5 Things to Remember When Tragedy Strikes

Tragedy is all over the world. Hurricane Harvey, personal issues, issues with our country, issues with our world. We live in a world that’s just messed up. This past Sunday, Pastor Kevin from Gardendale First Baptist preached on 5 theological truths when tragedy strikes. We didn’t have an outline as usual, so I grabbed my notebook and took notes. Maybe you’re going through a tough time, a hard season. Maybe you don’t understand what God is doing in your life. This week, I want to share my notes I took from the sermon. You can watch the sermon for yourself HERE.

1) It’s OK to Grieve
• If you don’t grieve properly, it will stay with you.
• Sometimes you want to get mad or be away from people.
• Love God, Hate people? NO!
• Love God, Love People

2) Tragedies Will Happen in this Life
• You can’t love God enough to be insulated from trouble.
• Jesus says, “In this world, you WILL have trouble.”
• God is eventually going to make everything ok.
• We live in a sin-sick world.

3) Stay Connected! Don’t Withdraw
• If you don’t stay connected, the enemy is getting what he wants.
• At some point you will experience trouble.
• DO NOT run from God!
• RUN TO God!
• Worship Him with everything you’ve got!
• Don’t do life alone.
• Worship is powerful in your pain!

4) Focus on the Direction, Not the Destination
• “When thinking” (When I get this or that, then I’ll truly be happy) NEVER makes you truly happy.
• Don’t worry about tomorrow! (I personally need to work on this.)
• This is the day God has made; live for God! We are not promised tomorrow.
• Head in the right direction, God will take you to your destination.
• Stop living for something that MIGHT or MIGHT NOT happen. (Another thing I need to work on.)
• It’s about the journey, not the destination.

5) God cares about your pain!
• If you let Him, God will take what the enemy meant for evil and will turn it for good.
• Jesus loves us for who we are!
• He cares for us!

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