The Christian's Response to Tragedy
We are experiencing unprecedented challenges in our world. The world faces an enemy that has all but reached and affected every country and every population group across the globe, and all within days. The impact of this enemy has affected almost every facet of our lives.
The world is not new to hardships. History shows us that death, pain, and struggles are part of life on earth. This world is not the paradise God intended for us at Creation. Because of sin, we live in a fallen world, and therefore trials and tribulations are part of it.
For us as Christians, the obvious question we should be asking is, what is God doing, and what does He want from this situation?
When tragedy strikes, it's natural to question "why?" We all wish those bad things wouldn't happen, and when they do, we feel vulnerable, scared, and perhaps angry. We want to understand why this happened and maybe have someone to blame. In times of tragedy, we must remember that God is good. He is the author of life, not the taker of life. He is always present, and he is fully aware of what's going on. God has a plan and purpose for every situation, including this pandemic.
As we look into God's word, three things are consistent about God whenever trials and tribulations occur; three things that God wants.
1. To make us more like Christ.
We are destined to be image-bearers. When someone looks at you, they are supposed to see God. Everything about you should show people the love of God so that they would be drawn to him. When the world sees no difference in God's people compared to the rest of the world, we've lost our image-bearing capability. Difficult situations provide God's people with the unique opportunity to reveal God to a hurting world; to provide them with the only hope that will last.
What image are you portraying in this season? Are you fearful or hopeful? Worried or confident? Joyful or angry? The world is looking at you. Let them see the character and the attributes of Jesus.
2. To increase our faith in Him and decrease our faith in ourselves and this world.
God tests the heart to see if it's genuinely devoted to him. Deuteronomy 8:2 confirms this. "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." The test was not for God to know what was in their hearts; he already knew. The test was so that the Israelites would know themselves, what was in their hearts.
Coronavirus, similar to any stressful situation we face, is a test. The test is, "Do we trust God, or have we just been saying we trust Him?" Our response as Christians during this challenging season clearly shows what we've put our faith in, God or the world.
This world is not our home. Our comfort and the accumulation of stuff is not why we're here. We know that God has promised to provide for us. Matthew 6:25-34 reminds us that we are not to worry about what we need. Instead, we are to look to God first whenever we face trials, and he will provide what we need.
The world needs to see that God is faithful and generous. The way God best reveals his generosity is through his people. When Christians under challenging times respond differently than the world, not fearful or worried, but hopeful and confident in God's ability to provide, the world will take notice and put their trust in God.
3. Make the world take notice of God's love and grace.
The only hope this world has is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's the good news that He came, lived, died, and was raised to life again so that everyone could have eternal life. He has paid the price for every sin, every disease (and virus), and every wrong so that we can be completely free.
How will people know of this good news unless someone tells them? People are most open to the message of the gospel when things don't work out as they hoped and planned. It is when their world, which they built, is crumbling. This pandemic and all the damage it's causing is an opportunity for God's people to share God's love and grace to someone who's hurting.
I've seen a lot of good done lately. Neighbors helping neighbors, communities are rallying around a need, even our government leaders doing whatever they can to help the American people. What I wish to see more of is the gospel shared; the good news that God has sacrificed his most precious son, Jesus, to invite us into a relationship with him.
The world needs many things in this challenging season, and we should do everything we can to give and make that happen. But let's not forget that this world will pass away. What will last is people, souls. Let's do everything we can to point them to the only One who can provide them what they really need.
How will your response to the Coronavirus point people to Jesus?
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