killed 18 people long ago, Jesus said this absolutely was not God's will (see Luke 13:1–5). Jesus taught, and his whole life illustrated, that God's purpose for His children includes being blessed and saved, redeemed and healed.

So how do we deal with tragedies that flare up so persistently? It is natural, especially if a disaster has struck close to home, for friends to comfort us with reassuring words. The passage of time may make some difference. But there is much more that can be done.

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