I don't know about you, but when I hear about tragedies (whether international or local) I find myself going through an emotional mental process. Typically, when I first hear of tragedy, it doesn't phase me. This sounds terrible I know, but I have seen so many tragedies pop up on my T.V., even just in the past five years, that at first I feel nothing. Given time and thought, tragedies get to me emotionally. If you know me well, you know I'm a pretty emotional person as is (doesn't take much to make tears come to my eyes). Every time catastrophe strikes and I start to feel the weight of emotions tied to such events, my mind is always reminded of Romans 12:15
I live in Charleston, SC and if you are a younger aged person from Charleston you most likely have seen your fair share of tragedies. Many young lives have been lost in crazy accidents in the past few years. Unfortunately, most teenagers in the Charleston area have had to attend a funeral for someone they knew their own age. Not to mention, our entire city was shaken with the loss of the precious nine lives at Mother Emanuel AME on June 25, 2015. So many of these moments of loss and tragedy are forever held in my mind.
My mind also holds memories of national and international tragedy where my heart went through grieving with those who were grieving. The one that was the hardest for me to deal with was the Orlando shooting that happened less than a year ago. I remember the day after so clearly. I was headed on a road trip with all of my closest friends for the summer, yet all I could think about was those who had died and their families dealing with their loss. That night I could not sleep because I couldn't stop weeping over those who lost their lives. I couldn't shake the terrible weight that many of those who died did not go to eternity with the Lord.
These moments all came to me once more as I read tweets and articles concerning the bombing after the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. I'm a lover of music and attending concerts. Reading about young children losing their lives and teenagers being separated from their parents broke my heart once more.
I do not reflect on all of these things to bring a spirit of sadness on. Through all of these different moments, I can not let go of Romans 12:15. As a daughter of the one true King, I am called to mourn with those who mourn. How often do we actually follow this? I don't know about you, but I think it is so crucial to chase after these words, following them to the fullest. What better way to be a light to those in not only spiritual darkness, but emotional darkness as they mourn? The perfect opportunity is presented when you can come down to their level and relate to them where they are. That right there is a perfect representation of the love of Jesus. He came down to us in our imperfection and suffering, and suffered alongside us so that He may understand what we're going through. He came down and suffered the worst form of death possible, so that our constant reality of mourning could turn into a constant reality of rejoicing. Mourning with those who mourn is 100% following in Jesus' examples for us as His followers.
When I also reflect on past and current tragedies a challenge comes to my mind. Whenever a tragedy occurs that grabs the nation's or world's attention you immediately see a flood of posts on social media. These posts are typically lingered with a hashtag always in the form of "#prayfor______" (fill in the blank for wherever this tragedy has occurred). I have a challenge for anyone reading this. Instead of sharing a post or writing a hashtag once more and leaving it at that, why don't we actually fall on our knees in prayer over the situation? Why don't we come to the cross, in full surrender, asking the Lord to let heaven come, that He would pour His spirit out in this place of tragedy? He has the utmost power and His Spirit provides far greater comfort than a post you could make on social media.
Tragedy and mourning is something very heavy. It doesn't typically stir one's heart towards joy; but, there is hope. There is a day coming when tragedy will no longer strike. Tears will no longer fall. Revelation 21:4 says, "He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good - tears gone, crying gone, pain gone - all the first order of things gone" (MSG). As believers, we are called to look forward to this day with great anticipation. No one knows the arrival of this glorious day (1 Thessalonians 5:2), but comfort can still be found in the present. Matthew 5:4 says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted". The Lord provides for those in need. "In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
I live in Charleston, SC and if you are a younger aged person from Charleston you most likely have seen your fair share of tragedies. Many young lives have been lost in crazy accidents in the past few years. Unfortunately, most teenagers in the Charleston area have had to attend a funeral for someone they knew their own age. Not to mention, our entire city was shaken with the loss of the precious nine lives at Mother Emanuel AME on June 25, 2015. So many of these moments of loss and tragedy are forever held in my mind.
My mind also holds memories of national and international tragedy where my heart went through grieving with those who were grieving. The one that was the hardest for me to deal with was the Orlando shooting that happened less than a year ago. I remember the day after so clearly. I was headed on a road trip with all of my closest friends for the summer, yet all I could think about was those who had died and their families dealing with their loss. That night I could not sleep because I couldn't stop weeping over those who lost their lives. I couldn't shake the terrible weight that many of those who died did not go to eternity with the Lord.
These moments all came to me once more as I read tweets and articles concerning the bombing after the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. I'm a lover of music and attending concerts. Reading about young children losing their lives and teenagers being separated from their parents broke my heart once more.
I do not reflect on all of these things to bring a spirit of sadness on. Through all of these different moments, I can not let go of Romans 12:15. As a daughter of the one true King, I am called to mourn with those who mourn. How often do we actually follow this? I don't know about you, but I think it is so crucial to chase after these words, following them to the fullest. What better way to be a light to those in not only spiritual darkness, but emotional darkness as they mourn? The perfect opportunity is presented when you can come down to their level and relate to them where they are. That right there is a perfect representation of the love of Jesus. He came down to us in our imperfection and suffering, and suffered alongside us so that He may understand what we're going through. He came down and suffered the worst form of death possible, so that our constant reality of mourning could turn into a constant reality of rejoicing. Mourning with those who mourn is 100% following in Jesus' examples for us as His followers.
When I also reflect on past and current tragedies a challenge comes to my mind. Whenever a tragedy occurs that grabs the nation's or world's attention you immediately see a flood of posts on social media. These posts are typically lingered with a hashtag always in the form of "#prayfor______" (fill in the blank for wherever this tragedy has occurred). I have a challenge for anyone reading this. Instead of sharing a post or writing a hashtag once more and leaving it at that, why don't we actually fall on our knees in prayer over the situation? Why don't we come to the cross, in full surrender, asking the Lord to let heaven come, that He would pour His spirit out in this place of tragedy? He has the utmost power and His Spirit provides far greater comfort than a post you could make on social media.
Tragedy and mourning is something very heavy. It doesn't typically stir one's heart towards joy; but, there is hope. There is a day coming when tragedy will no longer strike. Tears will no longer fall. Revelation 21:4 says, "He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good - tears gone, crying gone, pain gone - all the first order of things gone" (MSG). As believers, we are called to look forward to this day with great anticipation. No one knows the arrival of this glorious day (1 Thessalonians 5:2), but comfort can still be found in the present. Matthew 5:4 says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted". The Lord provides for those in need. "In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).
Yes, tragedy is real. It is painful. For those of us who claim to be in Jesus who are not experiencing tragedy, we should join in mourning with those who mourn that they may feel the love and comfort of Jesus. When we see tragedy striking this sinful world, may we fall on our knees in communication with the Father. May we never lose hope in the gospel knowing what is promised and to come.
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