When Tragedy Strikes

My eyes have been leaking a lot lately. I found it hard to clearly focus on a news item that showed a San Diego man at a press conference, reacting to the tragic deaths of his wife, his two young daughters and his mother-in-law. A fighter jet had landed on his house, and, in an instant, swept them into eternity.

As he leaned for support on his pastor’s arms, he said that he didn’t have any animosity towards the pilot of the downed plane, calling him a "hero." Then he said, "I know there are many people who have experienced more terrible things. Please tell me how to do it, because I don’t know what to do."

It seems that everything this man leaned on for security--his beloved family and even his home, were taken from him. He told reporters: "Nobody expected such a horrible thing to happen, especially right here, right [in] our house. I know God is taking care of my [family]."

In times of such despair, there is great consolation in Christianity. God promises to work this tragic incident out for his good: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).