Article October 8, 2012 Issue

Beyond remorse to healing

Roger Gordon

What do you do  when you are confronted with sudden and inexplicable tragedy? What if you’re convinced the tragedy is your fault? How do you cope with surprising and unwanted feelings of sorrow, guilt, and regret?

• “If only I had done X, Y, or Z, this awful, evil event could have been prevented.” 
• “If only I had prayed harder, I could have saved … .” 
• “And just where was God anyway? Why didn’t God intervene to stop such horror?”  

The dark mental din can gradually drown out all other thoughts. Peace and joy feel like long-forgotten memories; clouds are preferable to sunshine; and a smile feels foreign to your face.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

'Love is the answer'