Where is God When tragedy Strikes?

Tragic events, such as the recent crash of an airliner in Spain, prompt any God-believing person to ask "Where is God in this?" At first glance it may seem like God wasn't there at all, or that God was powerless to prevent the accident, or that God caused it for some reason only God knows. I don't believe any of these conclusions is true.

Tragedies are like clouds or fog obscuring a landscape. The cloud never alters the landscape and has no power to alter it. We can be confident that the landscape remains complete and whole. We'll see the complete landscape when wind and sun eventually remove the clouds. When the clouds of tragedy obscure the landscape of God's kingdom we can use the sun and wind of prayer, gratitude, and spiritual discernment to aid in dispelling these clouds.

If we look closer at this tragic situation we see the brave rescue crews rushing to save survivors, compassionate friends, neighbors, and even strangers reaching out to comfort and support the relatives of victims, caring medical personnel using their greatest skill and knowledge to aid the injured, and concerned aviation experts and government officials searching for clues that will help improve airline safety and prevent repeat events. These benevolent actions are signs of God's presence and activity. Our grateful acknowledgement of each of these signs will help everyone to see and experience more of God's presence.

For the survivors and relatives of victims, there can and will be healing. Our affirmation that the healing Christ is already present and embracing these dear people is needed and helpful. Jesus's declaration that "...all things are possible to him that believeth" shows that all of us, regardless of our apparent physical ability to respond to tragic events, have a spiritual responsibility to respond with our prayers. This prayerful response is itself God inspired and directed.

What of those that died in this tragic event? Are they beyond the reach of God? Is there any hope or help for them? Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection give us the answer. Even when Jesus had died to physical sense he was not beyond the reach of God. Even if it is beyond our understanding and capability to demonstrate this fact today, we can gratefully acknowledge the truth of God's care that Jesus revealed to us and affirm that this care applies to all those that have passed from this human experience.

Where is God when tragedy strikes? God is never absent or powerless or inactive! As more individuals understand and affirm these truths the effects of tragedies will be healed and future tragedies prevented. Jesus said: "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Our affirmative knowing of spiritual truth helps to free everyone from the clouds of tragedy.