Upended by Tragedy!

Tragedy arouses feelings of desperation and bewilderment, as the anchors that have kept us safe appear to be swept away. William Burroughs in his book, The Western Lands, noted that “abrupt change can dislodge the belief our world is safe while questioning the legitimacy of our entire belief system.”

When Jacob had to face the death of Joseph, his favorite son, his grief was so intense he felt he would die. He was totally unprepared for this tragedy. When tragedy personally strikes us, enormous energy is absorbed to help us cope because our survival appears to be in jeopardy.

Tragedy often demands changes we’re not ready to make. The writer of Psalm 119 reveals his feelings of desperation and the need for comfort. "I am completely discouraged and lie in dust. Revive and encourage me with your word, O Lord, for my heart is heavy with sorrow. I will cling to your commands and follow them closely." God's word will give you comfort and hope when you face tragedy. 

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Let us praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercy and the God of every comfort. He comforts us in all our suffering to make us able to comfort others in all their suffering with the same comfort with which God comforts us.

~2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

When Life Unravels Overnight...

When tragedy invades our lives, our initial response may be disbelief. Our whole being may experience an unraveling of the thread that holds our life together. Feelings of fear can crush feelings of hope for the future.   

          When hate prompted Joseph's brothers to sell him as a slave, his world changed overnight. He had never been away from the safety and predictability of his home. Now feelings of fear and abandonment saturated his life.

          Grief was designed by God to help us cope with tragedy and great loss. Each stage of grief helps us cope until we can face the ultimate significance of change and sorrow. Complete healing may seem out of sight. Even so, you can ask God for help found in Psalm 119. "Bless me with life, O God, so that I can continue to obey you. Speak to my heart that I will know you are present with me at this moment. I am but a pilgrim here on earth and I need you to guide my life." Let this be your prayer right now.  

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The thought of my pain, my homelessness is bitter poison. I think of it constantly and my spirit is depressed. Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing. The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue. Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.

~LAMENTATIONS 3:19-24 Good News Bible

Signs of Trouble – Heads Up!

Some people appear to live a trouble-free existence, but let me assure you that no one is that fortunate. However, some individuals learn to manage trouble instead of allowing problems to control them. Proverbs 11:6 informs us that a "righteous man is rescued from trouble" because a righteous person has the option of responding differently. 

People who have Jesus have integrity that guides them when troubles appear. Cruel people ask for trouble because integrity and godliness are not a guiding force in their lives. A righteous person is rescued from trouble when God is present to prevent their ruination. 

When the pressures of trouble are coming on hard and fast, God’s word from Psalm 119 will prevent you from collapsing and giving up. “I'm single-minded in pursuit of you, O Lord. Please train me in the ways of wise living so I will not miss the road signs you post for me. I trust the promises you’ve placed in my heart, so I won't sin against you.” Jesus is your very present help in times of trouble.  

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Do not be afraid – I am with you! I am your God – let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

~ISAIAH 41:10 Good News Bible

Stay the Course with Steady Steps

Troubles can be aggravating and discouraging. There are times when it seems the only solution is to run away. Everyone has done that, if only by pretending trouble does not exist even when it faces them head on. Focusing on trouble with an unhealthy attitude can create unexpected problems. 

 

          Getting rid of Joseph by selling him as a slave appeared to be the best solution for his brothers. They would be free of the recipient of their hatred, yet not be free from the lies they had to tell their father. They set a trap for themselves because Proverbs 11:17 warns that whoever pursues evil finds death.

          God has a better technique for managing troubles of any magnitude. Listen to Psalm 119: "Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping the course you set for me; then I'll never regret comparing my life with your guidance. I thank you for speaking from your heart to mine because I desire to learn your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me, O Lord."  Will you do that?

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Since we have such a huge crowd of people of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up, and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.

~HEBREWS 12:1 The Living Bible

Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.

~PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 Good News Bible

Managing the Falling Rain

Managing trouble is a life-long task. The rain falls on the just and unjust, the righteous and evil people. However, it’s possible to invite troubles by the lifestyle you choose to live. Trouble does not mean God has withdrawn his blessings or protection from you, but when trouble comes, he will help you manage and conquer it.  

          When Joseph flaunted his favorite-child status before his brothers, he encouraged their hatred. By harboring hatred, Joseph's brothers acted out in ways they would come to regret. Consumed by hatred, they lost their objectivity, so the ability to ask God for tolerance and insight was out of the question. 

Listen to Psalm 119 from The Message. These words will help you manage trouble. "You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right – you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; and now you expect us to live it," and we are thankful. Are you?

               

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For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

~MATTHEW 5:45b The Living Bible

But I will sing about your strength every morning. I will sing aloud of your constant love. You have been a refuge for me, a shelter in my time of trouble.

~PSALM 59:16 Good News Bible

Followed by Troubles

Trouble can be unpredictable. So, it was with Joseph as he went looking for his brothers who were tending the family’s livestock. These jealous, angry brothers stripped Joseph of the coat their father had given him that made him look and feel like a prince. These hateful, angry brothers threw Joseph into a pit to wait for an opportune time to kill him.

Judah, the older brother, convinced the others to consider another option. A caravan going to Egypt was coming their way, so they sold Joseph for twenty shekels of silver, between $200 to $600. Troubles and opportunity would follow Joseph as he left his childhood and family behind.

In days of trouble and change, Psalm 46 is reassuring. "God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, I will not fear though the earth be removed, and the mountains fall into the midst of the sea.” No matter how desperate you feel, God is greater than your troubles and will be an ever-present help to you.  

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God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble.

~NAHUM 1:7 The Message 

Hatred: Favoritism's Fallout

It all started as a normal day.  A young brother was sent to check on his older brothers so their father could be assured everything was okay. The older brothers were envious of Joseph for he was their father’s favorite. To make matters worse, their father Jacob had given Joseph an expensive coat that clearly set him apart from his older brothers.   

 

It never occurred to Joseph as he left home that morning that this would be the last time he would see his home. When his brothers saw Joseph coming, the extent of their hatred and bitterness is recorded in Genesis 37:19. "Here comes that dreamer. Let’s kill him and say some ferocious animal devoured him. Then what will become of his dreams."

Thank God one of the brothers was mature enough to interject some sensibility into the situation. No matter how justifiable your anger and hatred may seem, God will give you an alternate way to respond to save you from the disaster hatred creates. Your responsibility is to listen and act according to the message and help that God sends to you.  

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When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him – they wouldn’t even speak to him.

~GENESIS 37:4 The Message

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, practice loving your enemies and praying for your persecutors, to prove that you are children of your Father in heaven…”

~MATTHEW 5:43-45a Williams