the TRAGEDY that SAVED us for ETERNITY

This world cannot promise us triumph, but it certainly promises us tragedy. And because of that, when tragedy strikes, it becomes man’s number one reason to blame God, question God, and sadly turn from God. Tragedy is calamity or unforeseen disaster, and that which shocks the emotional system of those involved directly, while even touching the surface of many indirectly. Tragedy is so misunderstood, and once again, it’s because we fail to see how God uses it for good. Tragedy is not the result of a world that God has lost control of, nor is it the outcome of an angry God punishing us based on His own prerogative. Tragedy is the only reason believers and non-believers alike talk about Job in the Bible. Everyone knows that biblical account and everyone knows the outcome, so how come we fail to see that it was the tragedies in his life that had God glorified and the devil horrified? It was the tragedy that had no explanation—except the devil was on the prowl—but it was allowed because God knew it would bring His glory out.  Because although God did not author it, He authorized it. Tragedy is, truthfully, controlled calamity that is allowed to touch our worlds in order for us to touch God’s world. A temporary disruption in order for us to see an eternal conclusion. But so many miss it. So many blame God or turn from Him in the process; asking the most devastating question in life--“Why?”--where the answer cannot be heard over our grief. Thus tragedy does not make us or break us, it only reveals us.I know what I am saying may be hard to swallow, but I didn't draw this conclusion from a hypothesis, but from actually going through this. And not only from tragedy, but from one who was responsible for tragedy that directly and indirectly affected so many lives. I can go on and on about God’s grace and goodness, but sometimes the tragedies we face are too much for us to see God’s love even though it’s undoubtedly there.  So in response to what I have come to learn through tragedy and how my “why” questions that were once uttered, have undeniably been answered. I say,  tragedy that is faced and questioned, is tragedy that God has already faced and answered.  And instead of putting a “?” to our circumstances, perhaps we should start ending those questions with a different mark. The mark of the cross (+).  The ultimate answer.  A “tragedy” that saved us for eternity.You see, the cross is God’s answer to a deaf world with questions. The cross is proof that He loves us more than we can ever comprehend. And since the Father gave us His only begotten Son--God in the flesh--I'm pretty sure we can trust that His plan for our lives is always best.